Mud Soda Spark in performance. Picture by Rashbehari Das

Thirty registered, 10 got the chance to play but only one band could make it to the top slot in the prelims of the Autumn Music Festival 2011 hosted by the American Center. The second edition of the festival held on Thursday saw budding musical talent on stage, proving their mettle in front of a panel of eminent judges.

Gaurab Chatterjee of Lakkhichhara, singer/song-writer Anupam Roy, acting director of American Center Scott E. Hartmann and Richard R. Craig, principal commercial officer, American Center, Calcutta, had a tough time short-listing the top three bands, of which the first will compete alongside winners from the festival’s Shillong and Gangtok editions on September 20.

The prize ticket? A chance to perform at Someplace Else a day later.

The excitement was palpable as bands like Jeepers Creepers, Mantra, Scarface, The Ohm Experience, Hindukush, Snap Dragon, and Rangskarsha took the stage with their own brand of original music along with a rocking cover of their favourite song by any American band. The covers chosen included those by Greenday, BB King, John Mayer, Foo Fighters and Maroon 5. The originals were commendable, with some even fusing classical and Sufi with rock.

“It was difficult for us to decide because there were so many genres being played. Also, the standard of the bands was quite high,” said Gaurab.

Ifs and Buts, the acoustic set-up by Subhodip and Nicholas, was declared winner, thanks to their brilliant original Stuck and a rocking cover of Foo Fighters’ Wheel. The next spots went to Mud Soda Spark and Scarface. “When we entered the contest, we did not expect to come this far. We were the only acoustic band amongst all the entries. But I guess something clicked and the judges really liked us. We are really looking forward to competing with the two bands from Gangtok and Shillong,” said an elated Nicholas.