For fifty years, Hayward Area Recreation and Park District (HARD) has hosted a contest for a selective group of musicians. With style of ranging from Indie, Rock, and Alternative to Punk, Funk, and Reggae.

Although a winner will be declared at the end of the evening, most bands are thrilled to simply be a part of it. For many of the musicians involved, this will be the first time they will be performing in front of such a large crowd. The event is great exposure for bands and a wonderful opportunity to demonstrate talents in musical arrangement, song composition, instrumentation, and vocals.

This competition, commonly referred to as "The Battle," began with the vision of former Superintendent of Recreation, Leroy Pegis. With unassuming beginnings in the late 1960's, no one could have predicted the large and popular the event of the present. Today, the show continues to be sponsored by H.A.R.D., the largest recreation district in the state of California.

Since 1944, H.A.R.D. has been providing residents with high quality programs, recreational classes, and beautiful parks. Over 250,000 residents living in Hayward, Castro Valley, San Lorenzo, Ashland, Cherryland, and Fairview are served by the Park District. Proceeds from the Battle of the Band will go toward H.A.R.D. funding so that it may continue providing youth programs for the community and improving the quality of life for citizens of all ages.

The Battle of the Bands is one of the longest running musical special events in the Bay Area, with few of its kind in the entire state. The live contest takes place at the Chabot College Performing Arts Center in Hayward where bands will have a chance to perform on a professional stage set, with hi-tech lights and sound.

The winning band will be determined through a combination of judge's points based on performance and originality, as well as audience reaction. Multiple prizes for new equipment or studio-recording time are awarded to the winners. However, highly valued by participating bands is the prestige of holding the much-coveted title of Battle of the Bands Champion. Previous title-holders include such notables as members from Faith No More, Y & T, Deep Purple, Mr. Big, Billy Satellite, and Metallica!

Battle Winners from 1964 – 2012

1964-1^st place Nightmen, 2^nd place Debonaires, 3^rd place The playboys

1965-1^st place Stanley and the four fendermen, 2^nd place the V.I.P.S,3^rd place The Invaders

1966-1^st place The X-Rays, 2^nd place The Chessmen, 3^rd place Staton Brothers

1967-1^st place Opposite direction, 2^nd place Simple forms, 3^rd place Spectres

1968-1^st place Citizens Band, 2^nd place Spectre, 3^rd place Tickitts

1969-1^st place The Vee Jays, 2^nd place Bond street express, 3^rd place Second phase

1970-1^st place New power of sound, 2^nd place The moat, 3^rd place Cyrus

1971-1^st place JRS Compromise, 2^nd place Vision of sound, 3^rd place Threshold

1972-1^st place Albatross, 2^nd place Wild Turkey, 3^rd place GM and the mark of excellence

1973-1^st place Marshall Rose, 2^nd placeDe-Dynamics, 3^rd place Timberline

1974-1^st place Yesterday and Today, 2^nd place Crutch, 3^rd place Maharlika

1975-1^st place TC LED, 2^nd place Gold dust, 3^rd place Cornerstone

1976-1^st place Cornersone street punks, 2^nd place Mile hi, 3^rd place No thanks

1977-1^st place Whisper, 2^nd place Grace, 3^rd place Spitfire

1978-1^st place Roxz, 2^nd place Spitfire, 3^rd place Rage

1979-1^stplaceThe kick, 2^nd place Stray Cat, 3^rd place PBX

1980-1^st place Lines, 2^nd place Foxx, 3^rd place The trilobites

1981-1^st place Violation, 2^nd place Farallon, 3^rd place Bungholes

1982-1^st place Heros, 2^nd place Champion, 3^rd place Bungholes

1983-1^st place Network, 2^nd place Logo’s, 3^rd place Timothy English & the Modz

1984-1^st placeHere after, 2^nd place Night wing, 3^rd place Air raid

1985-1^st place Hanzoff, 2^nd place Air raid, 3^rd place Images

1986-1^st place Tangled Webb, 2^nd place Sinderella, 3^rd place Sunset

1987-1^st placeSunset, 2^nd place Altamont, 3^rd place Desire

1988-1^st place Shea roxi, 2^nd place Asylum, 3^rd place Roulette

1989-1^st place Outlook, 2^nd place Off the record, 3^rd place Seduction

1990-1^st place Fungomungo, 2^nd place NRG, 3^rd place Possible motive / Most wanted

1991-1^st place Rhythm garden, 2^nd place Nobody famous, 3^rd place Lilliputian bizarre

1992-1^st place Royal, 2^nd place Sylvan, 3^rd place Generation land slide

1993-1^st place Anonymous radiation, 2^nd place Lipshok, 3^rd place Suspect

1994-1^st place Cloud 8, 2^nd place Treble hum, 3^rd place Passion guild

1995-1^st place Lipshok, 2^nd place Gateway, 3^rd place Bud court

1996-1^st place Bud court, 2^nd place Color black, 3^rd place Floyd’s Ordeal/Cloud 8

1997-1^st place Sol fire /Tommy & the Stompers

1998-1^st place Verso, 2^nd place Floyd’sOrdeal, 3^rd place Fringe

1999- ????????????

2000-1^st place Kao Tao    -    3^rd place Little brother

2001- ????????????

2002-1^st place Conpanna, 2^nd place Solemite, 3^rd place Brickhead

2003-1^st place Swirl, 2^nd place Solemite, 3^rd place Cusinfunk

2004-1^st place Fine by me, 2^nd place Shallow, 3^rd place Moulder lounge

2005-1^st place Westcaster, 2^nd place Angst, 3^rd place Joe pony

2006-1^st place Red horizon, 2^nd place the Fair saints, 3^rd place Billy the kid

2007-1^st place The feeders, 2^nd place Billy the kid, 3^rd place Peaceable jones

2008-1^st place French Cassette, 2^nd place Billy the kid, 3^rd place Suspicious package

2009-1^st place The Dialed, 2^nd place Broata, 3^rd place Billy The Kid

2010-1^st place Devils Angels, 2^nd place Apothecary, 3^rd place Ten days new

2011-1^st place Cast Iron Crow, 2^nd place Ten Days New, 3^rd place Animolia

2012 - 1st place Ten Days New, 2nd place Mission Peak Band, 3rd place Ashes of Empires

We have been unable to find the Winners of the 1999 and 2001 Battle Of the Bands if you have information to help us please contact Mike Maine at (510) 888-0211 or maim@haywardrec.org