The second annual Battle of the Bands will feature the local bands Artemis, Dreams, Big Picture, Loose Shoes, and the X-Tras Wednesday.

The battle, presented by the NIU business fraternity Pi Sigma Epsilon, is being co-sponsored by Stroh’s and White Mountain Cooler.

Dan Schneider, event chairman, brought the idea to the fraternity after having tried the event with Stevenson North Residence Hall last year. He said, “Last year was a trial period. We didn’t raise or get any money. But we did draw a good crowd.”

The bands are college bands comprised mainly of NIU students. “They’ve experienced playing and some of them have played in local bars and suburbs—but a lot of the bands are looking for some recognition now,” Schneider said.

The band “Loose Shoes” has been playing for three years, but this is their first year playing at NIU. “One of our good points is that we don’t limit ourselves to one style of music. We play a variety of music,” band member Jim Mack said.

Mack said that as far as the band is concerned, they are at their best. “What the people see will be us. I don’t think they’ll be disappointed,” he said.

The “X-Tras” formed their group last summer. Band member Tom Ovington said the group cannot really say how they will do in Wednesday’s competition.

Comprised of six members, the band tries to concentrate more on powerful vocals—vocals which he hopes will get the audience dancing, Ovington said.

“Artemis,” the band which placed second in last year’s competition, has been playing for one year.

Tom Verdonck, one of the four band members said, “We’re just doing gigs on the side. We’re mainly working towards our first record.”

Verdonck said the group has not decided on signing a recording contract. He said the group probably will sign a contract within the next year-and-one-half.

“In last year’s competition, I thought that all the bands were pretty much even. We had the same following, and this year I hope we have the same following,” Verdonck said.

The bands “Dreams” and “Big Picture” could not be reached for comment.

The contest will be held at the Chick Evans Field House. The doors will open at 7:45 p.m., and there will be a $2 admission charge.

“Battle of the Bands” calls for participation of the audience. each member of the audience will receive a ballot to vote for his or her favorite band at the end of the competition. The first and second place bands will receive cash prizes, and all proceeds from the contest will go to the Students Against Multiple Sclerosis Organization.