Musicians we remember, hair we'd like to forget: Legends of Rock-Offs past

Sure, Ray Lamontagne is selling out live shows all over the place now. But not all that long ago he was just another kid ditching class and brawling in the halls of a Morgan, Utah high school.

Maybe his biology teacher (who secretly rocked out to Bad English and considered himself a "with it" kind of fellow) thought he recognized a glimmer of musical direction in the kid. Or maybe he wondered if this Lamontagne boy would ever get his stuff together and at least graduate - maybe hit up a trade school and learn a skill or something.

It's a wonder what a high schooler might become. But it's a safe bet that most of our now-famous rockstars, crooners and singer-songwriters were once just unknown kids in a band, jamming with their pals in a skanky basement in the suburbs of some unknown town.

Thank God for skanky basements in the suburbs.

And bless things like Maine's Reindeer Rock-Off - the annual battle-of-the bands event - for giving high school bands the stage. True, many of the Rock-Off bands go their separate ways after high school (or sooner - it's a volatile time, high school is). Guitars are replaced by medical school entrance exams and drummers put down the sticks to take jobs in the family business.

But every now and then the music stays. And every now and then we get to say, "We remember them when..."

For the last 25 years, Rock-Off has given high school bands across Maine the chance to compete for cash and/or recording prizes, as well at the title "Best High School Band in Maine." For the last ten or so of those years, MaineToday.com has played an online role - posting band information, photos, music clips and whatnot.

This being the final year, Rock-Off Director Louis Philippe passed along a stack of old photos and newspaper clippings collected from over the years. Hilarious stuff, flashbacks to hair of yesteryear (and to the folks who were in Portland long before I was, remember a free entertainment publication called "Sweet Potato?")

But there are a few faces from Rock-Off past that many of us might recognize.

Take these guys. Anyone look familiar?

That'd be Howie Day on the bottom there with his buddies from "Route 66" circa 1996. Heard of 'em, right?

How 'bout these rockinish kids?

That's Jon Roods in the hat, Dave Gutter with no hat and Matthew Esty on the drums in the band Aces Wild in 1991. You'd know Jon and Dave better now as members of Rustic Overtones.

Of course, not all the Rock-Off bands went on to find musical fame and glory. But their old-school photos are a riot anyhow. And hey, one of these kids might be your insurance agent or next door neighbor now.

The band Trooper sporting the always classy leopard print back in 1987.

Under Fire (under all that hair, I'm guessing).

It's a shame all the Rock-Off has to come to an end, but Louie's putting his energy into other projects in the months and years ahead. But should there be anyone out there inclined to pick up the Rock-Off baton, please do.

Because Maine's got musical talent. And music makes the world go 'round, at least in a more audibly pleasing fashion.

Check out this year's Rock-Off lineup and show these kids some love. (because in ten years, when they've skyrocketed into stardom, you might need to borrow some cash. Get on their good sides NOW).