The Tribune

By NOELLE NICOLLS

Tribune Features Editor

nnicolls@tribunemedia.net

LESS than one point separated the winner from the first runner-up at the Global Battle of the Bands, Bahamas competition on Saturday.

Stinkin Wayz, the band founded by entertainer, writer and producer Kirkland "KB" Bodie, took home the title "Best Band in the Bahamas", edging out Ira Storr and the Spank Band in the final round of competition by half a point.

"In the last round, there was an increase in energy compared to other rounds. I think people really started to perform as if their life depended on it," said international judge Seretse Small, CEO of Griot music and the Jamaican GBOB franchise.

Hard rock band Avant Guarden and reggae fusion band the Illest were the third and fourth finalists.

Brent Justice, Junka artist and music producer at the Junka Shack Studio, said it was the first time he saw a set-up of such high quality outside of Atlantis.

"It happens over at Paradise Island all the time, but this is the first time on a local level and it is really great for the business. This is the standard we would hope for and expect all of the time. It is something we should build on and not fall below," he said.

Island Pearls International and Zamar Production Company are responsible for the live shows at Atlantis. They also produced the GBOB Bahamas competition, working for event organisers GBOB Bahamas Company and the Counsellors Limited.

"The event demonstrated that the population is thirsty for live original content," said Ricardo Berris, chairman of GBOB Bahamas.

The contest was judged on musicianship, vocal ability, originality, appeal and response - and the three judges also had "to find the band that has the greatest international and commercial potential", said Mr Small.

He said Stinkin Wayz had "strong universal themes that a global audience could buy into and commit to and become loyal to as a fan base".

Stinkin Wayz, with their mix of rock and traditional Bahamian music they call "rock and scrape" will now head to Bucharest, Romania, in June to face bands from more than 30 countries in a bid to be named the "Best Band in the World", and land a band development package worth $100,000 and a chance to go on a world tour.

"We had a game plan for this, but now we need a game plan for Romania. We did not just approach this from a musical point. I want you to believe that psychologically we approached this. That is what we did tonight, and it was a lot of work," said KB.

• For more coverage of Global Battle of the Bands, Bahamas, including more great pictures, see the Arts and Entertainment section in Wednesday's Tribune.