Eight local bands competed in Thunder 91.1’s annual Battle of the Bands on Tuesday, Sept. 22, in the Southern Utah University Upper Quad during homecoming week. Cedar City-based Black Cat Parade won the Judges’ Choice award, while Frozen Desserts, based in St. George, Utah, won the People’s Choice award.
As the Judges’ Choice winner, Black Cat Parade will open for Broken Road: A Tribute to Rascal Flatts during Forever RED on Friday, Sept. 25, at 7 p.m. in the Upper Quad.
This year’s competition featured Black Cat Parade, Frozen Desserts, Ronny Broke the Mic, Weather Program, The Kellon Parker Band, Dog Virtue, Backyard Arcade and Alternate Currents. Before the winners
were announced, Ben Polish of Thunder 91 correctly predicted that Black Cat Parade would take home an award.
“Out of the bands I know, I really like Black Cat Parade,” Polish said. “I’ve seen them at the Sok Hop a couple different times, and they’ve always impressed me.”
Jason Moodie, SUMA’s director of learning and visitor experience and one of the competition’s judges, came into the event without any predictions.
“I have no idea; I’m coming into this completely blank,” Moodie said. “I’m trying to avoid making decisions right off the bat.”
Black Cat Parade member Ethan Bulloch shared the story behind the band’s name, which plays on the superstition that black cats are bad omens and that a whole parade of them would be even worse.
“I stole it from my dad,” Bulloch said. “My dad had a band in high school and never did anything with it, so he said I could have it.”
After Black Cat Parade performed, the band members threw guitar picks into the audience as the crowd cheered.
SUU’s Homecoming Week will continue through Saturday, Sept. 26, with events including Forever RED and the Homecoming Parade.
Follow Thunder 91 on Instagram for more information about upcoming events.
Author: Coquette Jacobsen
Photos by Abraham Flores
Editor: Charlee Steed
arts@suunews.net
