Rock-Off of Yesteryear

It's been 25 years of fond, fond memories. And hair. There was a lot of hair back in the day.

Rock-Off History

ROCK-OFF 1

May 6, 1983 Portland Expo WINNERS: (can't remember-if you do, let us know) OTHERS: AMBUSH (Gorham), BATTERY STEELE (Portland), INTRUDER (Portland), TEMPEST (Gorham), WHITE PAWN (Falmouth) and ? (Deering) Highlights: $3/adv; $4/door. Attendance 300

ROCK-OFF 2

May 27, 1984 Portland Expo WINNERS: DRIVER (Bonny Eagle) OTHERS: AMBUSH (Gorham), BLITZKRIEG (Falmouth), BATTERY STEELE (Portland), CROW (Deering), ILLEGAL JAM (Yarmouth), INTRUDER (Portland), LAZER SHARP (Cape Elizabeth), LIQUID SKY (Portland), MOGEN DAVE & THE WINOS (Portland), STANDSTILL (Westbrook), TEMPEST (Gorham), WHITE PAWN (Falmouth) and THE WIZZARDS (Yarmouth) Highlights: Best attendance to date: 1,500. BUT, improper procedure by light & sound engineer hired for show created a power surge which forced the show to be rescheduled. Ticket prices increased to $4/adv; $6/door.

ROCK-OFF 3

Spring 1985 GREAT MAINE ROCK-OFF, Fantasy Hall, Windham WINNERS: CONGRESS (Gorham) Greater Portland RO, Portland Expo: WINNERS: ILLEGAL JAM (Yarmouth) OTHERS: BLADE RUNNER (Deering), DOUBLE VISION (Cape Elizabeth), LAZER SHARP (Cape Elizabeth), MAMMOTH (Falmouth), THE OPPRESSED Deering), SCREAMING SAINT (Cheverus), SUITE ANGEL (South Portland), TROOPER (Westbrook) and WHITE PAWN (Falmouth) L-A RO, Multi-Purpose Center, Lewiston: WINNERS: PROJECT IV (Lake Region) OTHERS: AFTERMATH (Lewiston), HAVOC (Edward Little), OMEGA (Edward Little) and SYMMETRY (St. Dominic) Northern Maine RO, Calumet Club, Augusta: WINNERS: ILLUSION II (Nokomis) Southern Maine RO, Tradewinds, Old Orchard: WINNERS: CONGRESS (Gorham) OTHERS: APACHE (Waterboro), BEYOND RECOGNITION (Gorham) FAIR WARNING (Steep Falls), HY FLYER (Steep Falls) and SAPPHIRE (Sanford). Mid-Coast RO, Geno's, Portland: UNCALLED FOUR (Brunswick) Highlights: First time sponsored by The Maine Musicians Association.

ROCK-OFF 4

Spring 1986 Portland Expo WINNERS: LIBIDO (Deering) * OTHERS: AFFIRMATIVE ACTION (Portland), AFTERIMAGE (Westbrook), ANTHEM (Deering), ARMAGEDDON (Falmouth), CINEMA (Falmouth), RECENT PAST (Greely), REEK (Portland), THE SOURCE (Deering) and TROOPER (Westbrook) Highlights: Controversy created when error discovered in judges tallies and LIBIDO was announced new winner over THE SOURCE.

ROCK-OFF 5

Spring 1987 Reiche Community Center, Portland WINNERS: ATLANTIS (Westbrook), FACULTY X (Westbrook), SUBURBAN UNDERGROUND (Greely), THE TRADE (Waynflete) and TROOPER (Westbrook). OTHERS: Highlights: First vinyl compilation of top 5 bands.

ROCK-OFF 6

Spring 1988 Reiche Community Center, Portland WINNERS: THE BAKED POTATOES (Cape Elizabeth), CONSPIRACY(Westbrook), LOW TOLERANCE (Portland), THE TRADE (Waynflete) and TROOPER (Westbrook) OTHERS: FATAL SACRIFICE (Windham), ST. ROSE (Bonny Eagle), UNDER FIRE (Portland) and UNIFIED FIELD (Greely) Highlights: RO88 is named one of the best local rock shows by Maine Sunday Telegram

ROCK-OFF 7

Spring 1989 Reiche Community Center, Portland WINNERS: THE BRIDGE (Scarborough), ICE (Yarmouth), SIDE EFFECT (Deering), THE TRADE (Waynflete), VICTIMS OF GRAVITY (Westbrook) and WALK ON FOUR (Greely). OTHERS: ESSEX (Gorham) and MIRAGE (Gorham) Highlights: ICE disqualified for profanity

ROCK-OFF 8

Spring 1990 Deering High School, Portland WINNERS: AERIAL SUITE (Windham), BROUHAHA (Camden-Rockport) , COLD REIGN (Noble), CROSSWINDS (Westbrook) and SIDE EFFECT (Deering) OTHERS: AXO (Kennebunk) and BLACK ONYX (Noble),

ROCK-OFF 9

Spring 1991 Deering High School, Portland WINNERS: ACES WILD (Gorham), AERIAL SUITE (Windham), MASQUERADE (Belfast), SIDE EFFECT (Deering) and WRAITH (Sumner) OTHERS: BLACK CHERRY (Brewer), CROSSWINDS (Westbrook), THE DELIVERY BOYS (Mattanawcook Academy), FARM DOG (Waynflete), FROLIC (Lisbon), HEDFIRST (Lawrence), LEGACY (Mt. Ararat), MORNING LIFE (Mt. Ararat), OUT OF REACH (Westbrook), PAID PROPHECY (Portland), TOUCH (Lewiston) and VITAL SIGNS (Bucksport)

ROCK-OFF 10

Spring 1992 Deering High School, Portland (Showcases at The Wherehouse) WINNERS: STICKFIGURE (Mt. Ararat) OTHERS: BASILISK (South Portland), BOB=X (Deering), D.S.I. (Lewiston), EUPHORIA (Medomak Valley), FORBIDDEN CITY (Belfast), HAPPY CHURCH DINNER (Edward Little), HOOLOOVOO MONK (Bucksport), HYDRA (Noble), LITTLE FISH (Bucksport), MINOR NINTH (Morse), MUDANT (Lewiston), NEMESIS (Lee Academy), OPTION 9 (Fort Fairfield), PARADOX (Lincoln Academy), THEME PARK (Deering), TOMMYROTIC (Freeport) and URBAN MASSACRE (Camden-Rockport) Highlights: 18 bands (the most to participate)

ROCK-OFF 11

Spring 1993 Wrong Bros Pub, Portland WINNERS: POLYGLOT (Mt. Ararat) OTHERS: CANNIBALISTIC HITMEN (Rumford), CRASH ALLEY (Presque Isle), DOUBLE EXPOSURE (Edward Little), FROWN BELOVED (Kennebunk), HYDRA (Noble), LOST BABY (Waynflete), ONE FRIED CHICKEN (Waterville), RUST (John Bapst), SCREAMING TEARS (Wiscasset), THE TRAVELING TEMPLE OF THE FUZZY MONK (Bucksport) and URBAN MASSACRE (Camden-Rockport) Highlights: Last year event is sponsored by The Maine Musicians Assocation.

ROCK-OFF 12

Spring 1994 Wrong Bros Pub, Portland WINNERS: DEAD EYES EMERSON (Westbrook HS) OTHERS: DAISY LIZARD (Sacopee Valley), GLASS ONION (Lincoln Academy), HOLLOWED SOUL (Van Buren), JAVA (Morse), JYM BRIGZ (Edward Little), PHLUX (Machias), POLYESTER JULIET (Orono), THE SOUNDINGS (Greely), SOUR MASH (Berwick Academy) and TASZIA (Portland) Highlights: First time sponsored by Reindeer Records

ROCK-OFF 13

Winter 1996 Raoul's, Portland WINNERS: SHUFFLIN' TREMBLE (Gorham HS) OTHERS: AGAPE (Bonny Eagle), AWKARD DOG (Yarmouth), BUNGMONKEY (Waterville), CAPTAIN HORNET (Medomak Valley), IBIS (Wiscasset), MIDNIGHT JUSTICE (Noble), PIPEBOMB (Freeport) and SCROD (Windham)

ROCK-OFF 14

Spring 1997 Granny Killam's, Portland WINNERS: BLOOM (Gorham HS) OTHERS: THE AGENTS OF TALL & DARK (Edward Little), AWKWARD DOG (Yarmouth), BLISTER (Lubec), BOSS (Edward Little), CONTINUAL FLUX (Medomak Valley), DIVE (Caribou), DUGEN (Old Town), HAPPY TO BE ALIVE (Massabesic), JUNKBUCKETS (Livermore Falls), MOSSBOY (Edward Little), SCHRODINGER'S CAT (Bonny Eagle), SINK (Greely), THE TERRY FERGUSSEN TRIO (Yarmouth), TRIPWIRE (Gorham) and YELLOW PISCES PUBLIC COUNCIL (Easton) IDLE MOMENTS (Kennebunk),

ROCK-OFF 15

Fall 1998 Toucan Lounge, Lewiston WINNERS: THE BOTTLE ROCKET KINGS (Buckfield HS) OTHERS: AGRAFAB (Brewer), CHAPIZA (Penquis Valley), CORRIDOR (Windham), DEFUNCT (Windham), HOWIE DAY (Brewer), JIVING MISS DAZY (Medomak Valley), LOTUS BLOSSOM (Cape Elizabeth), LUDICROUS (Brewer), MONOLITH (Hermon), MOSAIC (Orono), POLAR GROOVE (Maranacook) and RANSOM (Cheverus)

ROCK-OFF 16

Spring 2000 McAuley Performing Arts Center WINNERS: JEREMIAH FREED (York HS) OTHERS: BARIUM (Poland Regional HS), THE NUMBERS (Hyde School), POLAR GROOVE (Maranacok Community HS), SLAP DASH (Brewer HS), STATIC (Machias Memorial HS), RANSOM (Cheverus HS), CHAPIZA (Penquis Valley HS), ASPHALT (Narraguagus HS), JIVING MISS DAISY (Medomak Valley HS), CONSTRUCTIVE INTERFERENCE (Narraguagus HS), BOLD DEAL (Thornton Academy), CHAOS THEORY (Mountain Valley HS), TREBLE UNDERFOOT (Cape Elizabeth HS), SECOND CHANCE (Portland HS), MARKIE'S KITCHEN (North Yarmouth Academy), PALE-540 (Mountain Valley HS), BAND-X (Mount Abram HS), THE TAXIS (Deering HS), SUFFOCATE THE WILL (Gray-New Gloucester HS), HAZING INCIDENT (North Yarmouth Academy), TWISTED ORBITAL FIEND (South Portland HS), FORTHCOMING (Portland HS), SAGE (Foxcroft Academy)

ROCK-OFF 17

Spring 2001: McAuley Performing Arts Center, Portland WINNERS: THE PAWN SHOP CADDIES (Mountain Valley) OTHERS: ÉAND SO IT BEGINS (Kennebunk), BLIND BELIEF (St. Dominic Regional), CHAOS CONTROL (Mountain Valley), CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE (Windham), DOCTOR LOVE (Washington Academy), ETHER (Deering), FORTHCOMING (Portland/Deering), FORTUNES OF WAR (Mountain Valley), FRIENDS OF WALTER (York), GATLUN (Rockland District), GEN TV (Gorham), GLORY TRAP (Thornton Academy), HIBRYD (Lewiston), JEMS (Narraguagus), JEROBA (York), JINXED (Hall-Dale), KUNG-FU FRIDAYS (Brewer), PARADOX (Leavitt Area), PUNK JAZZ ASSASSINS (Kennebunk), SECOND CHANCE (Portland/Deering), SELF ASTEAM (Mt. View), SEXGRIND (Erskine Academy), SEXTION-8 (Massabesic), SHATTERED (Lake Region), SIMPLE SIMON (Noble), SLAPDASH (Brewer), THE ESOTERICS (Hermon), UNBORN (Winslow), VAKMIL (Presque Isle), WAY TO FAIL (Sanford)

ROCK-OFF 18

Spring 2002 McAuley Performing Arts Center, Portland WINNERS: GLORY TRAP (York) OTHERS: 0% REAL (Lisbon), AXIOM (Deering), BLACKLINE (Gorham), CARLISLE (Monmouth Academy), CONTINUUM (Evergreen-Sudbury/Gardiner), DYNASTY (Yarmouth), FEEDBACK (Nokomis Regional), IMBIBE (Erskine Academy), MIDDLE GROUND (York), NARIO (Lewiston), NOTA BENE (Berwick Academy), PLAYING FOR THE WALL (Leavitt Area), POZER (Poland Regional), POZER (South Portland), PUNK JAZZ ASSASSINS (Kennebunk), THE MILE RACER (Portland/Deering), THE MISTAKIDS (York), THE ROGER BOX (Portland), UNBROKEN HABITS (Herman), WHERE'S CLARENCE (Waynflete/Cape Elizabeth)

ROCK-OFF 19

Spring 2003 McAuley Performing Arts Center, Portland WINNERS: FREE ASSOCIATION (Gardiner/Hall-Dale) OTHERS: ALTERIA (Lisbon), A.T. SWEET (Gardiner/Hall-Dale), CARLISLE (Monmouth Academy), DECKER (Mt. Ararat/Brunswick/Morse), DULLARD (Falmouth/Deering), ILL HUMOR (York), JACINTA (Leavitt), LOWER B (Bangor), PLAYING FOR THE WALL (Leavitt), POLE STAR HOTEL (Rockland), POZER (Poland), ROCKTAGON (Falmouth), SNOW ECHO (Medomak Valley), SPACIAL GUEST (Hall-Dale), STILLVIEW (Thornton Academy), TEJANO DOG (Yarmouth/Gorham), THAT'S WHAT SHE SAID (Deering/Cape Elizbaeth/Scarborough/Falmouth), THE MOJO CAFƒ (Mt. Ararat), THE SLURPEES (Portland/Deering), THREE DAYS TIL TOMORROW (Waterville), TURNDOWN (Wells), UNBROKEN HABITS (Hermon/Hampden Academy), WIMP COMB (Mt. View)

ROCK-OFF 20

Spring 2004 McAuley Performing Arts Center, Portland WINNERS: SAMMIE FRANCIS (Gorham HS) OTHERS: FEDORA VISTA (Monmouth Academy), SPECTER (Leavitt Area High School), STILLVIEW (Thornton Academy), THE PROMISE THEORY (Cheverus/Cape Elizabeth HS), THREE STARS FALL (Gray-New Gloucester HS), TONY BITETTI (York HS), PORCELAIN (Deering/Falmouth HS), CHESTER AND THE OVERANXIOUS SPARROWS (Falmouth HS), MR. NICE GUY (Falmouth/Yarmouth HS), STRANGE DAZE (Brunsick HS), POZER (Poland Regional HS), ENTROPY (Falmouth HS), GRAND SLAM BREAKFAST (Erskine Academy), PRIMER (Fort Fairfield HS), ONE OF THE FEW (Hall-Dale HS), THE MJO CAFƒ (Mt. Ararat HS), MIDRIFF (Scarborough HS), ACHAIA (Massabesic HS), PAST INSANITY (Lisbon HS), DR. THUNDER (Cape Elizabeth HS), WILSHIRE (Mt. Ararat HS), 2 GIRLS LATER (Thornton Academy/Kennebunk HS), THE LEFTOVERS (Portland/Deering HS), THE ERROR (Falmouth HS), CARMINE (Thornton Academy), ORBITS (Maranacook Community HS). Highlights: First time a solo artist wins; First time a female musician wins!

ROCK-OFF 21

Spring 2005 McAuley Performing Arts Center, Portland WINNERS: O.R.B.I.T.S. (Maranacook Community HS) OTHERS: SPECTER (Leavitt Area HS), MR. NICE GUY (Falmouth HS/Yarmouth HS), BURMA'S BRAVEST (South Portland HS), FREE REFILLS (Cape Elizabeth HS), PASSING LANE (Waynflete/Portland HS/Deering HS), EVERY PERSONS CALLS (Presque Isle HS), JAMWICH (Falmouth HS), THREE TIMES NOTHING (Massabesic HS), FIRST IN FLIGHT (Yarmouth HS), AIMLESS DRIVE (Scarborough HS), GRAND SLAM BREAKFAST (Erskine Academy), INTEROBANG (Erskine Academy), QUINZE N' PHEENIE (Biddeford HS), THE SHAMS (Homeschooled), THE PRAGUE BOYS CHOIR (Falmouth HS), BLAME IT ON DAN (Lewiston HS), MIDRIFF (Scarborough HS), APAGON (Scarborough HS)

ROCK-OFF 22

Spring 2006 McAuley Performing Arts Center, Portland WINNERS: PASSING LANE (Deering HS, Portland HS, Waynflete) OTHERS: WAITING ON IAN (Georges Valley HS), ROCKSMYTHE (York HS), COUNTER PRODUCTIVE (Deering HS), THE GLORIA RED (Biddeford HS, Thornton Academy), NORWOOD (Deering HS), PASSING LANE (Deering HS, Portland HS, Waynflete), MODERN SYNDROME (St. Josephs School), DELUXE MOSES (Sacopee Valley High School), AIMLESS DRIVE (Scarborough HS), TONE DEAF (Deering HS), PHUNKADELICA (Maranacook Community HS), BETTER THAN (Gray-New Gloucester HS), FREE REFILLS (Cape Elizabeth HS, Waynflete), THE MASTERPLAN (Waynflete, Cape Elizabeth HS), HILLCREST DRIVE (Ellsworth HS), P,D AND J (Maranacook High School), THE SHAMS (Homeschooled), MILEZERO (Thornton Academy), THE PROJECT (Greely High School, Cape Elizabeth HS), PORK (Yarmouth HS, Falmouth HS), FORCE IT DOWN (Gray-New Gloucester HS), QUIET CONFORMIST (Freeport HS), BAYROOTS (Greely HS, Waynflete), THE IRKSOME MOTHER ORCHESTRA (Erskine Academy), WIZARD AND SHAZAM PRESENT THE REDICULOUS SPECTOR OF LIGHT (Erskine Academy), KELSO (Windham HS)

ROCK-OFF 23

Spring 2007 McAuley Performing Arts Center, Portland WINNERS: THE PROJECT (GREELY, CAPE ELIZABETH HIGH SCHOOL) OTHERS: CRASH THE END (MT. ARARAT HIGH SCHOOL, MIDDLE SCHOOL), POOR-JOHN (BRUNSWICK HIGH SCHOOL), DARK BRILLIANCE (RANGELEY LAKES REGIONAL, MOUNT BLUE HIGH SCHOOL), OUT OF BOUNDS (CONY HIGH SCHOOL), PUBLIC PLACE (HEBRON ACADEMY, WAYNFLETE), POINTS UNDEFINED (MBHS, JHS, LFHS), CONNERY (FRYEBURG ACADEMY), THE DOG STOMPING LLAMAS (BUCKFIELD JR. SR. HIGH SCHOOL), AVERAGE 16 (GREELY HIGH SCHOOL), NORWOOD (DEERING HIGH SCHOOL), BETTER THAN (GRAY-NEW GLOUCESTER HIGH SCHOOL), THE MARK GENNARO BAND (PORTLAND HIGH SCHOOL), UNIBALL (MARANACOOK HIGH SCHOOL, HALLOWELL), S4L (ELLSWORTH HIGH SCHOOL), TELEPHONIC BUTTER (ERSKINE ACADEMY), TOFU TEMPLE (ERSKINE ACADEMY), QUIET CONFORMIST (FREEPORT HIGH SCHOOL), CAPITAL (WAYNFLETE, CAPE ELIZABETH HIGH SCHOOL)

ROCK-OFF 24

Spring 2008 McAuley Performing Arts Center, Portland WINNERS: THE BRITISH INCLINE (Falmouth HS) OTHERS: 9TH RAIL (Brunswick HS), AFRO CHINSTRAP (Yarmouth HS), BETTER THAN (Gray-New Gloucester HS), CATO STREET CONSPIRACY (North Yarmouth Academy), CRASH THE END (Mt. Ararat/Cheverus), CROSSED OUT (Gorham HS), EGO TRIP (York HS), FIGHT OF THE FADING (Leavitt Area HS), GIRAFFE (Mount Desert Island), GRAFFITI (Mount Desert Island), GRAND THEFT (Rangeley HS), INFRASONIC (Scarborough HS), INTRODUCINGÉ (Windham HS), MILES AWAY (Freeport HS), MINOR DETAIL (Yarmouth HS), NOT QUITE AND FALLING (Greely HS), OF RIOTS AND OUTBREAKS (Cony HS), PARK STREET BREAKDOWN (Freeport HS), SKAPOW! (Scarborough HS), SK…SH (Buckfield HS), THE BLUE STREAM BAND (Sanford HS), THE BRITISH INCLINE (Falmouth HS), THE GOOD TIMES (Old Orchard Beach HS), THE MARK GENNARO BAND (Portland HS), THE TWO-BIT MATTHEWS (Scarborough HS)