JCCSF Battle of the Bands, Apr 29, 2017

JCCSF BATTLE OF THE BANDS, APR 29, 2017

Why do I care? Why should you care? I care that JCCSF gave a heksher, a sign of approval, to a bad event, and I care about fairness at a JCC sponsored event. Also, I want to express my opinion on this since it seems no one wants to “make a scene” and say something if it upsets them. Why is that? 

That was a marathon! :) Sadly, JCCSF & CJM owes the JCC community an apology. 

The event was run poorly - the first band was mixed badly, I could hardly hear the bass and guitar! Each band a just a few minutes for the sound check. The mic of one of the bands was never on! That was because there were 12(!!) bands performing. Actually, there was a large jazz school band, several one or two-people bands and several more standard rock bands. The event was handled much better last year at CJM where the individual musicians were judged on their merits in a separate competition, not mixed in with the larger groups. 

But the killer was the panel of 5 judges. One of the them was rhythmically challenged: she mistook a syncopated rhythm  on one of the songs  for poor time-keeping on the part of the drummer. She also said about a band that screamed their lyrics that altho’ she did not understand a word they said, she liked their energy. Wow! That comment pretty much obliterated the effort put in by the bands/artists who worked  so hard to craft thoughtful, heartfelt lyrics. Why is this person on the judge panel? I hope she does not appear at another Battle of the Bands judge panel. 

Then there was the arbitrary implementation of the rules. Let me quote this from the form each band received from the JCCSF: 

While at the JCCSF, performers must agree to follow the JCCSF zero-tolerance policy for the following: drugs, alcohol, tobacco, weapons, offensive or prejudicial language and violence. Please note that our zero-tolerance policy forbids using drugs or alcohol before as well as during an event hosted by JCCSF.

also 

Battle of the Bands has a competitive element, but ultimately celebrates the community that is built when young people come together to express themselves. Participation in this event requires a commitment to this spirit, and an understanding that you will be judged fairly. Participants must therefore be respectful of all judges, their decisions and program staff.

Several bands used prejudicial language, including swearing. Besides, some bands were rather unintelligible, so we don’t know WHAT they were saying. I think I heard a “f*ck” on Mess’s song. Then there was the sexist, offensive song “Yoga Pants” by Mentally Wasted. Also, there was the issue of the shitless band members with one of the bands (The “Bro band”). I wonder if the JCCSF would have been cool with Tribe8 playing there, with its shirtless front woman. That was clearly sexism, both on the part of the JCC as well as on the part of the judges. I found that lack of awareness offensive. Btw, to the person from JCCSF/CJM who wondered about remarking on the shiftlessness of that band: you should have said something! Where was the zero-tolerance? This panel of judges shows the people present that rules do not matter. 

As  for fair judgement, it is clear that the judges were NOT fair. Of the double six-pack (pun intended) initial bands, 5 made it in the second round. Of those, 4 were thrash rock - School of Rock SM, Jestdogs, Mental Waste, Civil Servants; one was a solo act, excellent, by the way! - Henry Plotnick.  There was no variety in the 2nd round. There was also a stated rule that no band should play for more than 5 minutes. Several of the bands that advanced, including the last 2 in the final round played WAY over that 5 minute limit. The judges NEVER said anything about that rule break. I would have judged this differently: 4 bands  for second round: Rivet, School of Rock SM, Jestdogs, Mental Waste; and 2 single acts: Plotnick and the 80’s synth band. Then, I would have Rivet win in the band category, and Plotnick in the solo category. Couldn’t JCCSF/CJM have 2 $350 final prizes? Is JCCSF that strapped financially? I doubt it. This panel of judges picked bands that had a certain look, rather than sounded good The look was that of suburban metal/punk  - contrived shlumpiness :) The angst was put on, fake. I appreciated much more Annabel’s sincere lyrics, Rivet’s heartfelt words, and Plotnick’s inspired improvisations. 

Finally,  there is the potential conflict of interest that for one of the judges on the panel who is also a KPOO DJ.The finalist of the battle was offered radio air time by that same judge as a reward for the final 2 bands. It cast doubt on the impartiality of that judge, since it made me wonder if maybe she was looking for  good band for her show, rather than judge the best band at the JCC.  

Not cool/OK for JCCSF. 

The format of last year’s Battle, of each band playing 2 songs to start with is great. It avoids the one and done situation where a sketchy start or poor sound engineering can sink  a band, like it did for some last night. If JCCSF/CJM cannot do a good job organizing a Battle of the Bands consistent with JCC’s and CJM’s values, maybe they should not do it at all.