The last band standing for the cash prize of $800 was Smokestack Jacks. Guitarist Dave Bullied and drummer Geoff McDonald were ecstatic as they came off stage, receiving hugs and congratulatory greetings from the other bands.

“This is very big for us,” Bullied said minutes after the results were announced.
“It feels like all the work we’ve done in the last two years has paid off,” McDonald said.
Bullied admitted that the last show had him a little concerned about the results.
“The competition was fierce. I thought Caste of Shadow had us, man. I’ve been standing in the corner since nine, sweating,” he said before laughing and pulling out his phone.
“I’m sorry. I have to text my mother.”
The pulsing music soaked right into adrenaline and pulsed through the blood of audience members at Fridays Band Wars.
Bands ranging from metal to hip-hop
to rock displayed their talent at the event, organized and hosted by the Lethbridge College Students’ Association at the D.A. Electric Barn on campus.
While only one band emerged a winner, each got exposure to an audience of roughly 400 people.
The other bands, with the likes of Penny Fortune who came in second place, closely rivalled each other all night.
Heavy-metal band Caste of Shadows finished off the night with a performance that had most of the audience on their feet and landed the band in third place.
The bands were judged by four people: Tony Deys from Country 95.5 and B93,
Steven Foord from the Owl Acoustic Lounge, Mase One Promotions, and DJ Booda from DJ Booda Promotions.
Smokestack Jacks was formed in Lethbridge back in 2008 by Bullied and McDonald. Their self-titled album is their second, released under Ghostwood Re- cords in 2010 and available on iTunes.
Bullied and McDonald plan on making good use of the $800 prize.
“Gearing up,” Bullied said. “We’ll invest it back into the band,” McDonald added.
Other bands who participated were the Living Luca, Matt Robinson, Kenzi Kill, Enceladus, Deadvoice, Pilgrimage of the Lost and Clapping Monkeys.