On September 29, the Guild Theater in Menlo Park was buzzing with youth, energy, and excitement as students from around the bay came together to enjoy a battle of the bands show. The event was put on by independent creative collective Vecino Lemonade, at 7 pm they opened their doors for a duel between  San José State University and Santa Clara University bands. 

On the San José side were bands Lovers Peak, La Sombra, and Itchy Knees. On the Santa Clara side were bands Pluie, Silk Road, and returning champions Vudu Caravan.

Cal Poly Pomona Apparel merchandising and management senior Daniel Villaseñor is Vecino Lemonade’s Co-Founder.

“We’re a DIY community without access to a small, accessible space. It’s really hard to do shows at bigger venues. The Guild really hooks us up, and we can do a ticket split after we cover the costs,” he said.

Villasenor said they planned to have some funnier little details in the show. These details included a short nature mockumentary, art auction, dance battle, and “Who traveled the farthest for the show?” competition. 

RTVF senior Christrian Drake from San José State, said the show was sick, nasty and great.

“It was great the first time, but this time, it was a lot more organized. The overall production at The Guild is pretty good,” Drake said.

The show started with DJ Wisdom spinning some tunes, an introduction to the bands by founding duo Daniel Villasenor and Kyle Dimick, and the first band, Silk Road.

Silk Road is a bay area-based, multi-genre band that represented Santa Clara University.

The next band was indie-rock duo Lovers Peak, bay area-based and representing San Jose State. . 

“You don’t usually see two people playing guitar. Especially because they’re twins, it’s pretty awesome. Super cool. And they got the crowd movin’ a little bit more.”

The next indie-rock band, Pluie, were crowd favorites, said Villasenor. Bay area-based, representing Santa Clara, they had their debut with Vecino last Battle of the Bands show in March.

“They’re just so funny. I think they’re hilarious,” he said Ollie, the guy singing but would talk in-between, he was so funny. He would scream, scream, scream ‘Hi mom’,” Vaillasenor said.

Villasenor says they got the crowd moving, and it was cool to have their unique energy.

Itchy Knees came on next, representing San José State. This independent, alternative rock band described themselves as a “three legged creature” in their Instagram bio. @itchykneees 

“That was actually their first show, but they have some awesome music on Spotify and good indie vibes. Their stage presence was nice, too,” Villasenor said.

“Their visualizer was sick and the paint with the black light was awesome, seriously. Their set was really killer, they came in second actually,” Villasenor said.

“Throughout the video they were making a joke about elephants, and then, well, there was an elephant at the show,” Villasenor said.

Marketing senior Sebastian Sanchez at San José State University, was there to represent San José with La Sombra, the show-enders. 

Sanchez plays guitar for the doom stoner-metal band. 

“And I sing and I scream occasionally,” Sanchez said. 

Other members of the band include Alan Sanchez on bass, and Aidan Casas on drums.

“This was way more, production wise, ‘out there’ than what we’re used to. But we just rehearsed, and that’s it. Just play our songs,” Sebastian Sanchez said.

“They hit me up a while ago, and asked if we wanted to do it. I was super hyped because I heard about the one last year- I didn’t know about it until the day after. And I thought that was super cool what they’re doing, promoting local bands,” Sebastian Sanchez said.

“If you come to other shows, it’s the same deal. We just want to play our music. You know, we get hyped on it and the homies pull up. We just get excited. It fires people up, so I think people really gel with the energy,” Sebastian Sanchez said.

Drake said his favorite band was La Sombra.

“I just think the lead guitarist was probably the most skilled, out of all the other guitarists in all of the other bands, and their overall music selection. It just hit different,” Drake said. –

“I was a wall cushion. I was making sure people didn’t get crushed against the railing when everybody was moshing,” he said.

“That was definitely the biggest mosh pit The Guild has ever seen. That was so sick to see La Sombra shred,” Villasenor said.

The band won $250 in cash, and a chance to open up for The Guild at another one of their shows.

“Shows now, they’re just very predictable, I feel like. Especially the time in between the sets. I think a concert experience shouldn’t just be the band’s, it should be the whole experience. From when you walk into that door, you should be somewhere else,” Villasenor said.