By JASON TRACHTENBURG

It was a cool August day in Lake City. Pioneer Days was upon us once again. But before the parade could begin, though, there was business at hand.

That business, of course, was the second annual Battle of the Bands, which was held on Aug. 7.

Six bands were selected from the many entries received by the Jet City Maven. These six bands were now competing for a $500 first prize, along with $100 awarded for second place and $50 for third. The stage was set for an interesting afternoon of music and entertainment in the Frontier Bank parking lot.

Kicking things off was the Ukulele Trance Project. This very unique act performed improvisational ukulele rock songs. These songs covered such relevant subject material as "pioneers," who were "in search of a City by the Lake" (Lake City!). Their fun, upbeat performance was embellished with the workings of an electric bubble machine. The Ukulele Trance Project pulled off double duty that day by also performing on the Kids Stage later on in the afternoon.

Next up was the surf stylings of Crystal Forest. This veteran Seattle band impressed the crowd with their genuine, vintage surf music and '60s style Northwest garage rock. Specializing in instrumental surf sounds (but also including some songs with vocals), Crystal Forest took the crowd back to the good old days of summer, surf and rock and roll.

The third band of the afternoon was Fragile Jack. Their fine-tuned professionalism complemented their sincere take on alternative countrified rock. The crowd was impressed by Fragile Jack's stage presence as well as their Americana-flavored tune smithery.

Whatever Works was the name of the fourth band set to do battle. The judges were immediately taken with the superb musicianship that this band had to offer. Whatever Works is fronted by a lead vocalist who sings in a style that is reminiscent of Dave Matthews, but without the spastic leg movements. Horns in the form of a saxophone were also featured in Whatever Works' musicically diverse set.

Up next was the uproarious funk of the Ghetto Monks. From the first note on, the Ghetto Monks had the crowd dancing and grooving to their original, funky, and rhythmic songs. These monks were tight and they knew how to lay down a groove. Their songs were filled with many dynamics and the band came across as being very well practiced as the result of playing many gigs together. The Ghetto Monks have an upbeat and original sound that creates an infectious, party-like atmosphere wherever they perform.

The sixth and final band of the afternoon was Third World County. They were the jazziest band of the day with the theme of space and time as their backdrop. Their performance was filled with extended jams that actually worked. This band seemed to take chances, musically speaking, to transport their song concepts to a higher level. The judges appreciated Third World County's diversity and overall feel that was reminiscent of the Grateful Dead, in their day.

The judges had a difficult road to hoe in deciding the winner. Which band would win the battle and walk away with $500?

After conferring for what seemed an eternity, the judges compared their notes and scorecards, went back and forth a few times, and handed their sealed decisions to Jet City Maven co-publisher Susan Park.

As Susan approached the stage and headed towards the microphone to announce the winners, an eerie anticipation filled the area that could only come from such a moment. Drum roll, please ... in third place we have Whatever Works; second place goes to Fragile Jack. And the winner, and this year's champion of the battle is ... the Ghetto Monks.

A good time was had by all. Our thanks to this year's battle of the bands sponsors: Linda Tenney Toyota, Cranium's Cool Collectibles, The Jet City Maven, Roosevelt Auto Body, and Frontier Bank. Double thanks to Frontier Bank for letting the battle take place in their parking lot. Thanks to Boeing for generously donating the use of the huge stage. Also, thanks to the two hard-working, and very musically competent judges, Steve Smith from the Seattle Drum School, and Forrest "Woody" Anderson. These judges were fair, reasonable, and professional in their decisions.

We'll see you next year at the Battle of the Bands ... 2000!