Battle of the Bands

“I want you to clap,” shouts Vega Under Fire front man Brian Blount, “but I want you to clap like this.” He raises his arms above his head, his hands barely visible above the mass of young fans jostling in front of the makeshift stage, and begins a double time percussive clap. In a second the audience has followed suit, and Lucky’s @ 951 is filled with the staccato rhythm of steady, excited clapping.

A beat breaks through the fan’s noisy fray as percussionist Aaron Maloney begins pummeling his drums. The blare of Brad Shellito’s guitar flies from the amps, and the room is filled with music. Blount takes the mic, and with a hand clasped tight around it and lips pressed close, he begins to sing.

Photo by SARAH FELDBERG

It’s a Tuesday night, but Lucky’s is at capacity. A table has been dragged out of a corner booth to make room for the three bands on the evening’s line up, and a sliver of dance floor carved from amongst the tables is packed with high schoolers and recent grads. It is the second week of Naples’ month plus long Battle of the Bands at Lucky’s @ 951. Tonight’s genre theme is pop/rock, and local SWFL bands Chaefin, Vega Under Fire and Scientist vs. Werewolf are taking turns on “stage,” competing for crowd support and enough votes to make it into round two.

Dressed up as mall variety hipsters, tight jean-ed emo-ites, beach bums and prepsters, the fans all seem to know each other. They push up against the floor amps, practically sitting on the laps of the battle’s first contestants, acoustic/indie/reggae band Chaefin.

“We call it beach music,” says Chaefin guitarist Corey Meilsen. Corey and his two band-mates glide through a gentle set of laid back reggae infused indie pop. The crowd grooves cautiously, swaying to the beat tapped out on the bongos and the swerving notes of lead singer Andrew Stamps’ vocals.

Second on tonight’s set list is Vega Under Fire. By the time they take over the throng is fully lubricated and loose (not from booze though, most are too young to drink).

“I don’t think we’ve built a fan base,” says Vega Under Fire guitarist and back up vocalist Brad Shellito before the show. “I think we’ve built a friend base.” Regardless, the bar is packed as Vega, as they’re known locally, lets loose the first enthusiastic notes.

Naples’ Battle of the Bands isn’t a talent competition. Rather, says organizer and local musician Tim Willis, it’s a popularity contest. Audience members vote for their favorite band after each Tuesday night show by writing its name on the back of their ticket and depositing it in that band’s secret ballot box – a Tupperware container with a slot cut into it and the band’s name taped on top.

Photo by SARAH FELDBERG

Brian Blount of Naples band Vega Under Fire

So far the Battle has booked over 40 bands to compete for the grand prize of $1000 cash, a prize pack from Gator Music and the chance to record a live CD at Lucky’s @ 951. Willis says they’re still accepting entries.

Around 10:30 p.m. Vega’s set reaches a glorious dance rock climax. Sweat drips from the band members’ hair, staining their shirts as they flail, sing and pander to the adoring crowd. Bassist Jason Giardina jumps into the air, holding his shining white instrument aloft. Blount croons into his microphone, and the fans shout back at him in a happy chorus. He pauses for a moment, but the words surge forward - everyone in the bar seems to know the lyrics.

After a brief rest for fresh air, break down and set up, Fort Myers rockers Scientist vs. Werewolf (SvW) take the stage at 11 p.m. With their first high-powered guitar chords the mood at Lucky’s changes once again, this time getting harder, faster and more intense. SvW rocks loud and strong for most of an hour until – close to midnight – the battle is over.

“There’s a lot of talent here,” says Chaefin guitarist Dan Spring, as the show nears its close. Next Tuesday a new crop of musicians will take over the empty booth at Lucky’s @ 951 as the Battle of the Bands rocks on for another week.

Want to go? Lucky's @ 951, 7550 Mission Hills Drive, Naples. 239.354.4430. www.luckys951.com

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