Last Band Standing: The Best of UVM’s Music Scene

Published April 22, 2008

By Alexander Hemmer

With the beats pounding, guitar riffs slicing through the air and the audience swaying in a mass of drunken revelry, I would have thought myself anywhere else but on campus. After all, it was a Friday night and the music coming from the stage was so tight it could have passed in any of the clubs here in Burlington or anywhere else where the electric guitar is god.

Yet there I was, in Billings North Lounge. Welcome to Last Band Standing – the ultimate jam-off to determine the opening spot at Springfest and bragging rights as UVM’s best music.

As a judge, I was supposed to evaluate the bands based on originality, stage presence, musicianship and audience response. Between the five judges and the audience vote, we were supposed to pick the best from the rest to represent UVM. Pretty simple, right? Not so much.

With twenty-three submissions (including a demo from some professors!), only the most skilled and charismatic bands were selected for the six spots at the event. Every group that stepped on stage had an irresistible, dynamic sound and a passion for what they were doing.

The Feverbreakers opened with some high charged electric mayhem that featured Rage-esque guitar and searing vocals. The Stereo Police had a laid-back, upbeat style that got everyone in a dancing mood. This was taken to the next level by the Sepia Tones, whose funky beats, bouncing guitar and improv sax made for an unforgettable jam sesh.

DJ and the Donkeys opened up with a solid rock tune channeling the spirit of 80’s guitar gods and continued the stream of high quality music. One of the older bands present was Chainlink Gunlove, who offered perhaps the most musically diverse set list. Their jammy, sometimes bluesy feel was mixed in with strong lyrics and guitar, and ended with an impressive take on the Allman Brothers’ “Whipping Post”.

Despite these amazing performances, no one could question the intensity of the Dawson Leary Project. With heavy beats and a sound reminiscent of Daft Punk, their psychedelic techno/electronica infused the crowd with an energy that got the room really going. These guys didn’t limit themselves to techno, however, as they were able to integrate some pretty difficult riffs and jams in with their pulsating base line. Fans responded with chants of “DLP!” as the band ended its set.

This combination of talent and audience involvement proved too much for the competition in the end. After the judges’ scorecards and audience votes were tabulated, the Dawson Leary Project emerged with a two-point victory over the Sepia Tones.

Six bands battled it out for over three hours, generating set after set of innovation and talent that challenged the boundaries of today’s music. But in the end, one band rose above it all and captured UVM’s highest honor for student music. The Dawson Leary Project is 2008’s Last Band Standing. The standard has been set, and DLP will return to defend its title next year. Challengers welcome.

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