Josh Castro
The Legends Band
Da Kine Band
Sugarking
THE Liberation Day carnival grounds will host the Battle of the Bands on Saturday, July 15, with four acts performing their original music.
Liberation Day Committee Chair Nadine Deleon Guerrero said the competition will feature original lyrics and melodies centered on this year’s theme, “Resiliency Rising.”
The main prize is $1,000, and the winning song will be featured in all advertisements and promotions leading up to Liberation Day 2024.
The competing musicians are The Legends, Sugarking, Da Kine, and Josh “Zengzung” Castro.
“Liberation Day is a time when we remember our family members who are no longer with us while we also cherish the present with our loved ones,” said Donovan Castro, lead singer of Sugarking.
Castro will share the stage with his bandmates, Edward Diaz, Herbert Sablan, Eric Atalig and Albert Leon Guerrero. Since winning a battle of the bands in 2021, they have performed at various community events such as the Taste of the Marianas.
Castro said they wanted to work on original music, and the Liberation Day Battle of the Bands was the motivation to achieve their goal.
And, although they know they’re in a competition, the members of Sugarking want to promote camaraderie. “Cheer for the other musicians. Dance to their music and be in the moment!” Castro said.
Seasoned veterans
The Legends, for their part, are Alfred Saures, Al Cabael, and Ben Limes.
They are known for their blend of local tunes, which consist of island songs and selected oldies music.
“The songs we’ll perform will remind us of how we are living together surrounded by the beauty of the islands, the beautiful people and children of the CNMI from different cultures,” said lead singer Alfred Saures.
As seasoned veterans, composing original music was “not a challenge” to the Legends. This Saturday, they will do what they do best — rock a stage.
“We are honored to participate with the other talented bands — it’s great for all of us,” Saures said. “For the Legends Band, it really isn’t about competition, but about a song that could be shared anywhere in the world to reflect the life in these islands and who we really are as a people.”
Shake
In Chamorro, “yengyong” means “shake,” which is what Josh “Zengzung” Castro is prepared to do on stage when he performs “Resiliency Rising.”
“I heard about the competition on the 24th, wrote the song on the 25th, practiced it on the 26th, and sent in my audition on the 27th with only a few minutes to spare before the original deadline,” he said.
“The challenge in creating something unique, powerful, and inspiring for my community in a short amount of time is something I enjoy, and has made the preparation for the event memorable,” he added.
Zengzung expects his love of music, joy in performing, and jam sessions experience to highlight his performance on competition night.
“Participating in this competition has influenced me to get curious again about music, and explore new ideas,” he added.
Beyond the fear
Also participating in this year’s Battle of the Bands is Da Kine featuring father and son Larry and Kui Lee, John “Jay” Babauta, and Dennis Morante.
Kui Lee said their original song “ ‘Till Forever (Music)” has its roots in his experience when he pushed beyond the fear, loss and hopelessness he felt during the super-typhoons and the pandemic.
But every member of the band contributed “big time” to the composition of the song, he said.
“Everybody contributed their own flavor to the music,” Lee said. “Jay had the idea for the chromatic riff at the end, and Dennis had an idea to switch up the bass and drum rhythm at the post chorus of the song.”
The Battle of the Bands will take place at the Garapan Fishing Base starting at 7 p.m. and will be live streamed on the Saipan mayor’s Facebook page for those who can’t make it in person.
