The Winner Battle of the Bands is Bluesy "Brighter Side"

CANTON — An audible, collective groan could be heard at The Repository’s 8th Annual Battle of the Bands when emcees Dan Kane and Aron Kitzmiller announced “The Brighter Side” as its first-ever blues band entry.

Those groans turned to screams as about 1,200 fans, mostly Stark County teens, jumped to their feet to cheer on this year’s hands-down winner of the event Saturday night at the Palace Theatre.

Winning over the crowd with his shockingly mature voice and cool, relaxed stage presence was 14-year-old lead singer Jake Friel. He stunned the young audience with his harmonica playing on the original song, “Bad,” as well as their cover of Jimi Hendricks’ “Red House.”

“When we saw the crowd response, it was awesome,” said Friel, who admitted to being very nervous playing for an audience of his peers. “It was so cool. I felt like we were bringing the blues back.”

His mom, Nan Friel, said their usual audience is in the 40-65 age range. She was moved to tears by the crowd reaction and the sight of all the represented schools’ fans on their feet for them.

“What’s really cool is my dad performed at The Palace in 1931, so it’s come full circle,” she said of Jake’s grandfather, a Vaudeville performer.

Jake, she said, has grown up listening to the blues, as has the rest of his band members, who all come from musical families.

Lead guitarist Fuad Farah, drummer David Wilson and bassist Noah Simionides round out the group that represented GlenOak High School.

Farah’s father, Dr. Constantine Farah, serves as their musical director and arranges their songs.

Picking this year’s winner were five local musicians and club promoters: Nick Brewer, Tim Eddings, Nate Monea, Billy Ludwig and Andy Dolson.

Dolson said that while the decision was tough, it was unanimous.

“If I were listening to this band at a club and I hadn’t known they were in high school, they still would have wowed me,” he said.

“They clearly caught the attention of everyone in the room.”

Giving them a run for the money were seven talented bands.

Perry’s Across the Viaduct was the first band on stage. Lead singer Steven Turner charmed the audience with his laugh as he encouraged their cheers. Their choice of cover song, “Animal” by Neon Trees, was ideal for his voice.

Jackson High School’s Line of Defense walked out on stage like they owned it. Seasoned performers, the band’s cover of “Rebel Yell” by Billy Idol was also well-suited to the lead singer Zakk Stayer’s deep, rock star voice.

O.N.E. from Hoover High School featured sweet-voiced Emily Jackson and stand-out lead guitarist Matt Chambers.

Back for a second try was Lake High School’s Sicadia, whose rock version of “I Gotta Feeling” by the Black-eyed Peas, was a fan favorite.

Jackson High School’s “Motion” seemed to have the largest fan base, along with Hoover’s NOCA.

Motion performed “Hey Ya,” another Black-Eyed Peas song, as their cover, while NOCA showed off a true hard rock sound.

Finally, Messy Face from Jackson High School featured talented vocalist Erin Mason, who performed a strong version of Katy Perry’s “Hot and Cold.”

“All the bands were great,” said Dolson, but it was The Brighter Side who stole the show. “There was just something about their stage presence.”

Source: http://www.cantonrep.com/carousel/x868521675/Bluesy-Brighter-Side-is-Battle-of-the-Bands-winner