With Spring Fling just around the corner, participants in this year’s Battle of the Bands were eager to land a spot on this year’s line-up. Last Friday, crowds flocked to Eclectic and cheered on as student bands, each allowed five songs for the night, fought for the honor of opening for Ghostface and Raekwon, The Walkmen, and Wavves. Despite stellar performances from all bands, Flora & Fauna emerged victorious, capturing stage time for this year’s concert.

The first band of the night was Apache Kid. While the crowd had yet to really fill out, they played a fun set for those who had shown up early. Apache Kid let their instruments do most of the talking, opening the show with a loud and trippy bang.

Treasure Island was up next, and the only band with a female member. Described as indie-pop by guitarist Jason Katzenstein ’13, Treasure Island got the crowd really moving for the first time. The set was an upbeat, fun, and pop-driven collection of songs that reminded people it was time to dance.

Third in the line-up was Yeoman’s Omen, and it was definitely a crowd pleaser. Featuring a guest appearance on harmonica by WesCeleb Steve Hunter, the band brought a strong funk, jazz, and rock combination to the table. With a barefoot lead singer and a keyboardist in his sweats, Yeoman’s Omen rocked a different vibe and look than the rest of the night’s bands. They had a great back and forth with the audience, and people were sorry to see them go.

The final band of the night was The Japanese. Easily the most energized performers of the night, The Japanese won the crowd over early on, getting people moving and dancing. With a nice blend of revving people up and letting the guitars and keyboard hold them there, The Japanese provided a contagious energy and an excellent end to the show.

Flora & Fauna took the stage to loud applause, and ultimately won the night. A mostly senior line-up (Gabe Gordon ’11, Adam Gunther ’11, Matt Bernstein, ’11, Charlie Ellis ’13 and Skidmore’s Casey Baird), Flora & Fauna have been a staple on the University music scene since its inception in 2008. Bernstein, Baird, and Gunther have played music together since before coming east for college. Flora & Fauna as a Wes band is three years old. The group competed but lost in the Battle of the Bands in 2008, making its win this year all the sweeter.

“It’s awesome,” said Gunther. “I didn’t do a thesis, but there could not be a better capstone to the whole experience. We competed sophomore year and didn’t win and now that this is happening, I’m happy about that. It’s much more meaningful.”

Bernstein, too, expressed excitement at their victory.

“It was thrilling to win the Battle of the Bands, particularly after losing two years ago to a band that covered Morris Day and Time’s ‘Jungle Love,’” he said. “You can’t argue with ‘Jungle Love.’”

The members are more than excited to open for groups of which they are personal fans.

“I used to go see The Walkmen every time they came through town,” said Bernstein. “I’ve seen them maybe five times, so it’s very exciting to be opening up for them!”

For others, opening for some of hip-hop’s legends is the most eagerly anticipated event of the concert.

“I’m super juiced to be opening for Ghostface,” said Gordon.

For their Spring Fling performance, the band plans to have some new material. They are mindful of the following they’ve gathered on campus, though.

“Hopefully we’ll work out some new songs in the next few weeks,” Gunther said. “This semester it’s been all new material though, so I don’t think we’ve worn out those songs yet. For the first time people know our songs, or some of our songs, and that’s a huge step. We don’t want to go against that. I’m really touched that people have taken to us as they have.”

Amidst all of the recent concert controversy on campus, the Battle of the Bands did not escape unscathed. People have criticized the way judges were picked and the fact that Gunther is a member of Social Committee, the group responsible for organizing Spring Fling. Social Committee members picked judges for the contest, meaning that no one from the Committee was actually on the panel. Gunther says that he sees no conflict of interest.

“I recused myself from the process,” he said. “I am on the Social Committee—I have been for three years. It’s not written in the by-laws that members can’t compete. My band was selected to play and I didn’t pick a judge. There was a representative [Sky Stallbaumer ’12] from the Concert Committee in my place. I understand the conflict of interest, but it has never been an issue in the past. Social Committee bands have competed this year, last year, the year before, and this is the first time a Social Committee member band has ever won. I understand on the surface it seems shifty, but within the standing bylaws and how things are done, it’s not exceptional.”

All said, the night was one filled with Wes kids doing what Wes kids do best: having a good time and making good music. All those who can’t wait for Spring Fling’s May 6date can check out Flora & Fauna’s Bandcamp site (florafauna.bandcamp.com) to tide themselves over.