If a battle of the bands conjures up painful images of your high school's talent show, it's time for an update. When the stakes are raised, so are the standards and the annual showcase hosted by the Up and Under Pub knows how to pull some serious acts: the grand prize winner earns a prime spot at this year's Summerfest.

The Up and Under Pub, 1216 E. Brady St., is known as an open mic hot spot, and while not everyone who takes the stage is destined to be the next "American Idol," the staff gets a first-hand glimpse of the city's ever-evolving talent pool.

Promotions director and veteran Up and Under bartender Roy Henning, who has organized the battle for the last three years, says this has helped him and bar owner Tim Brodersen pick the best bands for this year's event, which kicks off Friday, March 6 and runs every Friday in March and April with the finals on May 15.

But really, picking the best band isn't their job at all -- it's yours. There are no judges, save for the fans in the audience each night. Last year's event saw about 2,000 people participating.

"This competition is a dirty, knock down, fists flying bar brawl (not literally of course)," says Henning. "Each band has complete autonomy in how they want to win over the audience."

Some, he says, rely strictly on the music, like the first year's winner, The Delta Routine. The three-piece band had no fanfare, no costumes, no stage act and instead relied on the strength of its rock and roll blues.

This is in steep contrast to last year's winner, Fat J and the Pinners, he says.

"Each week they had a different stage theme, dressed in different costumes, had a (fake) gorilla running around the bar all night and put on more of a show than most bands."

This year's line-up is very diverse, highlighting everything from an all-girl punk band to hardcore metal, rock, funk, jam, reggae, blues and acoustic folk bands.

"Basically there is something for everyone, unless all you listen to is techno house music," says Henning. "Brody also did a really good job of diversifying each night so all three bands are a little bit different. This should play well into having a very mixed group of people watching their favorite bands at the same time."

The official 2009 lineup:

March 6: Kinetic Trio vs. Sector 3 vs. Jake Jendusa
March 13: Once the Sun vs. Wall of Funk vs. The Dots
March 20: The Soup vs. Pete Saia vs. Least for Last
March 27: Matt Haeffel vs. Herbs Vacation vs. Mr. Cab Driver
April 3: Last Rhino vs. Micah Olsan vs. Roadless Travelers
April 10: Blackdog vs. Avengers Assemble vs. Toad King
April 17: Semifinal No. 1: Winners of March 6, 13 and 20
April 24: Semifinal No. 2: Winners of March 27, April 3, 10
May 15: Finals: Winner of sem 1 vs. winner of semi 2