Dan's Papers - April 3, 2009 -

The Stephen Talkhouse, in Amagansett, is a premier music venue not just for the East End, but for all of Long Island, becoming a haven for local bands and hosting many nationally known acts during the summer months. It's the kind of place that often has to turn away bands looking for gigs and can afford to be selective with who they book. But now, unknown and fledgling bands will have a crack at getting on stage at the Talkhouse.

Looking back at the success of a Hamptons Star Search it hosted about five years ago, the venue has decided to host its first ever Battle of the Bands. Featuring approximately 25 acts, the competition kicks off April 3 and will run throughout the month of April, with the finals being held on May 9. The winner will get $1,000 and will be booked for a future gig at the Talkhouse. All bands competing will be given a chance to play for venue's booker, who is always looking for new acts.

"It's an opportunity for us to check out bands for ourselves as well as get something going, something different," said Nick Kraus, the club's booker and promoter. "It's definitely a good way for us to find new talent."

While most bands participating hail from Eastern Suffolk, the Battle of the Bands is open to groups from further west, including a few coming out from New York City to compete. Each night, bands will given a half hour set. The winner of each night - based on the results of an audience ballot as well as the thoughts of the three judges, all affiliated with the club - will be invited back for the May 9 finals.

Bands performing run the gamut when it comes to the genres they represent - rock, reggae, pop and more. "It's really all over the place. There's a whole range of genres," Kraus said. "But the level of music across the board is all very good."

Competing the first night, on April 3 is Double Yellow Line (doubleyellowline.us), with Al Madlinger, a Port Jefferson band that plays acoustic rock and roots music. East End high school punk rock outfit Smarter Than Yourself (myspace.com/smarterthanyourself), currently working on its first full-length album, will also be competing, as will Last Charge of the Light Horse (myspace.com/lastcharge), an indie rock band with an alt-country kick from Coram. Rock outfit Exit Row (myspace.com/exitrowband) will be making the trek to Amagansett from New Jersey for the competition and Sub Culture will also perform. The show starts at 7 p.m., runs until about 10 p.m. and costs $5 at the door.

"It's just an exciting opportunity to come out to the Talkhouse to catch some up and coming acts," Kraus said.

And, with so many bands clamoring to be a part of the competition, Kraus says the Talkhouse is already planning another Battle of the Bands for this summer. So e-mail stephentalkhouse@hotmail.com or call 631-267-3117 if you'd like to submit your band for consideration.

For more information about this spring's Battle of the Bands, go to stephentalkhouse.com.