High School Battle of the Bands Raises Funds for Japan

Students, families and fans gathered on Friday night at Bishop McGann-Mercy High School for the ninth annual Battle of the Bands. Eleven bands faced off, not only for the battle, but also to raise money for the relief effort in Japan.

In previous years proceeds raised from the bands battle benefited the Christian Foundation for Children and Aging. After a devestating earthquake and tsunami left thousands homeless in Japan in early March, students from Mercy-McGann decided to focus their efforts there.

"Over the last couple of years our proceeds have gone from the CFCA to El Salvador," Stephen Brown, the faculty event coordinator, said. "But this year, with Japan, we changed our focus. We are still working with CFCA but we also are partnering with the Catholic Relief Services."

The Catholic Relief Services is currently working with Caritas International to help provide emergency relief to the survivors of one of the biggest natural disasters in memory.

"The students have really responded this year," Brown said. "We ran a dress-down day where students could pay $3 to come to school in everyday clothes instead of their uniform. On that day, we raised $1,200."

The $8 entry fee from Friday night's event as well as proceeds from the refreshments area all went to the CFCA and CRS.

The eleven bands competing in the Battle of the Bands came from Riverhead, Center Moriches, Eastport, Mount Sinai, and Mattituck. Each band played three to four songs - one original, one cover, and one additional song of their choice.

Music for the night ranged from metal to pop rock to ska, but only one band could come out on top.

Project Thalen, a pop punk band from Mount Sinai, took first place and the $175 prize on Friday night. The Blazin' Beaverducks of Westhampton came in second and received the $150 prize. Malicious Biscuits of Center Moriches took third and received $125 and Dear Tragedy won the fourth place prize of $100.