Banzai Awards

The people have spoken, via the Pitch Music Awards, and they have declared Lawrence-based newcomer Salt the Earth to be the area's finest hardcore/metal act. But now it's time for Club Wars mastermind and metal mogul Jim Kilroy to have his say at the thirteenth annual Banzai Awards Show. Many of the winners earned the honors at an earlier band competition (trophies will go to Club Wars champs Sound and the Fury and Audio Kombat Arsenal, plus Annihilation top dog Intent), and Kilroy announces the rest in advance, so Organic M singer Brad Kinne will take the stage knowing he's got the Outstanding Vocalist prize on lockdown. What the event lacks in suspense, it compensates for with high-volume live performances and local headbanging star power, with members of Thrust, Bent, Substance, Soulless and Baloney Ponyz scheduled to accept accolades.