'Battle of the Bands' Looks to be Hopatcong's Biggest Musical Night of the Year

You've seen concerts at the Modick Park gazebo. You've seen acts throughout the borough.

But Friday night's "Battle of the Bands" promises to be Hopatcong's biggest concert event of the year as area bands hit the Hopatcong High School auditorium stage. The plan: to rock out, and to promote drug awareness.

"It's going to be an amazing experience to see other kids who are successful with their talents," said Lisa Schuffenhauer, a Hopatcong elementary school counselor. 

Organized by the Hopatcong Municipal Alliance and sponsored by Hopatcong's own Barber Shop Studios and the Governor's Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse, the event is from 7-10 p.m. and offers free admission and cheap refreshments, which will be sold by the senior class' Project Graduation members.

And while promoting a drug-free lifestyle will be the night's main theme, the bands won't want to disappoint. They're performing for a $1,500 grand prize, which will be awarded at the end of the show by three celebrity judges: Earl Cohen, Mark Salamone and James "JamBoy" Boyer—each with considerable music experience.

Cohen has worked alongside many of today's top artists, such as Will Smith, Lady Gaga and Pink. Salamone is the president of Dream Makers Music and the Barber Shop Studios. Boyer has worked as an audio specialist for many artists, including a Grammy-winning guitarist. 

Hopatcong's Goodbye Friday is one of the headlining acts. The group—consisting of drummer Anthony Arci, singer Rocco Costanza, guitarist Aaron Henriquez and bassist Mark Braun—has played high-profile events like Bamboozle and alongside Ke$ha, Weezer and Paramore.

Area bands Barcode Youth, Blue Soul, Two2one and Something About January will also perform 10-15 minute sets. Bands will not be allowed to curse, and their songs cannot contain suggestive lyrics. All song lyrics have been cleared by the HMA.

This is the first year of the "Battle of the Bands." Last year, HMA held a "Who Wants to be a Millionaire" night at the auditorium for high school and middle school children. The year prior, it had a music show at the Modick Park gazebo.

"As a parent, I would tell my kids to go," Schuffenhauer said. "It's a fun, healthy alternative to an unhealthy activity."