Boom Box 08 Battle of the Bands

April 17, 2008: A battle of the bands, titled Boom Box 08, was held in Tathra last Saturday as part of the Bega Valley Shire Youth Council Youth Week program.

The drug and alcohol-free Initiative was funded by Indent, Music NSW, Arts NSW and the Bega Valley Shire Council.

Hundreds of young people from across the shire congregated at Taylor Square for the event and the Bega Valley Shire Summer Bus project provided free buses from across the shire to and from event.

The MCs for the day where the chair of the Youth Council, Emily Criticos, and Nick Wallis of Power FM who worked the crowds into a frenzy with their giveaways and competitions.

The day began with a talented young local musician Kim Churchill who impressed the audiences with his original songs.

There was tough competition between the five local Battle of the Bands entrants - Overdrive, The Black Dots, Samantha Seymore, Distorted Water and Tom Jessop.

The judges (Pol OShea of Turringal Studios, Kim Churchill and Anna Martin) had a tough time finally deciding on Distorted Water as the overall winners with The Back Dots runner- up.

The Clean Energy For Eternity prize went to Overdrive.

Distorted Water won recording time valued at $2,000 at Turringal Studios under the guidance of Pol o’Shea who said he was impressed with band’s stage presence and was looking forward to working with them on their arrangements.

Boom Box concluded with a set from Heartbreak Club boys Teddy Hernandez (vocals), Sullo (guitar), Pablo (bass) and Carter (drums) who travelled from Sydney for the gig.

Heartbreak Club gave a humorous and entertaining performance and the band’s unique style was well received and had the crowds up dancing.

Boom Box was supported by Turringal Studios, Magpie Music, Bega Cheese, Multi Powered Products, Coast Hire, IMB, The Waste People, CDA, Misty Mountain Springs, Wykes Retravision and Clean Energy for Eternity as well as many local businesses which provided prizes and giveaways on the day.

In an effort to make the event carbon-neutral the Bega Valley Youth Council will be working with Clean Energy for Eternity on future local renewable energy projects.

Cr Fraser Buchanan thanked the current Youth Councillors (Emily Criticos, Sigrid Helland, Morgan Clancey, Cara Hay, Michael Plumb, Brooklyn Hullands, Phoebe O’Carrigan, Debbie Jardine, Lachlan Leslaighter, Danielle Holdsworth and Alysha Barnes) and Community Development Officer Emma Benton for all of their efforts in organising such a successful youth event.

"Boom Box 08 was a great finale to a week of celebrating young people in the shire and the valuable contribution that they make to our community," Ms Benton said.