Up-and-comers enjoying the ride

RIDING on Buses has won the first Band Booth Battle in Dandenong.
The up-and-coming rock act took out the first prize – 12 months of professional music management – after defeating runner-up Heartless Vendetta by just one point in the battle of the bands style competition.
The Band Booth Battle on Saturday 20 October saw 10 bands from across Melbourne take to the new studios of Dandenong’s Band Booth to perform their best music before judges.
Band Booth owner, Shane Harman, said he was impressed with the young local talent on offer.
Bands on the day included: The Choicecuts, The Playground, Monkey Puzzle, Heartless Vendetta, Me You and the Other 2, Asoma, Three Last Words, Machiavelli, Riding on Buses and Picture Perfect Skies.
Mr Harman said Riding on Buses won first prize with the band’s “smooth, polished, melodic tunes and classy dynamic guitar grooves”.
“Unlucky to miss the major prize was Heartless Vendetta,” he said.
“Their fresh, exciting sound, fronted by an accomplished frontman, delivering versatile and faultless vocals, found themselves one point short (of first place).”
Third place went to Machiavelli which Mr Harman said has “a slightly heavier groove, but all round a tight, polished, professional performance.
The songwriting award was shared between The Playground for their infectious tune, Taxi Cab Confessions, and fellow band Three Last Words for its classic punk single, Drive.
“A special mention goes to Belinda from Monkey Puzzle, who displayed an amazing vocal performance, delivering a number of powerful moments,” Mr Harman said.
The winners Riding on Buses can be seen supporting Noiseworks on Friday 26 October at Ferntree Gully Hotel, from 6.30pm.
Mr Harman encouraged people to get behind the raw talent of the up and coming band. For more information on the gig, and others, go to www.myspace.com/ridingonbuses
For more information about The Band Booth rehearsal studio contact Shane Harman on 0411 460 793.