The ten semi-finalists for the 2006 Battle Of The Bands have been announced and look like the following…

• Original Lineup
• Top Down Mafia
• Kickstart
• Necromancer
• Blue Meryl
• Bad Mothers Union
• Chemical Addiction
• Morning Star
• Act Of Vengeance
• Scuba Dice

Congratulations to the ten bands who have made it to this leg - as was outlined yesterday, this is where the work really starts.

You’ve got three weeks to go away and work on your set. While there were considerations given for covers in the early stages, there won’t be in the semi final and certainly not in the final. Show your musical ability, show your originality, show what YOU are capable of - not what your favourite band can do.

Each band will be limited to FIVE songs on the day, five bands on each of the two semi finals (at present looking like Sunday October 8th and Sunday October 15th) with the final looking like Bank Holiday Sunday, October 29th where Itchy Trigger Finger will be playing as special guests on the day.

So if you are there in the top ten - get cracking!!! If you didn’t make the top ten, don’t lose heart. Its not that you weren’t good, or disappointed - this year’s competition was really strong and getting that list finalised was a bit of a chore (coffee helped) - but as judges we’re really looking at your ability on the stage and your originality.

Don’t forget the judging criteria (as has been outlined in the papers and on the site) - Originality, Musical Ability, Stage Presence, Crowd Reaction, Overall Performance.

Bring your own songs - bring your best songs - give it socks on the stage, get your friends and the crowd behind you and play your heart out!