Eight central New York companies will compete in a “battle of corporate bands” at the Landmark Theatre as part of Redhouse Art Center’s annual “Rockin’ the Redhouse” event. More than a thousand guests are expected to attend the event, aimed to raise support for the Redhouse’s local education scholarships.

The show began about seven years ago with the original name “Rockin’ the Red Cross,” but the event was later re-established with the help of Michael Featherstone, the Redhouse committee chair and current band member of the Dinosaurs from CXtec.

“The president of my company wanted to find a way to be musically involved with the Redhouse again,” said Featherstone, adding that he and his company’s president co-chaired the event. In the seven years since, Featherstone said the event has grown in its popularity, as the “many talented employees” in Syracuse began to participate.

Anna Henderson | Digital Design Editor

This year’s bandmates are eager to showcase their music to the greater Syracuse community. Daniel Wing, a performer with JMA Wireless, has been practicing since August.

“Oh we’re going to knock their socks off like we did last year,” Wing said. Along with many other competitors, Wing describes his band’s preparation process as a collaborative effort, as he requested that all members of the band do some research on a potential set list and put song ideas into a shared spreadsheet.

Collaborative preparation has been a common theme for some other performers, as many members often begin the song selection process with an email chain or a group listening session to help narrow down their setlist.

Not only is the process a group effort, but many bands also said they are extremely persistent in how they prepare for Friday’s performance. Featherstone said his band finds as much time as they can to rehearse — even taking time during their lunch breaks to head over to the main singer’s house to play in her studio basement, or on Sunday nights when non-employee members are available to play.

This dedication, he said, is evident from all of the bands. “People put in a lot of time to rehearsing and learning the material and coming out with a professional show,” said Featherstone, adding that “the bar gets raised every year.”

Anna Henderson | Digital Design Editor

Audiences can expect a variety of songs and genres at the event. Steve Ciricillo, member of The Actuators, said his band will adopt “a different approach to the stage as well as a different feel of songs that is unique compared to what our band has previously done.” Ciricillo also emphasized how they prioritize having a good time at the event and supporting other bands.

The bands’ desire to practice and improve is fueled in some ways by the competitive nature of the event, but mostly from the fact that “(we’re) all just trying to have fun,” said Wing.

That fun has drawn many bands to re-enter the competition year after year.  

Wing himself had done it at his previous place of employment, and when he got a new job at JMA Wireless, he said he scoured his fellow employees and was able to collect enough people to re-enter as JMA Wireless.

“(We’re) not in it to beat the bands,” he said. “(We’re) here to have fun.”

Published on February 27, 2019 at 10:05 pm