They won the battle. Now they must try to win the war.
The Greg Talmage band will perform Nov. 1 at The Roux House after performing at a benefit concert in Lafayette this Saturday.
The band proved worthy at Student On Target’s Battle of the Bands earlier this month. The group won the contest and the prize package, which included two 10-hour recording sessions at a studio and one master session. It will also perform at Groovin’ on the Grounds, a free concert held in April.
The Greg Talmage band consists of four members: frontman Greg Talmage, bassist Nick Spano, lead guitarist Brandon Bagby and drummer Zach Ingram.
The band opened under the name Greg Talmage and the Marco Polo’s but changes its name every show.
“We think it’s funny,” he said. “We have been called Greg Talmage and the Lazy Eyed Gentlemen, Greg Talmage and the Suicidal Tacos.” Bagby said the name additions are used only for shows.
Spano, construction management junior, said the band members’ friendship contributed to their success.
“We are a cohesive band; we are comfortable with each other,” Spano said. “We aren’t just four guys playing on stage.”
Talmage, University alumnus, said one reason he entered the contest was to meet local musicians.
“We were all looking forward to meeting other bands,” he said. “All I wanted to do was hang out and talk with them before we played. Just because of that, it didn’t matter if we won.” Bagby said he was in “complete shock” when they won.
The band’s new album “The Way it Goes” will be released in early November.
“We finished recording our album a while ago, and it is being mastered in New York,” Spano said. “But if we use the [Battle of the Band’s] prize package, we may do an acoustic album and release it on iTunes. If not, there are several local bands we like a lot so we may give it to them.”
Spano said the band entered Battle primarily to play at Groovin’ on the Grounds.
“I’m ecstatic about playing at Groovin’,” Talmage said. “It is such a big event, and we get to open for a big band.”
Additional information for Groovin’ on the Grounds will be released at a later date.
The band formed about a year ago in a quick assembly.
“I was brainstorming with Brandon at The Chimes for members to a band,” Talmage said. “I had a show the next week and needed a complete band.”
He said he and Bagby made a few phone calls for a practice session.
“We wrote eight songs in two days,” Bagby said. “After the show, we had such a good time we continued to write and perform together.” Talmage said he still does some solo acoustic shows. The band has big upcoming plans and goals, apart from releasing a debut full-length album.
“We will apply to play at Jazz Fest next year, as well as Austin City Limits,” Talmage said. “However, our main goal is to find a booking manager.”
Talmage said he wants to play music for a living.
“I graduated in family, child and consumer sciences,” he said. “Music is the only reason I’m not pursuing a job in that area. If this doesn’t work out, I may go to grad school.”
Spano said the band has great potential.
“Well, every band thinks they are the best ever,” he said. “But if you aren’t enthusiastic about your music, you shouldn’t be doing this.”
—Contact Ashley Norsworthy at [email protected]