Human Races Run best in Germany
_medium.png)
The German Final of the GBOB Challenge 2009 has been won by a band from…wait for it…Denmark! Yes, as if to prove that music has no borders, four-piece rock band, Human Races Run (pictured), who travelled from Copenhagen, were the judges’ choice from an otherwise all-German line up in the final at a packed out Kulturbunker in Cologne.
The winners of the audience vote were Mighty Vibez from Fulda and there were guest performances from Germany 2008 winners Curanderos and 2008 finalists Emmy Shot A Unicorn. Also winners on the night were alternative rock band Cryptex from Hannover who got themselves a management deal from an invited management-agency.
GBOB Challenge China 2009 videos
We have two promo videos from the very eventful China leg of the GBOB Challenge 2009. Video 1 is an overview of the whole event, which included qualifying heats in Beijing, Hong Kong, Macau, Shenzhen and Shanghai. Video 2 shows the performance of Rustic from Beijing, the winners of the National Final who are heading to London for the World Final on January 31.
GBOB Challenge Netherlands opens
_medium.jpg)
The GBOB Challenge Netherlands, with past winners that include Drive Like Maria (pictured) is now open for registration with qualifying rounds at the fabulous Extase club on December 6 and 20. After a short break to recover from the excesses of Christmas and the New Year, the National Final will take place at the same venue on January 10. To register click here.
The Netherlands is a small country that punches above its weight musically and we always get good bands from there. One former winning band from the Netherlands have been particularly successful. Drive Like Maria, who won in 2005, have since played in Mexico and toured the USA extensively. This year the won the coveted support spot when the AC/DC world tour rolled into Amsterdam. They have also supported ZZ Top and Motorhead in recent months. Their new CD is out now.
Explicit Licks win in Norway
The GBOB Challenge Norwegian Final 2009 was one of the tightest ever thanks to the quality of all the finalists. But after much careful deliberation and pencil throwing the judges eventually declared Trondheim rock band Explicit Licks (pictured) winners by the narrowest of margins.
Explicit Licks are young, enthusiastic and pulled off the performance of a lifetime to beat Divided Youth who came second. Mirrorfall in third place, Nasty Reputation in fourth and Tomrom in fifth also deserve a special mention, but Explicit Licks will be the band heading to the World Final in London on January 31. We look forward to seeing them there.
Umlala takes GBOB Israel
After kicking off its inaugural year with a modest six qualifying events, the GBOB Challenge Israel caught on fire and ended up staging an astounding 15 qualifying events to cater for the sheer number of bands that wanted to participate. Several months later in a heavily contested final, Jerusalem band Umlala edged out some better-known competitors to take the title.
Leaning on their unique brand of alternative pop, Umlala impressed the six-member judges’ panel just enough – coming just two points ahead of their nearest rival, two-piece noise terrorists Carusella, in second place with alternative rockers Cecil B Demented a close third. Umlala will now head to the GBOB Challenge World Final in London on January 31.
