On Saturday December 18th, 2004 five pop and rock bands competed in the third prelimenary round of the \'Kleine Prijs van Dordt\', a regional band competition in The Netherlands.
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According to the jury, the quality level was high this night. They had a hard job selecting a winner. Eventually opening act Bodar & the Bellboys made the best impression and were crowned as winning act.
Hailing from Dordrecht Bodar & the Bellboys played in their hometown. With a slightly unusual line-up of piano, drums, bass and vocals, the band played beautiful pop songs with great melodies and inventive twists. Thanks to the fresh sound of the formation, the lack of a guitarist was not missed. Bodar & the Bellboys featuring Geert Teekens behind the drum kit, deserved a place in the finals on April 9th, 2005. What\'s more, singer Ofke was nominated as \'best singer\'. This price was to be announced after all preliminary rounds have passed.
Next on stage was The Saturnine from Voorburg (near The Hague) featuring drummer Dennis Leeflang. After the pop delivered by the first band, The Saturnine served the crowd a taste of rock. Catchy songs and tight team playing asserted a good set, during which Dennis and the rest of the band clearly enjoyed themselves well. Vocalist Sander has a good throat though he should vary more in his singing, according to the jury. Moreover some songs lacked a bit of originality and the band should develop their own sound more.
Coming from Ridderkerk (near Rotterdam) Bob Sync was the third band, featuring Dennie Spruit on the drum throne. The band played \"nice rumble rock\" according to the jury, but the same members of the jury judged the rumbling parts too much of a good thing. Besides their stage presentation could use some improvement and the songs need more dynamics and variety to keep attention, commented the jury.
After Bob Sync it was up to the all girl band pEp, like Bodar & the Bellboys coming from Dordrecht. pEp served pointy rock songs with catchy melodies. Drummer Klaartje van Engelen did her bit with pounding beats and deep grooves. The enthusiasm and spontaneity of front woman Ella were infectious. pEp is a grrl band with balls and gloriously ended up second. Hence the musicians get a second chance during the semi finals on February 26th, 2005.
Last band of the night was Rotterdam based Desperados of the Freakfire. The band\'s gig was characterized by great songs with hit potency, good collective playing and an excellent vocalist. Drummer and percussionist Daan van Diest made a good impression too. Sadly this band lacked originality as well according to the jury. On top of that the close harmony singing was out of tune on several occasions. With minimal difference in jury points Desperados of the Freakfire missed their ticket to the finals. A small comfort might have been the nomination of vocalist Mike as \'best singer\'.
The next preliminary round for the \'Kleine Prijs van Dordt\' band competition will be held on Saturday January 29th, 2005. Again five bands will compete in the category pop/rock.
So far punkrock outfit E110, metal band Mythlorian and Bodar & the Bellboys have won a ticket for the finals. In the semi-finals pEp will compete with Last Breath Denied.