The sounds of shredding guitars and heavy bass lines were better fit for the stage of some seedy bar, not the battered stage of Rezac Auditorium.

Still, participants of Battle of the Bands managed to put on a show fit for a sold out crowd. While this year there were only two bands competing, both had a common goal: they wanted to play good music, and they wanted to win, and StuCo gave them that opportunity.

The night began with The Noise, composed of juniors Erick Echegaray on guitar, Gavin Larios on bass, Jack Matthews on drums and Marcel Chlupsa on guitar. Each member had his moment on vocals as well. The band was high energy with every song they played, and was even more charismatic between songs. Larios provided plenty of banter between members of the band and audience members, who had all ditched their seats and flocked to stand in front of the stage by the first song. The Noise played two covers and seven original songs, giving their setlist a diverse sound.

Members of The Noise were all relatively pleased with their performance.

“We did battle of the bands for the love of music. I love the feeling playing music and playing live music, especially with an audience like that, it’s really fun,” junior Erick Echegaray said.

The Noise put on an explosive show, ending the night with an (almost) smashed guitar courtesy of Echegary.

After The Noise was Captain Funkatron and the Intergalactic All-stars, or Funkatron for short.

The band consists of seniors Ethan Levin on guitar, Nathan McClendon on bass, Rachel Chang on keyboard and junior Jack Matthews takes the stage once again on drums. Again, every member had their moment when they took the mic on lead vocals. Funkatron took the stage accompanied by some severed mannequins, helping to set the scene for their set.. As soon as the first song started, McClendon pumps out the classic bassline of “Hysteria” by Muse, and you can see it in every member that they are happy to be on stage.

“Being on stage is fun because not only are you allowed to be stupid, but you’re encouraged to be stupid,” McClendon said.

For every participant of Battle of the Bands, the love for the music was obvious.

“Everybody has something to say, either an issue or an insecurity or a need to dance around like an idiot on stage, and we just wanted a way to express that,” senior Ethan Levin said. “Music affects my life in so many ways. I’m one of those people that if I’m digging a song I’m happy or if I’m feeling down, music is one of the best ways to curve my mood or find sympathy with it,” Levin said. “If something goes wrong in my day I can always go home and just pluck something out.”

Levin’s view on music was wholeheartedly shared by their bassist, Nathan McClendon.

“Music is cool because it’s a form of self expression,” McClendon said. “Every art is different but I think music is really special in its ability to communicate emotions and feelings in a deeper way that words aren’t really capable of doing.”

At the end of the night, members of Funkatron walked away with the hundred dollar prize, and one lucky audience member left with Echegary’s damaged guitar.