Local bands battle it out to become centennial opener

NEWPORT BEACH — It was a musical day in Newport-Mesa. While Elvis fans were reliving the past at the Orange County Marketplace in Costa Mesa, some more contemporary musical acts battled it out on a stage at the Bonita Canyon park in Newport Beach.

Part of Sunday Fun-Day hosted by the city’s recreation department, the second annual Battle of the Bands pitted nine bands from around Orange and Los Angeles counties against one another for a chance at opening for Sugar Ray at the city’s centennial celebration.

One of the hopeful bands, Weapon of Choice, calls its brand of melody nutmeg music, or the musical all-spice that can be enjoyed by almost everyone.

“It’s a groove-oriented sound with jazz, funk, rock and hip-hop influences,” frontman Lonnie Marshall said.

The band signed up for the contest after manager and vocalist Eurie Jennings’ uncle heard about it on the radio.

“We do a lot of playing around,” Marshall said, “but today we rehearsed a lot.”

The seven-piece band performed four of its favorites, including “Nutty Nutmeg Phantasy,” a song that was covered by singer Macy Gray in the Sam Raimi movie, “Spider-Man.”

The band included John Kirby on keyboards, Marc Rey on guitar, Jake Najor on the drums, Elizabeth Lea on trombone, Pam Williams along with Jennings on vocals, and Marshall on bass guitar.

And they had some stiff competition.

Neorelic wailed with contemporary rock that emanated a classic look and style — ruffled shirts and black velvet jackets reminiscent of the Who.

This band began with lead vocalists David Wells and Brandon Davar. The two played together as children and formed a band in high school.

Now the band that prides itself on providing Orange County with a new twist on classic rock works on providing audiences with the biggest live show they can provide — when it all works out, Wells said.

“We’re going to have live animals on stage at our next show,” he said.

With Davar and Wells on vocals and guitars, Matt Gordon on bass guitar and Spenser Bishop on the drums, the band members said they would love to play as Newport Beach’s centennial opening act, even if they can’t bring any animals.

But in the end, the band 3 Mile Walk, the day’s first performer, took the top prize and will open for Sugar Ray in October.

Overall the bands were just happy to be playing where there was a breeze.

“We love Newport,” Jennings said. “It’s clean and beautiful, and we like the people.”

More than 2,000 people were expected to attend the event. Newport Beach firefighters visited the park in a red engine. Varieties of inflatable obstacle courses, slides and bounce houses peppered the field, along with booths from the city and some local eateries.

“I think it’s super,” said Newport Beach resident Kaycee Bargemann, who came with her husband and infant son. “It’s just a great thing for the kids.”

Just as the annual fun days, which began with the opening of the park, quickly became a yearly community event, “hopefully this becomes a tradition,” said Marie Knight, Newport’s director of Recreation and Senior Services.