What some have called the world’s longest active Battle of the Bands made its 51st installment Saturday, Feb. 8, at the Reed L. Buffington Performing Arts Center of Chabot College. Twelve local bands took the stage in hopes of getting their spot in the limelight and securing a set at the August 23 Band Fest.

Outside it was cold and raining, but inside the mood mimicked the electric feedback from the amplifiers of these bands, who ranged from acoustic soloist, to hair metal, to a rock and big band fusion. 1960’s Blues seemed to be thematic amongst the groups who each added their own indie music twist.

After the lights dimmed and the theater filled up, MC Mick Flaire took stage fully embodying the nostalgic rock and roll look complete with a bowling shirt and headband.

Flaire ecstatically announced the performers and gave his own words of wisdom, “There is no mainstream. All there is, is music… I’m 60 years old and I still rock,” proclaimed the Bay Area music veteran.

The judges gazed down from the mezzanine at a stage divided in half so as one band played the next could be setting up.

In a Battle of the Bands there is no time for a performer to be “fashionably late,” for the bands needed to fit in as much music as possible in their 15 minutes.

Four bands were awarded prizes: first, second, third and for “The Flaire” the band chosen by the master of ceremonies to be recognized despite not placing in the top three. All of the groups present went through an audition process beforehand to narrow the talent into a show that put forth a small festival-like atmosphere.

The crowd erupted in cheers and hugs for 10-piece band, Time Frame, who rushed the stage distributing triumphant embraces after taking home first prize in front of what seemed like their entire families.

Time Frame was one of four bands from Manteca, Calif. and one of three coming out of the same music school, GK Music. The band brought together many genres including classic rock, big band jazz, and ska, with a full five piece horn section.

They sang two originals, “Think Again” and “Faith” and did a brassy cover of Santana’s “Corazon Espinado” that had much of the crowd up and dancing despite the seated arrangement.

“As funny as it sounds, Amy Winehouse is probably my main influence, because she has that old bluesy style,” said lead vocalist Andrea Elisa Martinez, who ran down the aisle in heels after their band was announced the victor.

The band was among the youngest of the contestants with their oldest member, and lead singer, only being 18 years old.

Second place went to the slow burning, blues-rock, swing vocals of Gigantis from Concord, Calif. Third place went to the speed metal head bangers, Catatonic Society, who thanked Satan for the victory, then, took on the “Do-It-Yourself” ethos by giving away free CDs in the lobby. Finally, “The Flaire” went to hair metal revival band Faith and Bullets, also from Manteca, Calif.

“Rock is about having fun and that’s what we’re about,” said lead singer Stevie Mayhem who did just that as he belted out lyrics and made use of all the stage the venue permitted.

For many bands this was one of their first shows outside of their garage. Lo Fi blues rock band, Love Lamp, from Fremont, Calif. gave a fresh spin fusing 1960’s Rock and roll with 90’s alternative despite only being together two months.

“I wrote a couple of songs and I thought my brother could help make them sound really good,” said frontwoman Melody Sesma of her brother Roburt who plays bass and sings back up. “I really like the Yeah Yeah Yeahs and we’ve been listening to a lot of Shannon and the Clams,” she continued describing their musical influences.

“We just need to put some soul and emotion back into lyrics,” challenged Faith and Bullets bassist, Abel Gunner Lynch, and that is what this show provided to the still alive and kicking East Bay rock and roll scene.

Band Fest will be held Aug. 23 at Memorial Park in Hayward.