Bands Battle it Out at Nativity Catholic Church

The raucous sound of electric guitars and drums permeated the Nativity Catholic Church Youth Center Saturday night as four local youth bands took the stage in the hopes of winning a chance to record at a professional recording studio.

The church hosted its first Battle of the Teen Bands April 14 in the church's youth center, an event organized by Durant High School student and musician Dylan Rusher, a member of Nativity Catholic Church's youth ministry.

"I really love music; it's my life," said Rusher. "And I thought this would be a good opportunity to reach out to other musicians and give them a chance to perform."

Rusher said he was pleased to attract four bands for the first-time effort.

"I wasn't sure how this would play out but I was really surprised with the quality of the music and the crowd that came to cheer them on," he said.

Youth minister Justin Lantz was all in favor of Rusher's plans, viewing it as an opportunity to reach out to teens from throughout the Brandon area.

The bands battled for a chance to record two songs at Room One Studios in Tampa.

Lantz, whose own band, Smashing Heresies, opened the show, said he was impressed with the quality of the music. However, the judges could only choose one band to be the winner, and gave that title to the Christian band, Arletta.

"They showed a lot of energy and had a message that was really powerful," said Lantz.

Also performing were Seize the Day and Four Deep, both made up of students from Durant High School, and the Great Moon Race, a duo from Tampa Catholic High School.

Singer Rob Wilson won the acoustic competition, receiving a chance to record one song at Room One Studios.

"I thought the event turned out great," said Rusher. "We plan to make this an annual thing."