PORTLAND band Since Tuesday cleaned up at the Mount Gambier Battle of the Bands at Shadows Entertainment Complex on Saturday, winning five of seven awards.
This year’s competition boasted a line-up of seasoned acts and a number of young groups making their battle debut.
Rehashed, Stokes, Bittersweet Fall, Swooped Paradox, Problem Child, Awoken, The Vile Violets, Since Tuesday, Willoism, Late for Practice and Coming up Milhouse rocked the venue from 1.30pm.
Since Tuesday, a five-piece acoustic band from across the border, impressed judges April Mahoney, Jacob Bradley, Tom Wilson and Scott Maxwell.
“The atmosphere went up a notch as soon as they started,” judging manager Dennis O’Carroll said.
“We do not often hear harmony vocals at the battle of the bands and we have not for as far back as I can remember and these girls harmonised absolutely beautifully.
“The bass player, lead singer, keyboard player and drummer from that band won individual awards – it was almost a clean sweep.”
He said Beau Dixon, who was crowned best drummer, played a Cajon box drum in place of a traditional drum kit.
“That win was a little controversial because he was on the cajon drum – we are thinking about changing the category to best percussion next year instead,” he said.
“We have noticed the keyboard is gaining in popularity and guitars are on the decline.
“Right now keyboards are classified as other instruments, so we might add a best keyboard category too.”
O’Carroll said Mount Gambier local Dylan Leggett of Late for Practice was the “most outstanding” guitarist.
“He played a set of his solo stuff too, which was just brilliant,” he said.
“Three or four bands made their battle of the bands debut and we had a great turnout.
“Around 170 people packed the venue and it was a great atmosphere.”
