Congratulations to our Round 1 winners, The Etchings!

Congratulations to The Etchings! They collected the most votes in our first live Quarterfinal at Nietzsche’s this past Saturday. That victory wins them a slot in the BOOM Grand Finale, coming up this spring. It was a packed house Saturday, and all the bands put on a great show—so thanks again to the Lower Town Trio, Social Scientists, and Autopunch. All great bands worth checking out next chance you get.

This week begins round two, featuring more of the best original acts that have thus far submitted a photo, an original mp3, and filled out our rigorous questionaire. Each week, the popular online vote decides who proceeds to the live show where four acts square off in a no-holds-barred extravaganza of local original music. The next live show will be January 14.

That night at Nietzsche’s (21+), 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 FudgyChewy and Suffolk & Rain. Take a moment to meet them on this page and listen to their music. Finally, 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.

A word of warning however: Bands attempting 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 the contest. Just visit boom.artvoice.com to find out how. In the meantime, check out this week’s contestants, and may the best band win.

FudgyChewey	Suffolk & Rain
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.
Band members: Micaela - vocals / Steven - production, guitar, vocals / Kevin - production, drums, vocals When/where did the band form? FudgyChewy formed in the summer of 2007, Buffalo, NY. You might like us if you like: Flava Flav, Prince Far-I, Malcolm McLaren and the Brazilian Girls taking a midnight joyride in Bambaataa’s dubbed-out Prius, rinsing “King Tubby meets Kylie Minogue Uptown” on blast. Best show played: The sets we played at Staples and Nietzsche’s.. Great sound and vibezing abound. Why you should win the Artvoice.com Online Battle of Original Music: The strength of Love will overpower all… Website: www.myspace.com/fudgychewy	Band members: Jen Rivera - vocals / Dan Schultz - drums / Seth Sim - bass guitar / Bob Besant - guitars When/where did the band form? Early 2010 in Buffalo, NY. You might like us if you like: Radiohead, Led Zeppelin, Wilco, the Black Keys, the Raconteurs. Best show played: Nietzsche’s and Club Diablo. Great crowds with lots of energy. Why you should win the Artvoice.com Online Battle of Original Music: We deserve to win BOOM because we love Buffalo and our music is unique, full of energy an emotion, which represents the city and it’s people. To win would be a great honor! Website: www.myspace.com/suffolkrain