Local band battles its way to the top

Reflect the Silence was the last band to take the stage at the second annual Battle of the Bands last Saturday at Kimmel Theatre on the Midland Lutheran College campus.

More than 200 concert goers buckled up for a wild ride, bobbing up and down and screaming to the music, right in front of the stage, getting the most out of the 20 minute set.

Members of rival bands were among those fans who were front and center so that they, too, could cheer on the competition.

"It’s kind of hard to describe, it’s kind of a mix of heavy metal and hard-core," said Reflect the Silence vocalist Andy Thomson of Fremont.

One way to describe it would be pulse-pounding, bass thumping, screaming vocals and loud.

With a style of music that makes most parents cringe, these young musicians tore through their set with one encore, finishing sweat drenched and hoarse, as did many of their fans.

"Metal has the best, most loyal fans in the world," Silence drummer Matt Benson said.

Benson added that it’s fun to engage in the music and root for one another.

"Even though we were competing against each other, that’s all water under the bridge," he said.

That camaraderie was evidenced further by watching former Silence drummer Dorian Henderson, as he cheered on his former band.

Reflect the Silence began with Brian Brandt and Blake Harlow coming together from different bands and writing songs while searching for other members.

"Blake and Brian had this going a little bit. They already had the name and some songs written when I tried out," Thomson said.

Following the departure of Henderson on drums, Thomson saw a chance to bring in some new blood.

"I’m good friends with Matt Benson. I told him we needed a drummer and he wanted to get back into drumming," Thomson said.

Benson is no stranger to heavy metal, having served as vocalist for former local band Asher.

"This band is a lot different that any I’ve ever been in," Benson said, "The thing I love about this band is that I can hang out with the guys in the band and just chill ... (the guys) are all very, very cool, very laid back.

"We take our music very seriously, but that is all. We’re in it for the music. I respect all of them very highly as musicians and individuals."

The band, which has played various venues from Lincoln to Omaha to Atlantic, Iowa, gets together a couple of times a week to further hone their sound.

"We practice usually twice a week," Thomson said. "We meet up in Omaha in a practice space."

Thomson said a typical practice will last five to seven hours.

The ultimate goal: "We want to be signed to a label. We’ve released two demos right now and have recorded a total of nine songs," Thomson said, noting they have sent their demo CDs out to labels hoping for a bite.

For now, the band is content with their narrow victory at the Battle of the Bands, as they prepare for their next big show at Club Roxbury in Omaha at the beginning of October.

The band emerged with a victory after being voted second by the judges behind Safe to Say, but first by the fans with a large enough margin to win the evening.

"We had played with Safe to Say and we know Back to Rome pretty well," Thomson said of his competition. "We walked away on top. We made a lot of fans that night, too."

Benson, who placed second at the Battle of the Bands last year as part of Asher, liked the new contest format, which allowed the fans to participate in the judging for the first time.

"I had a blast last year. I had a blast this year. I thought the voting was very, very fair." Benson said.

"I’m not really a big believer that music and competition go together, but, to throw in a little of that competitive flair," Benson said of the format. "Possibly the best thing (about the contest) is that it is local. Nothing makes me happier than seeing people involved in the local music scene."