At the beginning of every spring semester, student-formed Washington University bands compete at Battle of the Bands for the chance to perform as the opener at WUStock, the Congress of the South 40’s annual concert. This year’s Battle of the Bands is this Saturday, Feb. 3. Before you head over to Ursa’s to be a part of the action, meet this year’s contenders.

Devin and the Atmospheres

Formed in the fall of 2014, Devin and the Atmospheres will be performing at its fourth Battle of the Bands this weekend. Started when the majority of its members were freshman, the band is influenced by new wave and synth-based rock music, with influences from New Order, The Cure, The Strokes and The Killers. Veterans to the competition, band member senior Ray Lo said, “I think we have changed in the sense that we are just trying to have a good time and present our original music to people.”

Fun fact: The band features a trumpet player.

Doug Addicts

A newcomer to the Battle of the Bands scene, with a goal of trying to make no two songs sound too familiar, Doug Addicts was formed this past October by four freshmen. This is the band’s first performance, but each member has almost a decade of music experience. Although they have a varied style, the song they are playing at Battle of the Bands is more rock and psychedelic. As stated by drums player junior Jack Goldberg, they “hope this is the beginning to a long road of both Battle of the Bands and performances in general.”

Fun fact: All four members of the band speak some degree of Mandarin Chinese.

The Snapchettes

“Pop music with elements of funk, soul and improvised jazz” is how sophomore Andy Lewis describes the Snapchettes, whose songs are in the style of ’60s pop groups, but with lyrics about the modern era. The band was formed just this past semester after one member had written a song about Tinder and some Wash. U. jazz combo and KWUR members were all put in a group chat together. Their motivation to perform in Battle of the Bands was to share their tunes and get people off their butts and on their feet.

Fun fact: Band members Jake and Tucker both like wearing hats.

American Poetry Club

Originally a solo project from junior Jordan Weinstock, American Poetry Club became a full band this past October with their most recent five-person lineup beginning two weeks ago. The name is a reference to the Xuannan Poetry Club, which met starting in 1804 to discuss the political state of the Qing Dynasty. The band sees themselves as more of a club, with a constantly fluctuating membership and an emphasis of equality amongst group members.

Fun fact: A video of their music has more than 20,000 views on YouTube.

Sami Pathak and the Good Samaritans

With a backstory full of twists and turns (that, according to band member sophomore Dylan Coe, will come out in their memoir “Possibly: A List of Our Adventures”), Sami Pathak and the Good Samaritans was formed in November 2016. Despite having competed in 2017’s competition, the lineup has changed significantly with a new lead singer and drummer. All members played in rock bands before coming to college and describe their music as a combination of classic rock, metal and blues. If you get a chance, ask about their backstory. You won’t be disappointed.

Fun fact: The band has different names depending on who’s playing and who’s not.

Skyler Kessler | Student Life

Student band Devin and the Atmospheres performs as an opener for BORNS at WUStock in 2016. Devin and the Atmospheres will participate in Battle of the Bands in Ursa’s Saturday.

Sunsulking

Former members of a previous Battle of the Bands competitor formed this band whose style, described by Aidan Huxley, is “slow, distorted, melodic, simple tunes.” Both band members have played their respective instruments, jazz bass and the drums, for years. After last year, when the band both members played in got disqualified for encouraging the audience to dance, they formed Sunsulking, a slower band, after becoming tired of playing fast.

Fun fact: Both members always wish they were asleep.

Entries current as of Jan. 29.