Rollo Greb emerged winners of the Yuengling Battle of the Bands at Bluesboro, playing the final round June 17 and taking home $1,000, a headlining show at Bluesboro, $1,000 of equipment at Concert Productions, and other prizes.
Bands played through three rounds over 12 weeks. Rollo Greb guitarist and vocalist Brian Dempsey said he feels it was a good experience.
“We made some new friends and were honored to play with some great bands,” Dempsey said.
Though they earned their way into the semifinals by winning the Southern Rock round?one of several genre-themed nights that opened the battle?Dempsey doesn’t believe they really fit the Southern Rock mold.
“Though we all have our distinct influences, we all gravitate to the haunting vibe of Delta blues, Appalachian music, British rock and ’90s-era rock as well,” Dempsey said. “Oddly enough, we’ve been hearing from many people that we have a ?Spaghetti Western’ vibe, which seems like a logical comparison. We sometimes say we’re like Bob Dylan fronting the Stooges.”
When asked about specific influences for the band, Dempsey said “Johnny Greenwood from Radiohead meets Johnny Winter.”
Rollo Greb came together January 2007, although the members have played together longer. Dempsey and his brother, drummer Brandon, have played together all of their lives, while guitarist Harlan Smith and bassist Cody Blaine have known each other since grade school. Smith, Blaine and Brandon Dempsey played together in Page 80 (and will be playing locally again, so be on the lookout). Rollo Greb is nearing completion of its debut album, expected for release in early fall.
The band’s final round set was a high-energy affair. The set included the songs “Dead Wire,” “Dear Lady,” and “Flatland,” the last written about the Mississippi Delta?an area that helps fuel the band creatively?and all laden with strained, salty vocals and instrumentals coming from different areas of the rock ’n’ roll spectrum. The band also displayed some showmanship, with members jumping in the air and playing on their knees during songs.
Rollo Greb beat three other acts in the finals: soulful-pop artist Casme, alternative rockers Bellianto, and blues trio Blindman’s Peace, who’s guitarist, David Talley took home a new guitar for his band scoring highest in the musical ability category. All finalists will perform future shows at Bluesboro.
