Keenan Daly may be a Neuqua Valley High School senior, but on Friday, he’ll trade in his backpack for a bass guitar. Along with bandmates Erik Martinek, 16, and Grant Milliren, 18, he’ll head downtown Naperville for an epic battle of the musical kind.
“We are super excited to play,” said Daly, 18, bassist for the band The Flukes. “It is going to be totally awesome to play in downtown Naperville, especially in a show with all of these other great bands.”
Daly and Martinek founded The Flukes in 2015, and in early 2016, released their first CD “Colors,” which includes 11 original songs.
“Erik and I started with basement jams and slowly evolved into a band doing local shows,” Daly said. “When we heard about Battle of the Bands, we knew we wanted to be part of it.”
The Flukes are one of nine bands chosen to compete in the 13th annual Battle of the Bands from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday, May 6, at the Community Concert Center in Central Park, 104 E. Benton Ave. Sponsored by the Naperville Park District, it’s a musical event that high school rock bands look forward to each year.
“It’s a big event here and a lot of people know about it,” said Ryan Gowdy, Naperville North sophomore and member of Manhattan Moonmen, another band selected to compete. “It’s a great opportunity and great exposure for us.”
Joined by fellow band members Dominic Lacalamita, Jennifer Ashley and Steve Davila, Gowdy is set to perform three original songs during their 15-minute allotted time.
“It’s a fun event,” said Fred Gusel, Naperville Park District program director and Battle of the Bands coordinator. “These are kids who enjoy music and are working on their craft. We try to do different things to incorporate as many Naperville youth as we can. This is another venue for kids to participate in the community and have a sense of community.”
More Top Picks Irons
Residents are invited to attend the free, all-ages show. Besides bragging rights, the top three bands as determined by a panel of volunteer judges will have the opportunity to play again, this time before an even bigger audience.
The first-place winner will perform at Ribfest and will advance to the Illinois Park District Association’s Regional Battle of the Bands competition. The second- and third-place finishers will play at the Naperville Park District’s Rollin’ on the River series on the Riverwalk this summer, and the second-place band will also open for the Barn Farewell Celebration on June 4 at the Barn Recreation Center, 421 W. Martin Ave.
“Playing at Ribfest would be a tremendous honor and Rollin’ on the River would be great, too,” Daly said. “Obviously, going into it you want to win, but there are so many good bands in it this year. I know a lot of them really well and they are great musicians. It’s going to be great to see everyone there and just fun to be part of it.”
Jane Donahue is a freelance reporter for the Naperville Sun.
BATTLE OF THE BANDS COMPETITORS
Second Grade, Neuqua Valley High School
Whatever You’re Into, Neuqua Valley High School
Hot Famales, Neuqua Valley High School
Opaque Blind, Metea Valley and Neuqua Valley
Manhattan Moonmen, Naperville North and Naperville Central
The Works, Neuqua Valley High School
Bunny Repellent, Naperville Central High School
The Flukes, Neuqua Valley High School
Something to Live By, Neuqua Valley High School