Keep the rhythm alive: Felonious Monk returns to take grand prize at Battle of the Bands

Published 2:17 pm Tuesday, May 15, 2012

Nearly 200 people enjoyed creative, original music at the annual Cedarcrest Battle of the Bands April 21. Seven bands, all younger than 21, came from Snoqualmie, Sammamish, Bellevue, Carnation and Duvall.

Music ranged from the Pink Floyd-esque sounds of CHS’s The Paramounts to Ithaca’s indie rock from Mount Si, to the danceable grungy reggae of Duvall’s That’s Cashed.

New-wave jazz band Felonious Monk, who took second place last year, won with tight musicianship by guitarist Ben Parrish, interwoven with Taylor Cramer’s smokin’ sax, held down by bass player Zach Malek, and Parker Malek on vibes.

Judges were KPLU DJ Abe Beeson, Jason Clackley and Nick Merz of Ground Zero, musician Raven and Alexa Peden, of Duvall’s Teen Summerstage. Ithaca took second, followed by Smote, The Paramounts, That’s Cashed, Max Wang and Elch.

The show was a benefit for RHYTHM (Riverview Helping Youth to Have Music), which funds musical opportunities in the Riverview School District.

Sponsors were American Music, Bailey’s CC Espresso, Blake’s Pizzeria, Ground Zero, Ixtapa, Lazy K’s, Pickle Time, Sea & Air Transport, Top of the Hill Music Studio, and Valley Mail and Locksmith, Duvall Civic Club and the City of Duvall.

Volunteers were Ryan Lewis, CHS music director, Davis Bonebrake, Evan Eaton, Riley Bir, Carson Wilk, Carly Christensen, Miles Denison, Matthew Bergvinson, Paul Hanover, Riley Wilk and Deborah Wilk.

For more information and photos, go to http://chsbattle.info.

Winning second place at the Cedarcrest Battle of the Bands was Ithaca, a Mount Si High School-student band. Below: Ithaca’s Liam Wright on stage.