Bands will battle in event at Lakeside

Audio war will be waged Saturday at the Lakeside High School Battle of the Bands.

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Six rock bands will compete at Lakeside's semi-annual show.

At least one member in each band must attend a school in Columbia County to compete, said Don Clauson, an event coordinator.

"It's a chance for the kids around Columbia County schools to be heard and it's a place for them to play," he said.

The event has been held for many years, but this year coordinators have included a new twist.

During past shows, attendees paid $5 for a ticket at the door and used that ticket to vote for their favorite band. This year, people at the event can purchase extra tickets for $1 each and vote more than once for a band, Clauson said.

Each band plays a 30-minute set beginning at 7 p.m.

The bands set up at opposite ends of Lakeside's Commons area and play until about 10 p.m.

The application fee for each band in $25. The band that receives the most votes wins the money from all the entry fees.

"The ones who win are the ones who usually have the following and get the bigger crowd in there that night," Clauson said.

"It's a good launching pad."

The music doesn't vary much, Clauson said.

Most bands stick to playing hard rock.

Several winning bands from past shows, including Glass Bottom Boat and The Mood, have continued their musical aspirations beyond winning the battle.

All proceeds from the event benefit Lakeside's Parent-Teacher-Student Association and are used for different projects.

For more information, contact Don Clauson at (706) 868-0520 or dclauson@thomson-mcduffie.net or contact Annette Shipp at (706) 860-4760 or kws11158@aol.com.