MENDOCINO COUNTY — By rocking original songs and a country cover of Led Zeppelin”s “Rock and Roll,” a Lake County rock band won Battle of the Bands and $1,000 Saturday at the Mendocino County Fairgrounds. Rukkus members Chris Davis, Lance Parks, Nick Ford and Sam Karnatz pulled the most audience votes in competition with four other bands.
“Pretty much everybody liked us,” Davis said. “I didn”t have anybody throw anything at me. It happens ? not to me ? but I”ve seen it.” The Mendocino County Deputy Sheriff”s Association held the inaugural Battle of the Bands benefit Saturday in Booneville to raise money for scholarships. An ebb-and-flow of people stopped to see the band play that formed just three months ago. Davis said the band tweaked up the country from its usual southern country rock. Davis of Lakeport plays the guitar and is the lead singer. Parks also lives in Lakeport and plays the drums. Ford of Cobb joined to play bass and Karnatz of Clearlake is the lead guitarist.
“We were there just to have a good time and ended up winning,” Davis said.
Rukkus played about 12 songs on Saturday.
Parks said the band was “pickled” when they won.
“People in the other bands said we were the best,” Parks said, adding that was the coolest part. The forming members of Rukkus gave different reasons for playing. “As far as why I do this,” Parks said, “to invoke an emotional response in somebody. That”s probably the biggest payback you could get.” Davis cited a different pull.
“I just want to write songs. Who knows, maybe someday somebody will hear it and want to buy it.” Rukkus played recently at Cobbstock and plans to do some recording. The band will post fliers when it has shows scheduled. People interested in booking the band can contact Davis at davisthndrbrd@aol.com or 481-3111. The band has music online at myspace.com/rukkus707 or at youtube.com by searching Cobbstock Rukkus.
“We”re good, but we could get so much better, when we”re tight and playing together longer,” Davis said.
Contact Katy Sweeny at kdsweeny@gmail.com or call her directly at 263-5636, ext. 37.
