By Sarah Schwartz ’10

The Student Programming Board’s Battle of the Bands hits The Chat Saturday, Feb. 27, at 8 p.m. After watching four local bands battle, Arcadia students will decide which band gets the title of 2010 champion and a contract to play at this year’s Woodstcok concert.

Blackened Blue, one of the bands playing, offers a refreshing perspective on making music. Unlike bands that are only motivated by fame and fortune, the band states it has one mission: to make quality music. So rather than selling away their creative freedom, they independently produced and released A Brief Moment of Clarity in 2008.

They also bring a variety of unique and heavy-hitting elements to the stage. Intricately woven guitar riffs, driving percussion and unique ear-catching melodies are adorned with thoughtful, introspective lyrics, producing an inimitable sound experience. Some of their musical influences include the Foo Fighters, 311, and The Red Hot Chili Peppers.

Blackened Blue performs regularly at popular venues in the region, including the Crocodile Rock in Allentown, the Trocadero Theater in Chinatown, and the Clubhouse Bar and Grill in Newtown. With plenty of performance experience, they’re ready to take on Arcadia’s challenge and go head-to-head with other regional and national acts such as The Energy, The Goaround and Our Fair City.

So what does Blackened Blue think will give them the edge? The band has established a close bond growing up together in suburban Philadelphia. Frontman Josh Nieto explains, “We’re all best friends, so we’re doing the thing we all love most with the people we’re closest with. It’s a win-win scenario. We just love so many different things about music, combing them all in our own way. We play songs that are musically challenging, yet easy to listen to.”

The band also has very close ties with Arcadia. Alumna Liza Ostrow ’08 is sister to drummer Matt and bassist Zach. But the band’s connection to Arcadia doesn’t stop there. Since Liza has moved on to the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine for graduate work, Nieto’s brother Joel has become an Arcadia student.

Will their brotherly bonds and local experience be enough to win the title? It’s all up to the students to decide.

Check out the bands before attending: