TheUG.com The Underground Fall Brawl 2007 Notice

THE UNDERGROUND'S
2007 FALL BRAWL (battle of the bands)

Structure of Fall Brawl
The Brawl will consist of 5 rounds. ALL accepted bands will play twice (on 2 different nights) in the first round. At the end of the first round the bands scores from their 2 performances will be added together and the top 25 bands will advance. Results will be announced on the last night of the first round.

In subsequent rounds 4-5 bands will play per night with 3 bands advancing from each night to the next round.

The Semi Finals will consist of 5 bands each of 2 nights (including 1 "wild card band to be selected from the field of eliminated bands by judges from previous rounds to move on to the semi finals), with 2 bands advancing from each night to the finals.

The 4 bands that advance to the finals will receive prize money. The final night will determine the order of the 4 remaining bands.

Nightly judges will consist of a mix of Radio Professionals, Musicians, Underground Staff, etc. The Underground is in contact with music industry professionals (producers, record label reps, etc) who will be present for judging the final round of the Brawl. This will be incredible exposure to the music industry for these final 4 bands.

This structure is tentative based on an estimated number of bands to enter. Final structure may vary slightly to accommodate actual number of entered bands.

CONTEST RULES

ANY BREECH OF GUIDELINES/RULES IN THIS DOCUMENT COULD RESULT IN THE DISQUALIFICATION OF YOUR BAND FROM THE COMPETITION WITH NO REFUND OF ENTRY FEE.
1. Previous years' 1st place act is not eligible for entry..
2. Each night, only those 9th grade & up with a valid ID will be allowed to attend. Admission will be $7. ONLY PAYING ADMISSIONS WILL RECEIVE A VOTING BALLOT AND BE ELLIGIBLE TO VOTE!
3. The night of the finals will be a "special event" with advance ticket sales, and all ages will be permitted. Those 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult at all times. HOWEVER, ONLY THOSE 9th GRADE AND OLDER WILL BE ALLOWED TO VOTE FOR THE FINALS.
4. During each night of the Fall Brawl, no ballots will be accepted until the last band has finished playing. Then only 1 ballot per person will be accepted. If someone leaves before this time, they will not be able to vote. If ANYONE turns in more than 1 ballot ALL ballots that they turn in will be thrown away.
5. No guest lists will be permitted.
6. Band members will be supplied with refreshments. (Coffee, Water, Soda)
7. Must be a band or individual playing instruments (artist performing solely with accompaniment tracks not permitted). Original fill tracks written and produced by the band, and triggered by band members during performance are permitted..
8. All original music to be performed. No covers. Not even a piece of a cover embedded in a song may be performed.
9. Each band will be given 15 minutes for set up and sound check, 15 minute set, and 5 minutes for teardown. During the 15 minute set, the competing band must play as many of the 4 songs submitted as time will allow without exceeding the time limit. (i.e, if the band has played 3 songs and the elapsed time is at 13 minutes and the 4th song is approximately 4 minutes long, the competing band's set is over)
10. A drawing will be done at 7:45 pm the night of each contest to determine the order of performance (no changes permitted). Doors open at 8:00 pm. If all members of band are not present when the band is due to take the stage, the band will be disqualified, and the next band will take their time slot.
11. Underground staff will run house sound and lighting (NO EXCEPTIONS).
12. Songs submitted and performed must adhere to Underground policies regarding content. No objectionable lyrical content such as profanity, or themes about or inferring sexual situations, drug use, violence, etc. CDs sold on The Underground premises must adhere to same guidelines. If any profane language or gestures are made on stage, the band will immediately be asked to leave the stage and the premises, and will be disqualified from the competition. NO QUESTIONS ASKED! (Final judgment on what is and is not profane language or gestures will be left solely up to the panel of 3 judges. No refund.)
13. A band may change their song set list for each round of the competition. TYPEWRITTEN lyrics to the new songs must be submitted by Saturday at midnight the week prior to their next performance in the competition. If song changes and lyrics are not submitted by this time, set list from prior round will have to be used. NO EXCEPTIONS
14. Bands must play their assigned nights in the Brawl. No changes will be permitted. If a band does not play their assigned slot, they forfeit their place in the battle and their deposit. We can not guarantee what nights you will play, nor accept requests for when to/not to play.
15 Bands awarded with cash and prizes are responsible for any associated taxes pertaining to their winnings.

JUDGING
60% of score will be based on a panel of judges. Judges will be scoring on:
1. Tightness
2. Lyrical and musical composition
3. Overall Performance/Showmanship
40% of score will be based on audience vote, after all performances are completed. (So make sure ALL your fans show up!!) No ballots will be accepted until after the last band has finished their performance..

PRIZES
1st Place - $5,000 in cash + additional prizes

2nd Place - $3,000 in cash + additional prizes

3rd Place - $2,000 in cash + additional prizes

4th Place - $1000 in cash + additional prizes

This payout schedule is based on a field of 50 band entries. If less than 50 bands are accepted for entry, the payouts and nightly schedule will be adjusted as necessary.

We are currently working to secure sponsorships. Additional prizes will be things such as t-shirt printing, recording time, etc.

ENTRY INSTRUCTIONS
By entering the contest - you are confirming that you have completely read and accept all the conditions and obligations of The Underground's Fall Brawl Battle of the Bands rules, judging, schedule, entry fee, etc.

1. Entry Period - Beginning Wednesday Aug 1st thru DEADLINE Saturday, September 1, 2007 by 12:00 midnight.
2. Submit all information in person @ The Underground during our regular Friday & Saturday night hours from 8pm-1am. Or during our office hours Mon - Fri 10:00 am - 3:00 pm..
3. What to submit? First Please send us an e mail to chris@theug.com to let us know of your intent to enter so we know to keep an eye out for your stuff.
Then please turn in @ The Underground:
A. $75 Non-refundable Entry Fee. Checks payable to "The Underground".
B. Band name.
C. Style of music.
D. Name and age of each band member.
E. Contact information (One contact name, e mail, and phone number.)
F. TYPED lyrics to 4 songs to be performed in the 1st round of the contest. (no profane language or inappropriate messages in lyrics will be considered)
G. 3-4 song demo CD(does not have to be same songs that will be used in battle.)

Entries will be reviewed by the management of The Underground and the band contact will be notified if the band is accepted into the competition. All notifications will be made on Friday, September 7th, 2007 by email.

Tentative Schedule

The Fall Brawl will begin September 22nd and will proceed through Feb 08.