More than 60 bands began battling in September with drumsticks, guitar picks and microphone stands. Nine months later, only one could be crowned victor of the Band Eat Band competition.
King Ghoul has a lot to celebrate, beyond taking home the $5,000 grand prize in the early morning hours following the May 30 finale at LunaVerse Knoxville’s Asylum 801 nightclub. The band and others in the competition also helped donate $10,000 to a handful of local charities, including Knox News’ Empty Stocking Fund.
It was an exciting way to end the competition for King Ghoul guitarist Tommy Lancaster, who said the venue’s stage was the biggest he has ever played on.
“It’s been such a long time coming for it to finally be the end and for it to end like that,” Lancaster told Knox News. “It’s cool that we won (but) there’s been so many cool bands along the way, and we made a lot of friends along the way. I think that was the coolest part of it.”
It had been a decade since Asylum owner Scott West organized Band Eat Band.
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“I’m reminded why I waited 10 years to do it again because someone has to lose,” West said about the weekly bracket-style competition.
West said he noticed how hard the bands fought to win, working their way up from the battlegrounds of Scruffy City Hall in the early rounds to taking over the new Asylum stage for the finals. Scruffy City Hall also is owned by the West family, along with a handful of other Market Square bars, restaurants and shops.
King Ghoul outlasted five other bands in the finals to win: Burn the City, HiDaze, High Heat, James Leigh and the Rest, and Stina Nez. Each of these bands also took home a prize ranging from $300 to $2,500 based on their ranking.
The winners were chosen by fan votes cast during the show and a handful of judges, including Knox News’ own Ryan Wilusz. Judging criteria was based on audience engagement, musicianship, stage presence and songwriting.
Band Eat Band makes an impact on local music scene
Every musician who participated got a share of the $25,000-plus pot. Each band was paid to perform during the weekly competition, and the rate was doubled each time they advanced to the next round.
The exposure could prove to be invaluable.
“By doing this competition, we’ve completely opened our ears up to what’s going on in the local music scene now versus before,” West told Knox News. “We didn’t realize that we weren’t necessarily in step with the new bands. So, now the entire calendar (at West-family venues) is all these bands.”
West has long been a supporter of local talent. For him, one of the most important aspects of Band Eat Band is discovering which group could be the next big thing in five years − and getting local audiences to support them first.
Competition was stiff as the weeks went by. Bands went from performing cover songs in early rounds to required original material for the finals. Sets became tighter and better, West said.
Band Eat Band was so important to a member of HiDaze that she flew in from Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, for the final round and flew back after.
Reviving the competition has been a huge success, but West is still deciding if and when it could return. His business and life partner, Bernadette West, hopes it becomes an annual thing because it’s a fun way for people to enjoy live music and support local charities.
But don’t expect King Ghoul to join any other competitions soon.
“We just want to have fun up there,” Lancaster said. “Peace, love, music, bring people together – that’s what we like to do.”
Which charities did Band Eat Band support?
Watching the battle of the bands unfold every Thursday was peak entertainment, but it was also for a good cause.
Band Eat Band raised $10,000 for these four local charities:
The Wests already donated a portion of the funds, including $4,200 to the Empty Stocking Fund during the competition. They are deciding how to disperse the remaining funds to charities now that the competition is over.
How to continue supporting Empty Stocking Fund
The News Sentinel Charities Empty Stocking Fund started more than 112 years ago and continues to exclusively serve East Tennessee families experiencing food insecurity.
Thousands of families that qualify receive a box with a week’s worth of food, including a Christmas dinner, during the holiday season. Last year, we assembled and distributed 3,000 healthy meal boxes.
Empty Stocking Fund accepts donations throughout the year at esfknox.org. Checks can be mailed to 2332 News Sentinel Drive, Knoxville TN 3792.
All donations go toward the effort since we are 100% volunteer-run. Donations will help determine how many families we can assist in 2024.
Devarrick Turner is a trending news reporter. Email devarrick.turner@knoxnews.com. On X, formerly known as Twitter @dturner1208.
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Source: Knoxville battle of the bands competition winner crowned at LunaVerse
