Tweed Heads drummer Zak Britton played his first live gig as a drummer back in April at the first Battle of the Bands and he hasn’t stopped since.
In fact Zak, 17, loves performing live so much that he will compete with two bands in the two heats of the second Battle at Tweed Heads Civic Centre on September 2 and 3.
The Tweed River High Year 12 student, who learned guitar for five years before playing the video game Guitar Hero and switching to drums, said the first Battle was an amazing springboard for his and other local bands.
“Ever since the first battle our band Zero Point Energy has been getting shows all over the place,” Zak said of his first band – which made the finals last time and is hoping to go one step better this time.
“It will be a chance to show people how far we’ve come since that first battle.
“It is a competition but everyone is so supportive – everyone is there to have fun.”
However Zak may find himself torn between two bands on finals night with the young drummer also entered with his new band Arcanine.
“Battle of the bands will be their first gig too,” he laughed saying he had been asked to join the band, which is more punk than the metal rock of Zero Point Energy, a couple of months ago.
He said after his experiences last time he knew that Battle would be the perfect place for the new band to make it’s public debut.
And Zak’s involvement with the contest doesn’t end there – he’s so keen to be a part of the Battle this time that he’s lending his drum kit to all the bands for the heats so they don’t have to keep dragging their own kits on and off the stage.
Organiser Kristie Hedley, secretary of Safer Communities Aliance who came up with the event, said it the competition had proven to be a big hit both with the bands who entered and the kids who came along.
She said this time there had been interest from bands from Brisbane to Coffs Harbour and there was an interesting cross section of styles from rock through to hip-hop, pop and folk.
“The aim of the Tweed Battle of the Bands is to create an entertainment option for Under 18’s on the Tweed,” music fan Kristie said.
“ This event is great because not only does it give Under 18’s somewhere safe to see live local music but it also gives some really talented young musos the opportunity to play a big stage (often their first stage ever), get their name out there and hone their craft.”
Kristie said one of the main aims was also to involve young people in the organisation and running of the event as much as possible.
“As we did in April, we again have Event students from Kingscliff High and Tweed River High and this time we also have Hospitality students jumping on board to help out with food and beverage. Our poster was designed by a young local girl, Miranda Lloyd, who was chosen by our Facebook members in an online poster comp.
“Even though Rhiannon (her assistant Rhiannon Brinsmead) and I work like trojans leading up to the event, on the night we take a big step back and let the young guns run the show.”
The first event back in April had an amazing turn out and unearthed a lot of great bands according to Kristie.
“The message we got was that the Under 18’s community wanted more.
“This time round we have had so many entries we have extended the length of the two heats and have a waiting list of bands we just couldn’t fit in. We hope the turn-out is even better this time round.
“Sylvia Roylance of Council has been a great support again and we have received some Council funding this time round but if there are any local businesses out there who would like to get behind this great event and help to keep it going year after year, we’d love to hear from you.”
The Battle of The Band initiative began from an idea by the Safe Communities Alliance, prompted by the bashing of Sam Ford last year.
The group started life lobbying for more police, however the group also began looking for things for the region’s youth to do.
The first heat will be held at the Tweed Civic Centre on Friday, September 2 and the second on September 3. The final will be held the following week. Entry is just $10 and Under 18s are welcome.
