Casa Grande Musicians Duke it Out at Battle of the Bands

Four bands squared off this week at annual Battle of the Bands, for a chance to score a spot playing at the Rivertown Revival Festival in July as well as a gig at the Phoenix Theater.

After three days of feverish playing at one of the school's cafeterias, the judges were unaninimous: the band Frenzied, comprised of Tyler Logenbaugh, 17, Wyatt Vaugh and  brothers Ian and Alec Runge, was declared the winner. 

(Check out the video on the right. Frenzied is the second band featured)

The band, which counts the Pixies, Nirvana and Rage Against the Machine as their influences, described the experience as nerve wracking, in part because the frontman, Ian Runge, came down with chicken pox the day of the competition, forcing them to change their play list.

"We were being judged here and it was a lot more stressful than when we play the Phoenix where it's just our friends," said Tyler Logenbaugh, who stepped in for the frontman.

The contest is an annual tradition at Casa Grande High School and has been held for the past 16 years, said teacher Kelin Backman, who worked with students to coordinate the event.

"It's about featuring youth talent and celebrating rock n' roll," she said.

Frenzied will play the Phoenix May 6 and Rivertown Revival Festival July 30.