From Reindeer Rock-Off HQ: "As submitted by Dora Clements, McAuley Student, Rock-Off Stage Manager, and a friend of the local music scene:

Reindeer Records held the first half of their 21st-annual Rock-Off competition Sunday. The show started promptly at 2 p.m. and there was a great crowd waiting anxiously at the door to get in and hear the music that was to come from some excellent high school bands from all across the state.

Overall, about 350 people showed enthusiastic support for 10 young bands who poured out their talent in what will inevitably be a very, very tight competition. Dennis Boyd (found in the recent "Fox23 Teen Idol" contest) graced the stage as the oficial MC and brought on the slate of yesterday's featured bands:

 Apagon (Scarborough High School) Midriff (Scarborough High School) Blame It on Dan (Lewiston High School) Specter (Leavitt Area High School) Every Person’s Call (Presque Isle High School) Grand Slam Breakfast (Erskine Academy) Quinze 'N Pheenie (Biddeford High School) The Prague Boy's Choir (Falmouth High School) Aimless Drive (Scarborough High School) The Shams (Home-schooled).

Each band brought something different and original to the table as McAuley Performing Arts Center was filled with a variety of sounds from hard rock to punk, jam to emo. Every band put on a great performance that definitely gave the judges a lot to think about. When they weren't on stage, the musicians were busy shmoozing and networking and hawking some very interesting merchandise.

The stage crew and the sound crew (L-A Music Factory) were flawless in their professionalism and the show wrapped up 30 minutes ahead of schedule.

The second half of Rock-Off 21 will be held next Sunday, April 10, at 2 p.m., at McAuley. Nine more bands will present their live showcase, and then the field will be narrowed to five bands for the final round of competition. The top five finalists will be announced at the end of the show next Sunday, after a guest appearance by Reindeer Recording Artists Alteria (who were actually discovered in the Rock-Off)."