| "It’s just amazing the talent in the Island" | | Ernie Mallet, event organiser |
Omerta emerged triumphant on Tuesday 25th July as the second Jersey Battle of the Bands began. Despite tough competition from 5 other bands the judges chose the group of 4 local students, who best describe their music as “modern metal but with an old school thrash influence,” as winners of the first heat of the competition.  | | No Star Hotel |
The competition consists of 5 heats, with the winner of each heat competing in the final event on the 29th August in the hope that they'll be picked as the Island's best young band. With their victory in the first heat, Omerta are one step closer to this feat. Strong performances from False Assumption, Kustom Made, Skies of Deciet, Brackets on Fire and, as a last-minute addition, No Star Hotel impressed the audience in what was a difficult choice for the judges. Ernie Mallet, who organises the event together with Justin Vooles, said “it’s just amazing the talent in the Island, people don’t realise – they’re always on about sport but they don’t realise the talent there is musically”. Believing that the event attracted the best crowd that they’ve ever had, Omerta were confident that they would win the heat. Having entered last year and come third, they’ve obviously learnt a great deal and improved the standard of their music. The band members are; Adam True (bass, vocals)
Kieran Heaney (lead guitar, backing vocals)
Jamie Hegarty (guitar)
Blair Allison (drums)  | | Ernie Mallet (organiser) |
On hearing his band had won, Jamie described it as “amazing, it’s great to get into the final…the crowd today was absolutely fantastic I couldn’t get over how crazy they went for us.” Sam Falle, one of the judges, said that it was a difficult choice. “I don’t know about the other judges, but my own criteria for choosing the best band is the standard of their music, and whether the songs they play are their own.”
Despite large numbers of teenagers at the Chicago Rock Café, security guards say there was no trouble and the youngsters should be praised for their good behaviour. Last year, the event attracted around 4,000 young people to the Chicago Rock Café, and with tickets priced at £2 each, organisers hope the Café will raise more for charity this year.
BOB continues with heats every Tuesday from 5-8pm at the Chicago Rock Café. Tickets, on the door, are £2 each. | 
