Five dollars for a cab. Five dollars for cover. The clock strikes midnight and it is time for Spectators; such is a typical Saturday night here at Iona College. Last week, however, Specs decided to kick-start the weekend by acting out of the ordinary to host a Friday night crowd.

Usually a patron of the Ionian classification who ventures to the pub hopes for a bar-room packed with their fellow students, a DJ and a night of dancing too hard; but on Friday, Feb. 24, Spectators teamed up with RocAway Companies to put on a “Battle of the Bands.”

Some peoples’ concept of live music does not reach far beyond a well-manicured individual catering to the eardrums of the crowd from behind a table. The DJ will do this while piloting a PA system and sub-woofer that will make your knees shake and your head ache. We love our DJs, they are everyone’s best friend. They can spin out exactly the tune you need to hear to get the blood flowing.

But RocAway Companies’ Battle of the Bands offered an alternative to this fast-paced night life; instead of being crammed onto a small, sweaty dance floor, bumping elbows with that kid from your Spanish 202 class who only seems to acknowledge your existence within the parameters of the bar, you could comfortably sit at a table with a basket of fries, a round of cold drinks and a group of good friends. Contrary to common belief, those booths actually serve a higher purpose than a place to cry when the night goes south.

Seeing as this event was competing with an Iona Men’s Basketball game, attendance was low, but the energy in the bar was at full form. There were three acts competing for the grand prize to be awarded at the conclusion of the evening: one gift card valued at $150 to Sam Ash music stories, two Sony brand home-recording software programs, and (saving the best for last) one large pie from Blackboard Pizza.

It was a friendly competition, but let’s face it, all three bands really wanted that pizza. The first act, a solo performer under the alias “Too Many Wolves,” started the show with a pair of original songs followed by two well-known covers. The highlight of TMW’s act was the point in his set when a member from the panel of judges accompanied the performer onstage for a foot-stomping three and a half minute rendition of Mumford and Son’s number one single “Little Lion Man.”

After a brief intermission to change bands, Kool Sneak took to the stage with an effort to try their hand at claiming that free pizza. Kool Sneak’s sound was highly influenced by the 3-chord party rock bands of the 90’s such as Blink 182 and Green Day. Their band possessed a notable chemistry as they seemingly spoke their own language to each other while they issued the smooth changes in progression. This energetic group of performers finished their set with an old favorite, “All the Small Things,” by Blink 182. Work sucks gentleman, and we all know.

It was then time for the evening’s final performance, The Good Ones Are Taken. TGAT was fronted by a strong female vocalist who, with a Joan Jett demeanor, led her band quite honorably in the quest for free pizza. Taking their cover songs to an extreme, they closed the show in fashion with AMC’s newest hit show when they played “Zombie” in memory of the Irish alt-rock band, The Cranberries.

Feb. 24 offered a sweet taste of musicianship from young talent. The three acts effectively enhanced the evening of all those who shelled out their five bucks for admission. It was quite literally a night well spent.

Fifteen minutes after the final band finished their set, the judges had reached a verdict. The pizza that had been formally up for grabs now belonged to an owner whose name was written on a manila envelope. With much anticipation the judges announced the victor: Too Many Wolves had won the pie. What a cliché.

Next time the chance presents itself to go see live music where sounds come out of the instruments people are playing, give it a shot, you’ll probably enjoy yourself. After all, it is not easy to top an evening full of friends, spirits and good music