Third annual Burgstock to feature Ellensburg bands this Saturday, May 16

The Battle of Burgstock III

Fifty bands submitted to compete, seven were selected as finalists and, now they will face off in an epic showdown.

The seven finalists will be at Cornerstone Pie on Saturday, May 16 for the Third Annual Burgstock Battle of the bands, hosted by 88.1 The ‘Burg.

The winners will receive four free hours of recording time at Fastback Studios and a spot on the line-up at Fisherman’s Village Music Festival in Everett, Wash.

“This is an opportunity for CWU students to come check out the best unsigned bands in Washington state and really have their voices be heard,” Tim Mitchell, music programming coordinator for The ‘Burg, said. “I mean, every band that has achieved mainstream success had to start somewhere, and they had to start with their friends and family who supported them back home.”

Every audience member will automatically be entered to win two tickets to Sasquatch, camping included. There will be no cover charge, merchandise will be sold from local bands, delicious pizza from Cornerstone Pie and alcoholic beverages will be available for attendees who are 21+.

Treesplitter

Treesplitter, a group of four guys, is coming all the way from Bellingham to perform. Their band consists of Mikah Washburn, Chris Hanline, Ben Howard and Ryan Mallory. Treesplitter describes their sound as “alternative rock-ish” with a dash of electronica elements.

The band began at Central, where they started by playing covers. Coming from various musical backgrounds such as jazz, classical and school band, the group found that they meshed well together and started doing band rehearsals via Skype.

In December of 2014 the band released an EP called “Future Ghost EP.”

The group is excited to share their music with show-goers, and said their music is “organic as possible.”

“It really does feel like we’re painting a picture,” Hanline said. “It is like people looking into an art gallery.”

Thunderhound

Thunderhound, who has been around since 2011 (previously known as The Ancients), is a band from Ellensburg. Thunderhound has a bluesy-rock sound with a hint of stoner and psychedelic rock. Thunderhound consists of vocalist Liam , lead guitar Joel, bassist Tony and Nat on drums.

“We are all stoked about this, simply because we never get to play for our friends and family. We’re always traveling to cities we’ve never seen before or travelling there every six months,” Davis said.

Though they currently only have a single out, Thunderhound are going to be hard at work this winter recording a full album.

Thunderhound is active on the show circuit, performing at July Festival, All Age Rage and all over western Washington.

Pull For Fire

Pull for Fire is a group of young musicians located out of La Center and Ellensburg. Two and a half years ago, they decided to go from a jazz combo to a full-fledged “bluesternative” group. Pull For Fire’s band of comical gentlemen are known as Jacob “Latin Spice” Mendez, Blake “Moon Child” Johnston, Walter “Sunflower” Hansen, and Bret “Bert” Johnston.

Though the band consists of teenagers, they already have one album out called “Stare at the Sun.” They focus on getting the audience really into the music.

“We play music for the same reason others play music; to express yourself and have fun,” Mendez said.

They will be returning soon to the studio to record a second album in June, according to Mendez, and the group has more appeal for a mature audience due to their older blues sound.

Burgstock will take place at Cornerstone Pie, this Saturday, May 16 at 3 p.m.