The Dukedoms, who won the battle of the bands, The Clash
By Peter Townson/Staff Reporter

The annual battle of the bands, known as the Clash was held at the Ramada Plaza hotel, with the Dukedoms emerging victorious in the final heat and being declared the best band in Doha.
The sixth year of the competition saw ten bands competing for the prize, with an initial elimination round taking place before the semi finals and then the final.
The Dukedoms were formed especially to take part in the event, and feature three members of The Exiles, as well as two other members.
Lead singer, Peter Gibson is the band’s front man, and was joined on stage by fellow Exiles Jan Vlasatik on lead guitar and Darwin Fernandez on drums, as well as Kerwin Kurt on keyboards and Ronell Cruz on lead guitar.
Gulf Times spoke to Gibson about the competition following his group’s victory.
“I personally love performing in a band and have always done so in Scotland, Saudi and Qatar,” he said, adding “the Clash gives bands a chance to showcase what they can do in front of an appreciative audience.”
“Because it’s a competition, you work harder as a band to go that extra step to impress,” he noted.
The band played a variety of music from across the decades, including hits by Van Halen, Billy Idol, The Kinks and the Foo Fighters among others.
“‘Jump’ was our big opening number and I don’t think we could have picked better,” said Gibson, adding “one of the judges said it was the best opening number he had heard in the six years the competition has run.”
Gibson said he was delighted to win the competition: “The feeling was amazing, knowing that we had got to the final and won puts all the work that goes into this in perspective - it’s not like a gig where you have to entertain the crowd, you also have to impress the judges.”
Gibson also spoke about the live music scene in Doha, claiming that bands here would benefit from more opportunities to play.
“There are a few really good regular gigging bands here in Doha and we are all busy playing and promoting live music whenever we can,” he said, adding “we are supportive of each other and live music.”
“The problem is venues - Doha needs more live music venues,” he argued, noting that events such as open mic nights allow like-minded people to meet and develop the music scene in Qatar.
“The Clash hooks local bands and live music lovers up in a great venue - the competition is fun but really it is all about promoting live music and showcasing talent that might not get that chance to play in front of such an appreciative audience in such a great venue,” he added.