What’s more fun than a Battle of the Bands? Google the term and you’ll get 2,640,000 results. Talent contests have always been around, and they’re enjoying a heyday in the media with TV shows like American Idol. Thanks to that program, we can all enjoy the artistry of Clay Aiken. Maybe that’s not the best example, but we here at Artvoice couldn’t resist the urge to hop on the bandwagon. We came up with our own twisted, homegrown version called the Battle Of Original Music (BOOM!) and invited local original acts to submit a photo, a track, and responses to a few questions. Within a couple of weeks we learned a bit about the depth of talent out there as we became swamped with submissions. Nearly four hours worth of singles were listened to, and from that sea of material Artvoice staffers voted for their favorites. When those votes were counted, we arrived at sixteen contestants. Then, local music fans went to Artvoice.com every week, checked out the talent and voted. From this fiery crucible of public opinion, four local original music acts have emerged: Floozie, 50 Amp Fuse, Dali’s Ghost, and Kendall. Now it’s time to take the show out of the ethereal realm of cyberspace and into the confines of a live music club. When they each take the stage this Saturday they’ll be looking to win the favor of the crowd because all in attendance will hold one ballot, to assign to their favorite act. When those ballots are counted, one of the bands will win a recording package from Robby Takac’s Trackmaster Studio and CDs of that recording from ESP CD & DVD Manufacturing. The others will take home some new fans (maybe literally) and one third of the door. It’s all on the line and it’s time to throw down. So get there early and stay ‘til the end—when one of the area’s top original acts will win the opportunity to make a record.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 25 at 9pm. Nietzsche’s. 248 Allen Street (866-8539). $1