This Friday, House of Blues hosts the first (and perhaps only) Texas High School Rock Off, co-sponsored by Fuse, Sonicbids and Rocks Off our own damn selves. See here for information on tickets, which start at the allowance-friendly price of $8. The winner receives $500, a trophy and an opening slot for a national artist at HOB. We're going to save the critiquing until Friday, but Tuesday, today and Thursday, Rocks Off will help you get better acquainted with our seven contestants.
Band: The Handshake
Hometown: Houston (Lamar High School)
MySpace URL (1,178 friends): myspace.com/handshakesmusic
MySpace Headline: none
Facebook URL (1,004 members): http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=26619192922
Listed Genre: Indie/Rock/Progressive
Actual Sound: Soft-pedaled blue-eyed indie soul
Other Information: Named after an MGMT song. Won Bellaire Men's Club's 2008 Battle of the Bands. Played this past November's Westheimer Block Party. Available for parties.
Band: Living Vicariously
Hometown: Houston (Memorial)
MySpace URL (23 friends): myspace.com/livingvicariouslymusic
MySpace Headline: none
Facebook URL (151 fans): www.facebook.com/pages/Living-Vicariously/92455930526
Listed Genre: Alternative
Actual Sound: Yep... nice-guy alt-rock with sporadic effects-pedal muscle
Other Information: Interests include "practicing, ruining our hearing and rocking out." List an "official roadie" on their roster. Will play "pretty much wherever you want us to play."