At the Chicago Rock Cafe in Southampton, on June 3, 1999, the band triumphed over local favourites Shimmer, marking a moment of heady promise and seemingly boundless opportunity.
Now, more than 25 years later, the echoes of that night tell a story of fleeting fame, unforeseen tragedy, and the power of local music.
The 1999 “Battle at the Rock,” a collaboration between Subway, Zest TV Productions, and 1st Degree Records, was a significant event for the Southampton music community.
More than 70 bands vied for the top spot, with eight making it to the final knockout stages: Uncle Brian, Shimmer, Deen, Henderson Bluejay, Raindog, The Nurses, Relish, and Native Tongue.
For the victors, Uncle Brian, the win was a whirlwind.
“I didn’t think that we would get as far as we did, but we have and I’m thrilled,” a surprised Dan Foot, the band’s guitarist and lead singer, said at the time.
The prize was a coveted recording session at 1st Degree Records’ state-of-the-art Southampton studio and a track on their forthcoming compilation album. There were high hopes of following in the footsteps of fellow Southampton band Mainline, who had recently signed a major label deal with Fire Records.
In the years that followed, Uncle Brian experienced a level of success.
They toured extensively across the UK and Europe, sharing stages with prominent acts of the era like Wheatus and Bowling For Soup.
An interview with Dan Foot in 2002 revealed the band had undergone lineup changes and were evolving their sound from ska-punk to a more pop-punk style.
They also released an album with Moon Ska Europe.
However, the anticipated breakthrough into the mainstream, as hoped for by 1st Degree Records’ operations manager Dan Husbands, remained elusive.
Tragically, the story of Uncle Brian is now imbued with a deep sense of loss.
In 2015, Dan Foot, who later went by Dan Evelyn-Foot, passed away at the age of 34.
His obituary celebrated a life filled with music, from the early days of winning the Battle of the Bands to becoming an inspirational guitar teacher and a beloved hairdresser.
His passion for music, which burned so brightly in 1999, had a lasting impact on those around him, a legacy that extends far beyond record deals and chart success.
The runners-up, Shimmer proved that the Southampton music scene of the time had something to offer. Just weeks after the “Battle at the Rock” final, they were on the bill as a support act for a then-emerging band, Muse, at a local gig.
The “Battle at the Rock” was also a significant undertaking for the student-run Zest TV Productions, who recorded the entire competition.
With “£80,000 worth of equipment,” their manager, James Rostance, spoke of the immense effort involved and the invaluable experience gained by the student crew.
The plan was to broadcast the competition on The Local Channel/60, a precursor to more formal local television services.
Today, Zest TV has evolved into the successful broadcast and video production company Zest4.tv, and James Rostance has built a notable career in video production and marketing
For a few months in 1999, the Chicago Rock Cafe in Southampton was the epicentre of dreams for more than 70 bands. For one night in June, it was the pinnacle for Uncle Brian, a moment of triumph that, for their charismatic frontman, became a cherished highlight in a life dedicated to music, a life sadly cut short.
