HAAM’s Corporate Battle of the Bands

No need to utter that classic dream-crushing quip, “Don’t quit your day job,” at tonight’s Corporate Battle of the Bands, where groups of gainfully employed musical hobbyists compete for amateur rock dominance. Acts aren’t slugging it out for record deals and instant stardom. They’re raising money for the Health Alliance for Austin Musicians.

One of Austin’s noblest and most necessary non-profits, HAAM provides access to low-cost healthcare for uninsured local musicians. They currently offer over 2,000 performers with medical, dental, vision, hearing, and psychological services.

After HAAM Benefit Day, this yearly event is the organization’s second biggest annual fundraiser, reaping $73,500 last year, and plays out on a stage most local musicians would salivate over the chance to perform on: ACL Live at the Moody Theater. Nine acts get it done early, 6:30-9pm, full-time employees from tech companies, hospitals, grocery stores, and other sponsoring businesses showcasing their musical skills and competing for Best Cover Band, Best Original Band, and Grand Prize Winner.

A panel of judges, including Austin musicians Patricia Vonne and Nakia, as well as longtime local broadcast journalist Olga Campos, determine the victors. This year’s Grand Prize Winners receive a day of recording at Ray Benson’s Bismeaux Studios and passes to the ACL Music Fest.

Last year, vacation rental magnates HomeAway brought home top honors with their workforce band the Slakes. For tonight, we predict the spoils going to Do512’s Free with RSVP, which boasts ringers in Zlam Dunk’s Ross Bennett and Hello Wheels’ Matt Bradshaw. Not only did they invent a ludicrous band history, we hear they might be playing a certain mid-Eighties anthem proclaiming one’s right to party.

Tickets for the show are $15. Here’s the full schedule, complete with clever band names.

6:30pm: Free with RSVP (Do512)
6:50: Heavy Waters (Drillinginfo)
7:15: Sleeping on Silver (Wenzel Spine)
7:40: Low Rent (Seton Healthcare Family)
8:05: Code 55 (HEB)
8:30: Foot Traffic (HomeAway)
8:55: The Atomic Large Band (Intel)
9:20: Gigawatts (Clearesult)
9:45: Superhet (Cirrus Logic)