The Mohawk was rocked in downtown Buffalo; the eliminatory rounds are now complete. The fittest bands have survived the seven-show test and “rock school” will take a break until we hit the Tralf. Here are some highlights. Night One: Blank Statement played old school skate-punk with curb-grinding intensity. Helicopter Graveyard was out in left field with a mix of under-ground eighties style new wave. Ricky Lee Watson and Black Jack showed the youngsters how to play country-rock and their instruments. Night two: Vacancy stole the show and a bunch of new fan (my-self included) with a baritone guitar, drum-machine, and bang on vocal harmonies. Confirmed Kill made double sure they were dead by firing off shots of broken glass vocals and drop-what-the-fuck-ever tunings. Night three: Canto V led us through a set of metal, scream vocal, and melodic harmony. The Mind Automatic played an interesting mix of samples, keys, and sweet dual guitar, topped of by dynamic vocal-work; and to watch for. Night four: Rex Banner (the band with the coolest name) brought the whole damn family on stage including horns, guitar, keytar, and vox, to play their special blend of ska and punk. The Unwanted Superheroes took over by unleashing their massive stage energy. Night Five: Woke Up In Vegas has woke up in buffalo by being a killer rock band. Citizen Dick played a silly-ass, sarcastic, rockin rollin, version of garage punk. Night six: Standard of Living battled very effectively with hard rocking keyboard sound. Dark Alone show off a fierce heavy metal trio. Night seven: Soundscape Project stole the show with a twisted version of heavy rock and turntables