Fans were on the table cheering for their favorite bands to decide the winner of Battle of the Bands Wednesday night at the 7th Street Underground.

In a close call between Learn to Fly and Little Boy Jr., Little Boy Jr., Little Boy Jr. was ultimately rewarded the prize of $100 to Positively Fourth Street Records and the opportunity to play a set at Panther Stock, where they will be opening for American English.

Dan Lazzarotto, who plays guitar and sang for Little Boy Jr., Little Boy Jr., said winning felt great, but he gave credit to the crowd that came to see them.

The members of the band said they had only been able to practice three times with their new drummer and keyboard player before the show.

Matt Caponera, who plays keyboard, said he was worried it would be a mess, but when they played, it just flowed together.

Scott Fritz, who plays the drums, said he just had fun playing with the band in the show.

“And that’s what it’s all about. and the music,” Caponera added.

Four bands each played 20-minute sets. The bands included Friday Night Villain, Learn to Fly, Little Boy Jr. and Hero Complex.

Even though the event started out with a large crowd, half of it left before the show was over.

Freshman English major Heather Miller went to cheer on her friend in Little Boy Jr. but left shortly after they finished their set.

Miller said they left because they were only there to see their friends perform. She said others were probably doing the same.

“It’s all we could ask for,” Lazzarotto said about their crowd.

Adri Andreou, a senior elementary education major, agreed with Miller that people probably left after they heard the band they wanted to hear.

Andreou said she came in to the show late but thought it was especially impressive for something Eastern put on.

Lauren Phillips, a sophomore communications studies major, emceed the event and sang original songs for the crowds in between the sets.

Phillips said she plays a lot of Open Mic nights so University Board asked her to emcee the show.

She said she was glad to have a variety of bands performing.

“The bands all had a unique style,” Philips said.

Sara Cuadrado can be at 581-7942 or at slcaudrado@eiu.edu.

Adam, the bassist from Learn to Fly shows off his talent for the Battle of the Bands 2008 contest at 7th Street Underground Wednesday night. (Rachel Gasperin/Daily Eastern News)

(more…)