To see a video from LSUs Battle of the Bands, click here.
From piano players singing in falsetto to rappers dancing in sunglasses, this year’s Battle of the Bands was a truly diverse event.”I see black, I see white, I see Asian,” shouted New Orleans rap artist Dee-1 to the crowd. “That’s what real music is about.”Five bands played on Tower Drive next to the Student Union on Friday night, covering genres from progressive rock to rap.Dee-1, whose real name is David Augustine, was the winner, earning the highest score from a panel of judges, which included The Daily Reveille’s entertainment editor Sarah Aycock. Acts were judged on stage presence, musicianship, professionalism and overall performance.After competing in Battle of the Bands twice, and once coming in a close second, Augustine said he was elated to finally win.”I’m so excited, I can’t even think straight,” Augustine said. “I’ve done this before, and I haven’t won. It just made me hungrier to come out and do it again.”Perhaps the most unique aspect of Augustine’s music is his lyrics. Without using a single curse word, he preaches positivity and against-the-grain thinking. He has a song dedicated to the fair treatment of females and a song titled “I Hate Money.” He even tore up what appeared to be a $100 bill on stage.”I’ve never heard someone that respected women that much,” said Virginia Richard, international studies sophomore. “It’s hard to find music that’s not demeaning to women, especially in this genre.”Augustine said his music is for everyone, a statement evidenced by the fact his extended family showed up to the show to support him. One of the most crowd-pleasing songs was his thanks to his young cousins who serve as backup dancers.”I do motivational music,” he said. “I’m trying to use my time on earth to make a positive impact.”Augustine graduated from the University in 2007 and is now a middle school teacher in New Orleans. He said his students are able to enjoy his music. “I really want to make music for everyone,” Augustine said. “Not just for black or white, not just for men or women. I put God first.” Augustine said he hopes to be a full-time recording artist, but until he gets signed to a label, his slogan remains the “One Man Army.”The runner-up in the competition was local act Leaving Brightside, who put on an energetic show and drew loyal fans with poster signs in hand.Also from New Orleans was Big Rock Candy Mountain, a progressive rock band with a unique sound utilizing synthesizers.  Two of the members are formerly of the band Fay Wray, which won the Battle of the Bands two years ago.”I thought they were probably the most original,” said Gregory Bourgeois, computer science junior.Da Future put on a lively performance complete with choreography. The hip-hop quintet met at the University as freshmen.”We always love performing at LSU,” said member Jeff Martin, communication studies senior. “It’s home. It’s where we started out.”Travis Andrews, assistant director of student involvement and co-director of Students on Target, said the Battle of the Bands was a success.In past years, the event was held in the Greek Ampitheatre, but Andrews said he moved it to Tower Drive so it was more accessible and visible to campus.”I think being on Tower Drive was a good move,” Andrews said. “Also the fewer number of bands and longer set times was a nice change.”- – – -Contact Lauren Walck at [email protected]