Horsham Singer Ready to 'Battle'

Frontman Brad Steiger and the rest of his band of five years, Solid Ground, craft original alternative rock.

So, last year when Steiger and company placed second in Lower Moreland High School's annual battle of the bands to a cover band, it was a tough loss for Steiger.

"We lost by one decibel," Steiger, of Horsham, said of the contest, which measures the winner by the loudest applause.

But, for this year's go round with seven other area bands, Steiger is ready - and not just in the rehearsal sense.

"The idea is to bring out a lot of people," said Steiger, a 2012 Philmont Christian Academy graduate, along with the rest of his band. "The Lower Moreland bands are going to have kind of home court advantage."

Steiger has taken to Facebook to try to draw a bigger crowd in his band's honor.

Lower Moreland High School senior Kelsey Sandler, one of the organizers of the ninth annual event, said 100 to 200 people generally turn out for the three-hour battle of the bands, which doubles as a fundraiser for the graduating class. 

"This year we reached out to connections at other local schools, and music programs such as School of Rock to recruit new and interesting bands," Kelsey said. "We also have two returning bands from last year to try and redeem themselves."

The crowd favorite wins 10 percent of the proceeds and two hours in a recording studio, Kelsey said. 

For Steiger and the rest of Solid Ground - which is comprised of trained musicians who began playing together in eighth-grade - winning studio time would help expand upon the band's offerings. Currently, the four-piece has a self-titled digital album available. Two hours in the studio could mean either a live album, or a new song, Steiger said. 

"That’d be pretty cool," Steiger said of the possibility of rebounding from last year. "It’s more about just having the opportunity to be involved with a great event.

If you go

Lower Moreland High School's ninth annual battle of the bands will be held from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Jan. 12. The school is located at 555 Red Lion Road in Huntingdon Valley. For more information, see this events listing.