With four spots remaining and a wide range of rock persuasion — the deadline to register for Battle of the Bands has been extended to Feb 24 at 5 p.m.

The contest will take place over the course of four dates: March 3, 10, 18 and 24.

Four bands will compete each day, and the final round will be April 14 from 7:30 to 11 p.m.

“With each date of Battle of the bands, the crowd will vote with a ballot for that week’s winner,” said Rathskeller programmer Alex Tucker. “Then for the finals we will have three or four special judges come in.”

Tucker said that he thinks it’s always a good experience for bands because a lot of the winners end up being pretty big in the Kent area. A couple bands are coming back this year to battle again.

“Last year’s Battle of the Bands was pretty interesting,” he said. “We had a pretty positive response. I want to say at least 100 people came each date and 200 at the finals.”

Tucker said that metal, indie-rock, punk, pop-rock, ska and funk bands have all participated in the past and are encouraged to take part this year.

“The grand prize winner gets an opening spot on Flashfest, recording time at a professional studio and a headlining show in the Ratt for fall,” he said. “The runner up also gets a headlining show in the Ratt for fall.”

To register, bands can stop by the Center for Student Involvement and ask for a Battle of the Bands registration form. There is a $25 entry fee, and at least one person in the band must be a Kent student.

Contact on-campus entertainment reporter Michelle Bair at [email protected].