The Tribune

By JEFFARAH GIBSON Tribune Features Writer ON MARCH 31, Botanical Gardens will transform into the ultimate bandstand for Bahamian musicians, bands in particular, who are fighting for the championship title in the Battle of the Bands competition. The Bahamas has seen talent showcases in the past, but never before a grand bandstand that gathers ten Bahamian bands together on one night, at one venue, for one showdown of original live music. One group of the following ten will walk home with the title "Best Bahamian Band": Plati & Naykid-I, Stinkin' Wayz, The Illest, The Truth, 30 Something, New Entry, Kim Welcome Band, Legacy 242, Ira Storr & Spank and Avante Guarden. They will represent the Bahamas in the international competition, Global Battle of the Bands (GBOB). "We had an interest in exposing the talents of artists. The Global Battle of the Bands is an ideal opportunity. Often times bands get ignored and they do not get the respect or the appreciation they deserve. I always say this, FIFA is for those with an interest is soccer and they dream to play at the World Cup. NASA is the place for individuals who love cars and it is an amazing feeling for your country to be represented in NASA. And the Global Battle of the Bands is the place for bands all over the world. We are looking for one band that has the best potential to be successful internationally," said Ricardo Berris chairman of GBOB Bahamas. The one day competition kicks off at 2pm on March 31 at the Botanical Gardens at 2pm. After three rounds of competition the winner will be determined by the audience and a panel of judges. The audience will vote on ballots distributed with the name of each band "My instructions to the judges are fairly simply, find the band with the greatest potential for international commercial success. I then rephrase it by saying, Imagine that you are the owner of a major record company and you are looking for a band that will generate sales in an international marketplace," said Seretse Small, GBOB Jamaica champion. The fact that Jamaica won the GBOB competition last year has inspired local artists. Plati from Plati & Naykid-I said the Jamaica win means "any of us can have the chance". "We entered this competition because there is no other opportunity in this country for outsider bands like ourselves. We are a rock band and we have a few venues that are rare, scattered and supported by a few. We saw this as an opportunity to highlight our talents on a more national scale," he said. While the stakes are high, as the winner will be able to compete in the Global Battle of the Bands, the groups are looking to have fun. "We decided to enter the competition because it is a legitimate competition and it is the first of its kind to come to the Bahamas. It is something that is going to carry Bahamian music abroad. It is the only way that Bahamian music is actually going to get out. Hopefully the competition has longevity and it goes on from year to year," said Willis, lead singer of the Illest. Win or lose, Avante Guarden is seeking to attract a new following. They also hope to grab the attention the movers and shakers in the music industry. Juda of The Truth band said he looks forward to the competition showing the diversity of Bahamian musicians. "Our band plays a blend of different genres. We fuse jazz elements of alternative rock, pop and many other sounds. I feel like it is a good opportunity to shed light on our music not only locally but internationally as well. It will also show the world that the Bahamas isn't just rake n scrape but many different genres. We will show the world what we have to offer."