“NEW PORT RICHEY BAND WINS ROCK-OFF”
April 25, 2006
“NEW PORT RICHEY BAND WINS ROCK-OFF”
***** for immediate release *****
Thoreau
THOREAU, a four-piece hard rock band from New Port Richey, took top honors in the Finals of FLARO10, the 10th Annual Florida Rock-Off competition for original high school bands, held Sunday at Gasoline Alley in Clearwater.
THOREAU, which represented Gulf and River Ridge High Schools, delivered a powerful set of well-crafted hard rock/alternative/metal compositions before a very affirming and approving crowd of screaming fans and supportive adults.
“Their identity as a band and the strength of each member’s performances unquestionably set THOREAU apart,” said Louis Philippe, FLARO Producer and President of Reindeer Records, an indie label that presents the annual competition. “This band was prepared, consistent and confident and now these guys are ready to set their sites on higher goals.”
The prize package included $1,000 from Reindeer Records, plus the well-earned title, “Best Young Band In Florida.” In addition, well-known area Entertainment Lawyer Kevin D. Astl donated a free entertainment consultation, and acclaimed producer John Hughes of Ronin Music donated a free pre-production session.
Both Astl and Hughes were part of the judging panel that also included Brett Towards, a music mangement/marketing upstart from Lakeland; Amir DaBiri, bassist/songrwriting from the popular local band Mr. Bella; Ricky Laub, drummer, formerly with Initial Doubt, winners of FLARO8; and Jason Flynn of Gasoline Alley.
THOREAU was one of five finalists who gave the judging panel much to consider. Other bands included GOOD GRAEFF (Riverview HS, Sarasota), GOOD QUESTION (Cypress Lake HS, Fort Myers), SKANTLY PREPARED (St. Petersburg HS) and SLANDER (East Lake HS, Tarpon Springs).
Many bands and individual musicians were recognized for various achievements and outstanding performances (regardless of where their band placed in the ranks). [A complete list of awards follows].
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FLARO10 AWARDS
BEST MARKETABILITY
1st – HELLER HALTER
2nd – SLANDER
3rd – THOREAU
BEST LIVE SHOWCASE
1st – GOOD QUESTION
2nd – THOREAU
3rd – EXILE
BEST SONGWRITING: MUSIC
1st – John Paul, Mike Perry (Skantly Prepared)
2nd – Brooke Graeff
3rd – Francis Biondi, Greg Demers, Brandon Gerhard, David Marren (Slander)
BEST SONGWRITING: LYRICS
1st – John Paul, Mike Perry (Skantly Prepared)
2nd – Brooke Graeff
3rd – Rebekah Bowsher, Stephen Gauthier, David Vicente (Heller Halter)
ORIGINALITY:
1st – GOOD GRAEFF
2nd – SKANTLY PREPARED
3rd – HELLER HALTER
BEST ORIGINAL MATERIAL:
1st – SKANTLY PREPARED
2nd – GOOD GRAEFF
3rd – HELLER HALTER
BEST DRUMS:
1st – Mark Marshall/Exile
2nd – Josh Cochran/Good Graeff
3rd – Shawn Nichols/Thoreau
BEST BASS:
1st – Mike Perry/Skantly Prepared
2nd – Rob Sawyer/Exile
3rd- TIE: Brandon Gerhard/Slander
Cory Koss/Pound Cake
BEST GUITAR:
1st – Karlton Tillman/Exile
2nd – Cory Garcia/Pound Cake
3rd – TIE: Sam Faust/Good Question
Brooke Graeff/Good Graeff
BEST VOCALS:
1st – Brian Sutherland/Good Question
2nd – Cory Garcia/Pound Cake
3rd – TIE: Francis Biondi/Slander
Brooke Graeff/Good Graeff
PRODUCER’S AWARD:
HELLER HALTER
F10 WINNERS: THOREAU
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