Not just another Idol Battle of the Bands

Why is it that every competition to find musical talent usually boils down to the same formula: rock/metal bands or teen singers flouncing about, and the winner being handed an oversized check for a small amount?

"I don't get that," says Club 131's John Kunz. "The point of these contests ought to be discovering real talent and then giving them some tools to advance their career."

The desire to do something different -- and useful for bands -- is what spurred Kunz to create Project Encore, a new band competition that Club 131 at the Deltaplex will host beginning August 21. Like other contests, bands will square off each week in the elimination rounds, with the winners duking it out on November 12. But the similarities with other band contests end there.

This will not be the typical battle of the bands featuring only hard rock/metal groups, nor will it be an American Idol-style beauty contest with vocalists, says Kunz.

"We're going to have a variety of genres represented from rock to blues to country and indie music, and we expect that there will be a high level of talent and musicianship," he says, noting that Project Encore already has gotten several registrations from bands in Chicago and outside of the West Michigan area.

Bands will be judged by a panel of experts based on songwriting, stage presence, sound and audience participation. Kunz says that the contest won't be a "beauty contest" based on the band with the most fans, but added, "when two bands are close, audience participation usually puts one over the top with the judges."

Unlike other battles, the winners won't be given an oversized check with a small amount of money; instead, they'll be given tools to promote their careers, including free studio time, printing of band CDs and t-shirts, a 6-month booking contract, WSG and headline bookings, and a regular gig at Club 131. REVUE also plans to write a feature profile about the winning band in the January issue. And Forever Ink is donating $100 worth of tattoo art per band member to the winners.

To register, go to the DeltaPlex or Forever Ink, or you can register online at the Project Encore Myspace page. It costs $40 to register, and needs to be in by Wednesday, August 19.