Congratulations to week 1 winners, The Etchings

Congratulations to The Etchings! They collected the most online votes last week, which wins them a spot in our first live quarterfinal, which will take place Saturday, November 27, at Nietzsche’s (21+).

It’s BACK! The one and only Artvoice Battle Of Original Music (BOOM)—where original bands from our area submit their material, perchance to be chosen as one of the lucky few who then stand before you on this page, in the fiery crucible of public opinion—that you might visit boom.artvoice.com and listen to their tune.

Then, if they have what it takes to win your approval, they will collect the most online votes this week and win a coveted spot in our FIRST LIVE QUARTERFINAL, which will take place Saturday, November 27, at Nietzsche’s (21+).

Over the course of four weeks, you will be introduced to eight of the best original acts that have thus far submitted a photo, an original mp3, and filled out our rigorous questionnaire. Each week, the popular online vote will decide who proceeds to the live show where four acts will square off in a no-holds-barred extravaganza of local original music.

That night at Nietzsche’s, each audience member will be given one ballot on which to cast his or her vote for his or her favorite band. At the end of the night, when the tally is completed, only one will have won the right to perform in the Artvoice BOOM Grand Finale—the battle royale, winner-take-all live blowout where one talented act will walk away with unspeakable prizes, a handsome wad of cash, and the eternal privilege to proclaim themselves Artvoice BOOM Grand Champions!

This week, we give you Social Scientists and The Great Mistake. Take a moment to meet them on this page. Cast ONE vote for the one you like best. Through the magic of the digital age, we will tabulate the voting and announce this week’s winner in next week’s print edition. That band will be the first to secure a coveted spot on the bill for the November 27 show (21+).

A word of warning however: Bands that attempt to stuff the ballot by submitting multiple votes will be rooted out using the most sophisticated intelligence software available on the black market. (Well, okay, that’s a bluff, but if you try to fool our IT guy you will be caught. Just ask the FBI…he’s that good. And if that happens, you will be disqualified with nowhere to appeal our decision.)

There’s still time for artists to enter. Just visit boom.artvoice.com. In the meantime, check out this week’s contestants, and may the best band win.

The Great Mistake	Social Scientists
You must have the latest Adobe Flash Player installed to listen to the BOOM! contestants.	You must have the latest Adobe Flash Player installed to listen to the BOOM! contestants.
When/where did the band form? A long time ago, in the depths of Joe’s parents’ basement (an idyllic West Seneca ranch home), four extremely volatile elements were brought together and amidst the resulting chaos and immense heat, the unmistakable sounds of The Great Mistake were forged. Or something. Band members: Joe Castanza: vocals, keys, guitar, disclaimers / Will Webb: bass, vocals, keys, glockenspiel, cellphone / Steve Abramowski: drums, tambourine, fury / Chris Buczkowski: guitar, keys, glockenspiel, crazy ideas You might like us if you like: Eels, Dredg, Ben Folds, The Postal Service, The Flaming Lips, MGMT, Silverchair, etc... Best show played: Hmm, I don’t know, we’ve played so many. I think the Wave to the Astronaut release show was pretty awesome. Good turnout, lots of compliments, some sales, but most importantly, free pizza. Why you should win the Artvoice.com Online Battle of Original Music: We’ve got an interesting sound, our album is pretty kick-ass, and we’re all swell guys, so why shouldn’t we win? Website: TGMband.com	When/where did the band form? Mid 2009, in Buffalo, New York. Band members: Bill Eager: vocals, keyboards / Steve Heatley: guitar / Doug Tewksbury: guitar, keyboards / Josh Kwoka: drums / Keith Szczygiel: bass You might like us if you like: British alt-rock, alt-country, with a hint of 80’s pop. Evokes hints of Doves, Radiohead, and Coldplay. Best show played: It was probably our CD release show at Mohawk Place. We had an incredible atmosphere, we played our hearts out, and had a tremendous amount of fun with the crowd. We also had a light show that was unexpected and really added another level to the show. Why you should win the Artvoice.com Online Battle of Original Music: We’re interested in creating truly original and catchy music, in a style and sound you won’t hear from other bands in the area. We’re always writing and trying new things (which always ends up in enormous amounts of equipment on stage!) and we try to make every show and every song as engaging and exciting for our audience as possible. Website: listn.to/socialscientists