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The March Madness Battle of the Bands is under way. As I have written extensively in this column, this is a yearly competition that I organize and run. It takes place every weekend in March. I quietly advertise throughout the year for South Carolina bands that want to compete. I then work out dates with a local music venue. I put as many bands as I can squeeze into the dates that I have available. This year the four highest scoring winning bands of the six preliminary rounds advance to a final round when they will compete for $500 plus a portion of the proceeds from the door that night. You can check out more at: ozziethedog.com.

The first night set the tone for what was to come. A wide variety of genres of rock music were represented. Casa-Nova kicked things off with a mixture of pop, progressive, and hard rock. Tight and professional and talented beyond their years (they are all still in high school), I was very surprised when they told me that it was their very first show together.

Up next was local instrumental/electronica/rock band Flood Empty Lakes. I have, in the past, mixed sound for many bands of this genre including: Birdsongs from the Mezazoic (which featured John Zorn as well as members of Tangerine Dream), and modern soundscape pioneers Mazerati. I can tell you that Flood Empty Lakes compares very favorably to the bands at the top of this genre. www.floodemptylakes.com.

But the winning band for that first night was The Healing. Blending blues, jazz, reggae, rock and funk, they delivered a smooth and danceable set that was every bit as beautiful as it was rocking. Singer/guitarist Tommy (no last name, just like Cher or Madonna) guitar and vocals were mesmerizing while the rhythm section provided a steady but complex beat underneath.

Now, here is the scoop on the second night.

Jasmine Pilling (a Wando High School student who helps me with this column) reviewed it for me :

First up was Obscene Machine, led by teenage music man Charlie Kendall on guitar. Charlie and his fellow band mate, Nick Mullane the bassist, shared lead vocals. The songs were original, and easy to dance too. Bringing the beat in this band was sophomore drummer Tanner Cooper, formally the drummer for Coletrain. Tanner was on beat, and in tune with another twist Obscene Machine had for the show, a saxophone player. Clark Keagy rocked the sax, bringing a soulful almost bluesy touch to the band, as well as kept the audience on their feet. Obscene Machine played all originals, written by Nick and Charlie themselves. They closed the set with my personal favorite, "Caught in your Undertow", with the crowd smiling and yelling out their names.

Around 11 p.m. Fallen Kings from Columbia, S.C., took the stage. The foursome composed of Josh Holden on guitar and lead vocals, Scott Murff on bass, Chris Chafin on lead guitar, and DeMario Jones playing the drums. This alternative rock group new to the stage at the Dough Re Mi, made a new fan base and a name for their selves in the Charleston area. Fallen Kings have a new album coming out this summer, be sure to keep these boys in mind when looking for a hit summer play list. Check them out at www.myspace.com/fallenkingsmusic

Last but not least, The Makeshift was on. Shane Skidmore in the lead, followed by keyboardist and guitar player Matthew Kilby shared vocals and instruments. Switching on and off from one of them playing lead guitar to another adding sweet tunes from the keyboard. The Makeshift was all smiles, and the audience loved it. On bass guitar, Drew Broughton a junior at Wando High School, and drummer Evan Forbes a senior, took rhythm to a whole different level, mixing up sounds, beats, and notes. Shane had the Dough Re Mi dancing and screaming for an encore by the end of the set, while Matthew had fans singing the lyrics back to him and along with their original songs.

All three bands Saturday night were a sight to see. They brought their all, and the audience and judges were there first hand to recognize the talent and determination these bands had to offer.

Unfortunately there could only be one winner. In third place was Obscene Machine bringing in the least amount of points, but still a good amount of points. In second place, Fallen Kings. First place for Saturday night's round was The Makeshift.

There are two preliminary nights coming up this weekend at A Dough Re Mi, both Friday and Saturday Night at 10 p.m. There is a $5 cover charge. We will continue our coverage of the battle in next week's column.

(Stu Johnson can be contacted at sjohnson@allnightkungfu.com. Jasmine Pilling, a Wando High School student, is a frequent contributor to the East Cooper Music Scene.)