Rock-Off 25

Your Rock-Off 25 winner:

Entropy
Brendon Bouchard, Justin Chamberlain, John Keefe, Tyler Small, Spencer Small [Ellsworth HS] Ellsworth band wins Rock-Off 25

ENTROPY, a neo-classic rock quintet from Ellsworth HS, earned the title of Best Young Band in the State of Maine Sunday when Reindeer Records presented its 25th -- and final-Annual Rock-Off competition at McAuley Performing Arts Center in Portland.


An enthusiastic crowd of about 300 fans, friends and family members of all sizes and ages were on hand to show their support for this year's finalists that also included CROSSED OUT (Gorham HS), AUXILIARY (Massabesic HS), DYSFUNKTIONAL MAYHEM (Deering, Casco Bay, Portland, Cheverus and Lake Region), INTRODUCING... (Windham HS) and SINGLE HANDED (Bonny Eagle).

The show kicked off with a guest performance by Jordan Stowell of IN THE AUDIENCE, a whimsical rock act from Portland, and concluded with a crowd-pleasing appearance by THE SHAMS, a band that competed in Rock-Offs 21 and 22. THE SHAMS reunited just for the historic finale, paying tribute to the stage that helped launch their popularity.

Rock-Off Master of Ceremonies Ryan Woodbury, a senior from Gray-New Gloucester HS, entertained the audience mid-way with his brand of acoustic pop.

The Annual Rock-Off Awards Presentation provided an opportunity to recognize many bands and individual musicians for outstanding efforts in numerous categories.

Presenting ENTROPY with the last-ever Rock-Off title was David Ames, a well-known local working musician who was a member of the Bonny Eagle HS band AMBUSH, the very first Rock-Off winners in 1983.

ENTROPY formed several years ago when its founding members were in the 8th grade. Five years later, they would go on to win the Ellsworth Grand Theater Battle of the Bands, defeating many bands that had been signed to a record label. The band currently plays shows, but all the members are eager for something bigger. The band dreams of cutting an album, and becoming more than just a "local band."

Band members include: Brendon Bouchard - bass/vocals; Justin Chamberlain - lead guitar/vocals; John Keefe - guitar; Spencer Small - lead vocals; and Tyler Small - drums.

Kudos to all the talented bands:

Auxiliary
Cody Huntress, Zai Huntress, Matt Tetrick, Doug Russum [Massabesic HS] TO VOTE: Text "auxiliary" to 21321 (yes, we've spelled it correctly now) Crossed Out
Jake Hansen, Mike Tracy, Alex Verrill, Stephen Verrill [Gorham HS] TO VOTE: Text "crossedout" to 21321 Dysfunktional Mayhem
Charlie Bellafiore, Nick Bellafiore, Nate Polhemus, Ness Smith-Savedoff, Josh Staples, Gabe Terraciano [Deering, Casco Bay, Portland, Cheverus, Lake Region] TO VOTE: Text "dysfunktional" to 21321 Introducing...
Nahan Atienza, Deven Clements, Daniel Juergens, Adam Kinney [Windham HS] TO VOTE: Text "introducing" to 21321 Single Handed
Nick Buck, Clint Cyr, Perry Cyr, Andrew Deal [Bonny Eagle HS] TO VOTE: Text "singlehanded" to 21321 Apathy
T.J. Economy, Dylan Moody, Kyle Spear, Nathan Vannah [Medomak Valley HS] Express Assignment
Aaron Braxton, Scott Eugley, Eric Martin, Andrew Thompson, Thomas Yates [Cheverus HS/Thornton Academy] Johnny Jive & The Uptown Five
Tommy Bazarian, Carter Millken, Stephen Webel [Falmouth HS] The Loudest Mime
Sojo Braithwaite, Thomas Dodge, Gus MacDonald, Luke MacDonald, David Vitali [Freeport HS] Low Flying Airplanes
Mike Cormier, Andrew Gabrielson, Dan Wriggins [Yarmouth HS] Due to scheduling conflict, this band is not able to compete in the finals. The Mark Gennarro Band
Colin Ellis, Dominic Grosso, Cam Jones [Portland HS] The Nebs
Matt Grassi, Dominic Grosso, Cam Jones [Portland HS] Saga, of Sorts
Aaron Bartlett, Tom Bennett, Amos Cooper, Tyler Richardson [Gorham HS] Scotty and The Whale
Jared Fitzgerald, Louis Meola, Sam Milinazzo [York HS] The Shakedown Squad
Sojo Braithwaite, Darren Hicks, Matt McCollett, Mike McCollett, Jesse Urquhart, Stephanie Spencer [Monmouth Academy] Sons of Verona
Taylor Berryman, Luke Haines, Charlie Hood, Simon Tracy [Brunswick HS] Tastes Like Chicken
Cole Barbour, Aaron Clarke, Jake Naggy, Joe Njache [Rockland District Middle School] Ursa Minor
Kurt Nakinishi, Joseph Prosack, Duncan Scott, James Wright [Scarborough HS]