For a decade, teens have had opportunity to win

Area bands have a chance at a bit of fame.
By JOHN BENSON
vindicator correspondent
CLEVELAND -- We live in a reality television world where apparently everyone is entitled to achieve their dream -- oftentimes at the expense of their own dignity -- no matter how farfetched or inconceivable.
Good or bad, this also applies to our high school youth, who have spent nearly a decade watching Britney, Paris and Ashlee, with their varying degrees of talent, beauty and good fortune, become adults under the watchful eye of the paparazzi. Naturally, the odds are against any local teenager ever appearing on MTV's TRL, being featured in US Weekly magazine or running around in celebrity circles.
However, there is a local institution that offers high school musicians a chance to be in the public eye, experience the spotlight and perhaps achieve a dream by performing on stage at The Odeon Concert Club. For the last 10 years, The High School Rock Off, now sponsored by Mountain Dew MDX, has given thousands of teenagers a fleeting glimpse of rock 'n' roll stardom.
This year is no different with 72 area bands selected to perform over three semifinal weekends: Jan. 6-7, 13-14 and 20-21 at The Odeon. Each night will result in three groups selected to perform in the finals on Jan. 28. While the 18 finalists will record one song for a compilation CD, each will compete for a $15,000 grand prize package that includes $500, a shopping spree at Sam Ash Music, a complete set of Audio-Technica microphones, three-hours recording time at MetroSync Studios and the opportunity to open for a national act at Tower City Amphitheater.
And a bonus
In addition, the winning band will be filmed performing a 45-minute concert in front of a studio audience. Also, the winner's high school band fund will receive a $200 donation. Second place gets $250 and a $150 donation to their high school band fund.
Whereas talent may mean more than experience at the Rock Off, one area band is hoping to capitalize on both when it comes to this year's event. Another Found Self, which features members from Boardman and Austintown Fitch High Schools, made it to the finals in 2004 but failed to qualify in 2005.
"There was definitely some disappointment," said 18-year-old Mark Catalano. "It was odd because last year half of the judges absolutely loved us and there were a couple of the judges that for some reason just hated us."
When it comes to experience, not many other bands have a comparable resume to that of Another Found Self. Formed two years ago, the quintet has dozens of shows under its belt, including performances at The Grog Shop, The Cleveland Agora and most recently The Cellar.
Despite the pop-rock band's lackluster results last year, it did make the cut to perform, which is more than hundreds of other hopefuls can say. Catalano said Another Found Self doesn't lose sight of what the Rock Off provides.
"Yeah, we've always thought of the Cleveland Rock Off as just a good experience," Catalano said. "And whether we win or lose, we're getting constructive criticism from judges, which is good to look over and to see what we can improve and what we can keep."
Another regional band with experience is Ursuline High School alt-rock act The Fuzzy Dice, which features Rock Off veteran Nick Szugye (guitar, mandolin, vocals). Szugye, who performed with his brother's band, Sleepyhouse, three years ago, believes he has insight that can help his Third Eye Blind-inspired group. Said Szugye, "I'm trying to give them hints on what I found was a better way of performing while you're there -- just be relaxed and have a good time."
Among the regional bands scheduled to perform at the Rock Off are Ursuline and Hubbard high schools' Russian Winter (Saturday), Another Found Self (Jan. 14) and The Fuzzy Dice (Jan. 14).