Sycamore Battle of the Bands winner to play at State Fair

ROCKFORD – What started with a game of “Rock Band” has led to not only a victory in Sycamore’s first Battle of the Bands competition but a chance to play at the Illinois State Fair in front of potentially thousands of people.

The origins of Rockford rock band Desolation Row are unusual, but the method has worked for the four teenagers who have conquered Sycamore’s and Algonquin’s musical competitions to secure a spot at The Shed at the county fairgrounds for a noon show Saturday.

Alex Spors, the 19-year-old lead guitarist and vocalist, has been involved in music most his life, but it was not until he saw his cousins, Jared and Jacob Hoey, playing, faux instruments on the video game “Rock Band” that the idea for Desolation Row was hatched.

Despite taking no lessons and only playing the bass and drums for the past three years, the Hoey brothers and Spors, along with his good friend Jarrett Finley, have teamed up to create a four-piece rock unit on the rise.

“We honestly had no idea what to expect from this,” Spors said. “Over time, we started to think we could accomplish something with this.”

The band’s sound, influenced by the likes of Van Halen, ACDC, Journey and some modern rock, has already impressed many in the region. Desolation Row had its first gig at an open-mic in South Beloit in 2010 and has not looked back, opening for bands that come through the area on tour and even recording a demo in a Rockford studio.

For 17-year-old drummer Jared Hoey, it’s been an unexpected ride he now sees has unlimited potential. Hoey, who said he taught himself to play drums by ear, said the state fair is the next step in the band’s development.

“It was pretty intimidating,” he said of the first couple shows. “But now we just want to go down there and have fun and get extra exposure.”

While the fledgling band has experienced live shows and studio sessions, the Sycamore Battle of the Bands on July 1 gave the band a taste of something new. Spors said it was the first time the band had a sound guy dedicated to setting up the stage for its specific sound.

“We had a really good sound guy and that was new for us,” Spors said. “We’ve just always enjoyed the competitions.”

Desolation Row went on to defeat five more bands at the regional level to earn the trip to the state fair and a chance to win free studio sessions.

The band’s success is validation for the Sycamore Park District’s new venture and more motivation to continue the program in coming years.

Dan Gibble, executive director of the Sycamore Park District, said he wants to focus on providing more programs for the older youth and Battle of the Bands is one way to engage that demographic.

“We’re excited for them,” Gibble said. “We’re going to have even more bands next year and we hope it can continue to grow.”

Win or lose Saturday, Tom Spors, Alex’s father and band manager, said opportunities such as Sycamore’s competition and the looming state fair have been a blessing and fun experience. Tom Spors, who coordinates the practice schedule and books gigs, said it has been phenomenal to see the band evolve and all the members keep a level head and focus on education despite the hectic schedule.

How long the band will stay together is unknown, he said, but the journey has been rewarding.

“As a parent, this has been the funnest thing I could have ever imagined,” he said. “It’s been a blast. They will get up there and give it their best show [Saturday], and I can guarantee people will talk about it.”