On Saturday, May 30, from 4 to 7 p.m., the San Anselmo Arts Commission held its third annual Teen Battle of the Bands competition, giving 10 high school bands the platform to both perform for the local community and compete for cash prizes. The event took place at Creek Park in San Anselmo, and featured three Archie Williams-based groups. The venue was packed, and the audience created an intimate atmosphere that complemented the musicians’ electric rock and roll energy.
Ultimately, Captain Canary, a band from Novato High School, took home first place, winning 1,000 dollars; equipment from Bananas at Large, a music store in San Rafael; and a professionally produced studio recording of one of their songs. Polaris, an Archie Williams-based band, won second place, and Mason and Company third, winning 500 and 250 dollars respectively.
Each band performed three songs of their choice in under 20 minutes, eight of which were reserved for set changes. Creekside Pizza provided sponsorship and food for the event, while a panel of six star-studded judges took notes on bands’ stage presence, musical skill, and audience impact. San Rafael’s School of Rock also provided funds and support.
“The Town Council is really trying to bring arts in any form to San Anselmo, whether that be visual arts, through murals, or through more performance-based art, like music… and the Teen Battle of the Bands became one of those main ways of integrating [sound into San Anselmo],” said senior Esme Charles, a youth commissioner for the Arts Commission and volunteer at this year’s competition.
Senior Julia Wise, a youth arts commissioner and musician, conceived Teen Battle of the Bands two years ago and built the competition from the ground up. During this process, she received approval from Mattie O’Grady, the Director of Community Services for San Anselmo, on whom Julia’s initiative has left a lasting impression.
“This is my favorite event of the entire year. The [Recreation] Department produces over 30 events per year… and those are all so fun and so lovely, but there’s something so special about the community [bonding], not only over music, but over high school kids getting on a stage and having the confidence to do so in a crowd of this size,” O’Grady said.
In years prior, Teen Battle of the Bands only accepted groups based relatively close to San Anselmo, but this year, the Arts Commission allowed students from all of Marin County to register, resulting in musical representation from nine different high schools. These musicians, when they were not performing, interspersed through the crowd, sitting side-by-side on the grass, cheering on their competitors, and injecting spirit into the atmosphere even from the sidelines.
“[Teen Battle of the Bands] is definitely competitive, but once you’re here, it is really just about playing music and showing your love for it. In the end, it doesn’t really feel like it matters too much who wins and who gets what, because the whole experience is part of it,” said Daphne Gower, sophomore vocalist for the band Sammy’s Angels, an all-girl group featuring both musicians from Archie Williams and Tamalpais High School.
Although a few original songs made appearances, most bands opted for rock and roll and alternative hits, including Mason and Company, an Archie Williams-based band. Senior guitarist Mason O’Byrne, the band’s namesake, competed in the first-ever Teen Battle of the Bands, which lended him a sense of assurance going into this year’s competition.
“[The show is all] adrenaline, and after performing a lot, you get used to the feeling of being onstage. It’s definitely very fun performing live, and the build-up to it,” Mason said.
Unlike Mason and Company, other bands opted for a mellower sound, straying from rock and exploring genres like pop and country. Sammy’s Angels took this route, playing hits from ABBA and Shania Twain. Teen Battle of the Bands’ only all-female group, Sammy’s Angels projected a camaraderie that brightened up their performance, spurring audience engagement and enthusiasm.
“[Playing in an all-girls group] was amazing. In the rehearsals, everyone’s so nice to each other, and so easy to get along with, and it’s all just so fun because we’re just experiencing peak girlhood together while also making really cool music,” Daphne said. “We all got ready together, all did our makeup, and it’s just a great experience.”
Despite minor technical difficulties concerning microphone volume, Teen Battle of the Bands brought the noise, and it will return next spring for another night filled with community and unbridled talent.
