The event which was organised by the Borough of Poole's Arts Development Unit was for band members aged 14-18 and it was a chance for groups formed at schools and colleges around the town to showcase their best three original songs. 

Sunstar

First on stage were Sunstar - a three-piece brought together by their shared love for the Red Hot Chili Peppers.

Their meaty set of Follow my lead, Who's to Blame, This Day finished with a saxophone flourish from lead singer, Phil.

"We want to play more gigs, try and get a record deal and go as far as it takes us. "We've all got different tastes so when we put it together, it sounds like that. We're all best friends and we're really happy about the way it's turned out." said Phil.

Cyanide

Then it was Cyanide, made up five Year 10s at Poole Grammar  who cranked out their rock metal anthems like Dream Doesn't Stop and Quiet Before the Storm. 

The lads only found out they were taking part in the heats after their guitarist had entered them on the quiet!

Another band who got together through jamming sessions at school were Checkards. 

Checkards

They were the night's only band with two girls in the line up, with a ska-driven, saxy, soulful mix of tunes like Impressions in Stone and Think Positive.  This was the biggest gig so far for the five piece: "Its really fun, it's a great opportunity," they said.


Then it was two bands who stuck their pedals to the floor and cranked up some serious rock.

The Missing Link

Jack, Jack and Jamie make up The Missing Link -  interesting fact of the night was that drummer Jamie played Del Boy's son, Damien in Only Fools and Horses 10 years ago.

But now he confesses to prefer performing on stage than on screen:
"We all put our own efforts in  - we design our own CD covers and have loads of support from friends - just to see people enjoying what we're playing is amazing."

Deadline

They were followed by Deadline who notched up the volume and lead us down some Led Zep style rock paths. 

"The crowd was well good - we want to go all the way!" said vocalist James after they came off stage.



Next, the Levites knocked out three tight, catchy tunes.  Fronted by Sam Ambrose, they got together at a Poole High School concert - performing Coldplay's The Scientist.

The Levites

"It was awesome, the atmosphere is immense." said Sam after their set. Eventually it was Sunstar who beat the Levites into second place for the title.



One of the judges, John Wilkinson - a studio engineer, who had moved to the area after working with artists like Alabama Three, Thompson Twins, Eliza Carthy said picking a winner was a difficult decision: " I was seriously impressed - all the bands were great and had original ideas."

"Sunstar who won had very good ideas and were incredibly well rehearsed - I think two or three of the bands could be commercially viable in a few years time."

John added that being outside London was not necessarily a disadvantage for young unsigned bands:  "There are loads of bands in London and there is loads of competition, but record companies do look outside London and to see what is original and marketable - the record industry is about selling records and selling fashion and style."

Steve MacLaurin, Poole's Arts in the Community Officer said: "It was a really successful event - it all came about from an e-mail from a member of one of the bands and snowballed from there. It has shown there is lots of talent amongst this age group - the standard of all the bands was really high."

All six bands will be performing again at a special showcase night at Mr Kyps in the spring. Another Battle of the Bands is planned for later in 2005.