Crash57, The Goons Compete in High School Battle of the Bands

Are you ready to rock? 

Bands from South River and Southern high schools are among the eleven that will compete Saturday in this year's Anne Arundel High School Battle of the Bands.

According to its Facebook page, AAHS Battle of the bands is the largest event of its kind in the country. All Anne Arundel high schools are invited to choose a band to participate in the event. Each year, proceeds from ticket sales are donated to the music programs at the high schools of the final four bands. They get the opportunity to play in front of industry executives and possibly win studio time and radio air time. 

This year, Southern High is sending Crash57. The boys describe the band's sound as "IndieAlternativePopPunkGrungeRock," and will soon be releasing an CD of eight original songs. They earned the money for the recording by playing gigs at Whiskey, Side Bar Tavern, Metropolitan Kitchen and Otto Bar and selling T-shirts andCDs, according to Beth Leek-Lantz, who is mom to the band's lead vocalist.

Crash57 is junior Nathan Leek, 16, on vocals and guitar; junior Tommy Summerville, 16, on bass and backup vocals; junior Josh Fratta, 15, on drums and sophomore D. J. Entzian, 16, on lead guitar. 

South River will also be send a band to compete at Saturday's competition, The Goons. According to The Current, South River's student paper, The Goons are a recently assembled band, made up of senior Nick DePietro on lead vocals, senior Nick Simon on drums, senior Mike Ware on bass, junior Jacob Paglia on guitar, and junior Paul Packett on guitar. 

Saturday's battle will take place at 5 p.m. at Maryland Hall in Annapolis. Tickets can be purchased in advance for $12 or at the door for $15.