UIndy Battle of Band finals
University of Indianapolis
Saturday, Feb. 17
 
The first annual University of Indianapolis Battle of the Bands proved to be a hectic night, with six student rock bands vying for the top spot in a neck-and-neck race all the way.

Jam-band rockers Paradise Regained emerged as early favorites (“I’d be surprised if they don’t end up winning the whole thing,” remarked one judge), but at evening’s end, Three Piece Suit took home the prize with nearly perfect scores and a big boost of audience participation.

“They played like a band that had been on stage together for 15 years,” said judge Scott Roddy of 97.1 Hank FM.

Radio Now 93.1 FM’s DJ Rayne concurred. “Their lead singer had the best vocals of the night,” he said. “They were having a lot of fun and not taking themselves too seriously.”

And indeed, Three Piece Suit put on a hellacious show, playing heavy guitar-driven rock right from the 1970s with overtones of KISS and Pink Floyd but a sound uniquely their own. Their efforts won them a chance to record a full-length album at Big Walnut Studios. However, they were far from the sole highpoint of the night. Same As Sunday proved their ability to wow an audience with charismatic stage presence, and Paradise Regained blazed through a high-powered set that showed you really can rock out with an acoustic guitar and violin.

The final rankings: sixth place, My Hidden Track; fifth place, Red Letter Reason; fourth place, Paradise Regained; third place, American Night; second place, Same As Sunday; first place, Three Piece Suit.