DeadFruit

2024 Homegrown Throwdown was a success. Thank you to Q106 WJXQ and Grewal Hall at 224 for putting on the tournament and giving the local scene a much needed revival. Especially digging the awesome new venue!

To all the bands that made it to the first round we were honored to share the stage with you and make some new connections along the way. To the finalists, Paper Lanterns Let it Rot Turn the Tide Second Salem Son of Scylla , you came to battle, came out victorious and for that we salute you. And finally to Abs0lute for taking home the crown and laying claim to the title. Way to represent our hometown of Jackson. Take it to Upheaval and lay the smackdown. And screw all the haters.

A big thank you to all the fans that came out to support each of your favorites. We hope you found some new bands and tunes to like as well. It is because of all of your support that all of these bands can continuing doing what they love.

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With all that said, we are saddened by the outlash toward Absolute and any other band who did well in the tournament. All of these bands worked their butts off to even make it in the first round, let alone into the finals. All the fans out there talking trash, calling out, or generally just being as****es, please see yourself out. You think you're helping your favorites by standing up for them and "defending" them, but really you will probably hurt them more than help. Who would want to book a band who brings a bunch of jerks to the show? Makes other bands question working with them. Us bands are struggling to do this at all, and sure as hell are not successful. Each show is an opportunity to make new fans, and make new memories for them. But we certainly don't want fans who cannot be civil or have integrity.

The battle of the bands is a contest with the criteria being judging, votes and ticket sales. And the truth of it in this industry is the only metric that matters is the almighty dollar. Looking back on that list of criteria, there is only one that matches nicely. If quality really mattered, like we all wish it did, can anyone really believe that the most popular music is really the highest quality? We certainly felt the sting of that reality on the night we played, but we humbly stepped off the stage, congratulated the winners and came to support them in the finals too.

It is okay to be upset that your band didn't win, but it isn't acceptable to drag the other bands down that did win. Everyone had the same opportunity, and some played the "game" better than others. What we need is support for the music scene, even when it isn't your genre or band. You wanna really help? Go like, follow or share a band that is struggling in the scene. Go to a show with bands you've never heard of. Buy some merch from a random band at a random show, it would help them more than you would think.

Lastly, to the bands in the tournament; we all stand on the shoulders of giants. None of us are above failing or too low to succeed. Anyone of us could be the next big thing, and anyone of us could their opening act. One day we all hope to play to an arena, but don't forget the nights of playing to the other bands and an empty room. We still need to be each other's cheerleaders. Be humble, be supportive, and do your best to keep the haters in check.

Peace and rock,

Nathaniel & FOTG

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Q106 Homegrown Throwdown Final Round

Wishing a very merry birthday to one of our favorite fruitflys, Jake Jessup enjoy your day buddy!

The Music Factory Voraath Gutter Swamp Rockso the Pit Clown William Helton Nicholas Steele great times for sure. Can't wait to do it all again soon.

Get out there and support the scene Fruitflys!

The Music Box music starts now fruitflys

Drink Specials

Good morning fruitflys! Have a glorious day!

Imaginary Game, by FLOWERS ON THE GRAVE track by FLOWERS ON THE GRAVE

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