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"15 Minute Sets To The Max!", is what the flyer
says, but what does that really mean? In the case of the UGZ
Speed Trials it means that the participating bands will playing
as fast as they can for up to 15 minutes, and if they go over
the 15 minute time limit, then they will be executed on the spot
(aka disqualified). Not just fast, but intense and fast. While
speed and intensity seem to go hand in hand, it is extremely
important that bands address both from a performance standpoint.
At the first ever UGZ Speed Trials, VOETSEK basically won by
being more theatrical, more comitted, and more intense than anyone
else on the bill. Sure they are fast, but you are talking about
a bill that had IRON LUNG, DYSTROPHY, and DOPPELGANGER on it.
While I wasn't a judge (and never will be), it seemed clear to
me that VOETSEK'S intensity, as well as their extensive use of
props and a "pit crew" made all the difference in the
mind's of the judges.
Q: Is it a good idea to drastically alter your normal set
in an attempt to seem faster?
A: It depends on how it's done. Speed for the sake of speed
doesn't appear to work. It comes off as contrived more often
than not. At the 2004 year's Speed Trials, ESKAPO played a stripped
down set. They didn't change songs, but they did scratch some
of their slower songs from their set list. That may have helped,
but what really won it for them was the lack of pauses between
songs, and the intensity that they brought to the event. They
had the biggest pit, and almost every song was a sing along.
Were they the fastest? In my opinion (once again, I avoid judging
so that no one can claim that the event is rigged without looking
painfully uninformed), DOPPELGANGER, KEEP LAUGHING, and even
SMD were maybe faster. Speed isn't the only deciding factor.
On this page you will find some first hand accounts from
past Speed Trials events, as well as a look back at our (UGZ
Magazine's) connection to the bands and venues that have participated
in the first few Speed Trials shows. After every Speed Trials,
there are people who feel that it was fixed, rigged, whatever.
This happened the most after the first UGZ Speed Trials when
VOETSEK won. It hasn't happened as much since the second UGZ
Speed Trials in 2004, but it has happened. The bottom line is
that we (UGZ) don't cheat for anybody. We have relationships
with a majority of the bands on our Speed Trials bills, and we
are very up front about that. This is the reason that we let
the judges decide.
The 2005 Speed Trials will take place on November 26th
at Gilman in Berkeley, CA. It will feature some old friends of
UGZ Magazine, and some newer entries as well. Please come out
and help make this year's Trials the best one yet!
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