By GALE CARROCCIA

The seventh annual Battle

of the Bands fundraiser took place Jan. 25 in the Johnston High School auditorium, in front of

not only Johnston

students and friends, but teens from all over the state there to compete and

cheer, waiting to see what musical band would take the first place title and

the prize money that went with it.

The band Sold for Less clinched first place and won $150.

The Ingredients, who came in second place last year, also came in second place

this year, and took home $80; Crazy Sven and the Naughty Complex placed third

in the battle, winning $40.

Band Director Ron Lamoureux and Johnston High School Band

members originally came up with the idea as a local talent show; later, it

extended to other communities and became a way to raise funds. This year, it

was the competition site that will benefit.

"We want to do renovations to the auditorium, so

when we have musicals, we do not have to rent equipment, and we would like to

get theater lights that are more professional," said drama teacher Joanne

DeCurtis.

The 10 bands that competed came from as far away as Richmond and from as nearby as Smithfield. The hometown list varies widely

from year to year – last year, a Boston

band named Kreagan came in first place.

The bands – The Ingredients, The Abominables, This

Deception, Nervous Insurgents, Sold for Less, Smokey Windows, Duct Tape, Crazy

Sven and the Naughty Complex, Death before Daylight and the Wild Card – were

each allowed 20 minutes to set up, play and break down their equipment, which

meant they usually got in two or three songs. To participate, each band member

had to sell a minimum of five tickets for the event.

The talent judges consisted of five teachers from Johnston High School and their spouses. The

masters of ceremonies were two Johnston

seniors: Vanessa Vento and Joe Catanzaro.

The emcees have a musical background, too. This past

November at Rhode Island

College, Vanessa and Joe

auditioned in a festival called "All State Vocalist;" both were successful

in becoming members of the group.

This coming April, a fashion show is scheduled at Johnston High School. The students got the idea

from Rhode Island School of Design; each student participating will design

their own outfits from recycled materials.