I am writing in response to Jason Cherkis' April 6 article "Battle proves Penn State needs tuneup" regarding the Asylum's Battle of the Bands held last Thursday night at the HUB.

Cherkis felt that only two bands were worth mentioning. One of these, his favorite, was Blowout Kit, whom he labeled as "the rumbling El Camino of the night and certainly the best band." I agree with the first description. I feel that no one would object to my saying that the El Camino was the biggest eyesore the auto industry has ever seen. The band was just as bad. The guitar sounded like it was caught under the wheels of the Seattle bandwagon, while the lead "singer" mumbled something that reminded me of the sounds I made on my bar tour while my head was in the toilet.

The only high point of the night was the band Steel City. I think they were by far the best band, and the smooth driving Corvette of the night (to keep the metaphor). Cherkis said they were "Asia-esque," "lacked. . .originality or sincerity." I do not know if Cherkis was aware, but there was a talent scout discreetly wandering around Thursday night. His job is to find three groups a year to compete in a state version of "Star Search" held annually in Altoona. He selected Steel City as one of those groups. Last year, two out of the three groups went on to sign record deals, and he feels that Steel City has what it takes to follow in their footsteps. This talent scout must be crazy to put his reputation on the line for a group lacking in originality and sincerity. Am I correct, Mr. Cherkis?

Cherkis' concert review concluded that "over-the-top playing and amateur lyrics were a theme" in Thursday night's Battle of the Bands. He felt that Dogtown Road was the most "tasteful" of the groups, "like a classy Buick Park Avenue." I hardly think that the lyrics in their song about "beating off" were tasteful or professional. I guess the talent scout felt the same way.