For the next several sunday nights, the Pulse will be on hand at Bluesboro Rhythm and Blues Co. for the Rockstar Band Battle. We will be there checking out the competition and participating in the judging. Look for the results in each issue of The Pulse.

All competing bands must play either two or three covers in their 45-minute set. They are judged both on crowd votes and by judges in the categories of cover songs, originality, stage presence and musicianship.

The first week’s Battle was won by the Knoxville-based Cornbread Blues Band who remarkably stole the show from Murfreesboro-based Orange Blues. Even though the crowd heavily favored Orange Blues, the judges wanted Cornbread that night.

While both bands were very well rehearsed and talented, Cornbread Blues put on the more entertaining show and had better cover tunes, including “In the Pines” by Ledbelly, in a very Ledbelly way.

“We were just trying to polish off the Nirvana” vocalist John Worley said.

Orange Blues’ rendition of Sublime’s “What I Got” just could not compare.

Cornbread Blues’ stage presence was awesome and Worley had many interesting and humorous things to say in between songs, making their set seamless.

Orange Blues had a good set and pleasing sounds, the Cornbread Blues Band was just a hard act to follow because of their broader and more sophisticated sound featuring more instruments.

The singer played a Wurlitzer electric piano bought from a crackhead for $40.

“It’s was the best $40 I ever spent,” Worley said of his Wurly.

When combined with a very capably played saxophone, Cornbread Blues took top place in spite of their underdog position, by judges’ vote.

The following week, the bands battling were 44 Vegas and Autumn Mourning.

44 Vegas, a five-piece alternative band, had a very tight sound a little too reminiscent of Tool. In fact, during their most of the songs all I could think of was Tool (one was quite similar to “Cold and Ugly”).

They showed some versatility by covering “Cover Me,” by Candlebox. It was very true to the song, but almost too much, not adding much of an original twist.

Their second cover was, quite naturally, “Sober,” by none other than Tool. It did sound like Tool, but once again, no original twist was applied and we already knew these guys could sound like Tool.

Next up was Autumn Mourning, which was quite a change of pace and attitude. They won the show with screaming heavy metal powers, fat bass lines, grooving drums and righteous guitars. They mix different styles of metal to create their own heavy sound.

Their covers where so obscure, not many in the crowd knew the difference between originals and covers. But the band overall was more original and creative than 44 Vegas and put on a more energetic show.

They’ve been a presence in the Murfreesboro scene for five years and count Goatwhore, Metallica, Iron Maiden and Black Sabbath as their influences. Their goal is to be all the metal they can be and show their appreciation to their fans by releasing a full-length record soon.

Autumn Mourning has yet to embark on a major tour. Their plans for the future including making music a priority, touching as many people as they can and having fun with their aggressive outlet for emotion.