Last time round our panel selected Little Baby Cheeses as the victors - who will they go for this time?

FOLLOWING in the footsteps of the Little Baby Cheeses glory, during this month's demo showdown we cracked open a tube of Jaffa Cakes, put on the kettle at the Higher Rhythm HQ and prepared to listen to an arrangement of interesting instrumental delights.

For those of you not familiar with the Demo Showdown, it is a bi-monthly competition where bands and artists from the Doncaster area are encouraged to put forward their music to a panel of judges at Higher Rhythm studios. The groups will be judged on their music, presentation and entrepreneurial skills.

Last month ska act Little Baby Cheeses took the crown with their clear recording techniques and perfect presentation but now there's a new set of demos awaiting our judgement for a feature in the paper - and one final winner will be chosen at the end of the competition.

THE TORN
The first of the demos is nothing new. Not because The Torn are slightly middle of the road and hasten to sound like Red Hot Chili Peppers but because the group sent in their demo in the first month of the competition and were quickly disregarded after not paying the postage for their parcel. Now however the group are back and this time they've sent not only a prepaid demo but far too many attachments to go with it.

To start with we have a letter of apology including the £1.06 Higher Rhythm had to cough up to receive the last demo and then a folder containing everything you need to know about the band and more. We're treated to press cuttings, cover versions, setlists, band members and a string of pointless photographs, but it shows more enthusiasm than any other act so far. The demo is also better produced and is stronger than their debut.

SIMON LOUNT
Simon Lount is also not a new name to the Demo Showdown. This solo artist also entered in last month's competition but this time he has also made significant improvements with his demo. This time it comes with a full biography and three tracks of different styles, providing a little variety to the work. The biography doesn't immediately stand out, particularly the line "I realise my voice and instrument playing won't set the music world alight." We quickly suggest Simon needs some confidence and move on.

ROXANNE NOROUZI
Roxanne's CD comes purely with her name on the CD itself and a photo of her on the front cover. When played it's a sweet acoustic ballad which shows true potential. However it's been badly produced and the cuts in the vocals are obvious. Also, although the track is pleasant, there is only one on the CD which fails to show the artist's true talent.

STRANGERS
This group from Goole, contain three tracks on their demo yet we found the vocals to be challenging throughout. There's no biography to explain the group and the artwork falls short, aside from a logo on the CD.

ANDERSON COUNCIL
The Anderson Council CD comes with some cheaply made artwork and a personal message from the band. There's too many tracks clocking in at a total of six but the CD really shows potential. Taking a stripped down almost minimalist approach the duo provide something different to the competition. They clearly show talent and despite the track's rough production it suits the recording, with only small changes needed.

AND THE WINNER IS...
This month we couldn't fault The Torn's endless enthusiasm towards the competition. With their press pack full of the group's history and information you can't ignore the effort this band have gone to. But the Anderson Council's obscure angle has brought a variety of music to this competition we never thought we'd see. Therefore we officially announce the joint winners of this months Demo Showdown - The Torn and the Anderson Council!
See next week's Free Press to find out more information on our winners.