By Jessica Thrasher, Contributor

Rock Lobsters everywhere will be scuttling down to The Union to see this year’s highly-anticipated Battle of the Bands! This Thursday, November 7, ACRN will once again host the ever-gnarly battle in which bands from Athens and beyond have a chance to be crowned the winner, as decided by the noble Union audience.

From Athens, The Talk Show Hosts will be in attendance for our listening pleasure! The charismatic four-piece rock group has conquered stages and various porches over the past few weeks, making waves in the local scene. Guitarist Zach Baker will be performing with both The Talk Show Hosts and the Zappers.

Next on our stacked roster is Kid Primitive, an alt-rock group hailing from Cleveland, Ohio. They boast an energetic set infused with rock, punk and indie sounds. A Kid Primitive set is contagiously fun and not to be missed.

Ananke (pronounced An-ah-kay) has Cleveland blood as well; brothers Sean and Marty Bradesca are Cleveland natives who have recently started a band in Athens. There are five members total, including Ted Bucha, Jonas Evans and Ben Stewart. Their sound is influenced by bands like Big Thief and Goose, which culminates in a unique indie-psych rock style, with noise elements sprinkled in.

Blush is a recent addition to the local music scene and is looking to make a statement. Blush is a five-piece, all-female Athens music supergroup working to provide good tunes whilst carving some more space for women in the local scene. Their sound is influenced mainly by 90’s girl rock, such as Blondie, and more contemporary sounds like Dazey and the Scouts. 

The final contender is Zappers, another relatively new, five-piece, Athens-based group. Coming hot off of their Paw Print Park show, Zappers is looking to prove that rock isn’t dead with a sound shaped by both classic and prog rock. 

We hope to see you there, Rock Lobsters! Come out to support local music and to cast your votes for the Battle of the Bands! Doors open at 7 p.m. and music starts at 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $8 for 21+ and $10 for those under 21.