This past weekend in Chicago was the final chance for bands to advance to the quarter finals and move one step closer to the Taubertaul festival in Germany. Despite low turnouts bands and fans alike came alive when the lights went up and it was show time. Thursday Night was one of the most Diverse selection of bands I have yet encountered on this tour. Starting the night was the Circe de Solea inspired Rachel''s Surrender performing dance music with a gothic touch, and one cranky Violin. Next was the heavy Metal of Shred. Also with dueling vocals, they more resembled the screams of dying pigs than anything else. But then again that was the point. Greywood performed an acoustic set with one Guitar, Mandolin, and Violin. Even with the mics feeding back in their faces, good songwriting shone through and helped these youngsters on to the quarterfinals. Nice Peter is what the fans were screaming on Friday Night at the Note in Chicago. Definitely the highlight of the weekend, this witty group improvised through half of the set by riffing off the crowd and holding down the music with three chord progressions. The comedy continued with their single “Fuck Guitar Center” which described the woes of many musicians that encounter the retail giant. Having participated last year in Chicago, Nice Peter defiantly has an extra leg up on the competition. Saturday was the last chance for bands to perform in the first round. None Taken, Mad Hornet After Hour, and Point 08, wasted no time snatching up spots in the semi''s with straight ahead rock and a professional attitude all around. There were energetic performances from some of the younger bands, especially Against the Rest and Lost Cause. By having to cut school for meetings, and travel into the city during rush hour, they learned a lot by participating in the festival. Despite having the deck stacked against them, I think with one more year of practice under their belts we will see them back again making noise in 2006. With everything wrapped up for the prelims, there is no rest for those who want to succeed. The Quarter finals begin this week back at the Note.