Gear Daddies with Martin Zellar World Class Roots Rock Alt-/Rock

Trampled by Turtles.
“One of very few bands in America that are hipster-approved but could heave a room of strangers into a hoe-down at any time…” – CITY PAGES  (Minneapolis/St. Paul)

Nathan Miller and the Unstoppable Co.
funky rock band with revolutionary slide guitar from an urban perspective. Influenced by Hendrix, Sam Cooke, Muddy waters, Bob Marley, GangStarr, D'Angelo, Ben Harper, and P-Funk. With an All-Star Line-up of Mpls. music veterans (Facebook)

The Irresistibles Sweet Soul Show featuring Mick Sterling. Twin Cities retro-soul and rhythm and blues.

12:30 – 12:45 Furious George
1:00 – 1:15 Push & Turn
1:30 – 1:45 Vandalia
2:00 – 2:15 Ted Lavender & the bass tones
2:30 – 2:45 Machine 22
3:00 – 3:30 *Winning band*

Freddy Jones Band Jam band - Alt/Rockers from Chicago

Solid Gold electro/glam/rock from Minneapolis.

Retribution Gospel Choir Rock Trio from Twin Cities

Romantica folk, Americana, pop band from Minneapolis with Irish roots

Roma di Luna - modernized folk from the Twin Cities.

Belfast Cowboys (Van Morrison tribute band)

Unknown Prophets Twin Cities hip-hop duo.

The Idle Hands Britt pop out of Minneapolis

Rogue Valley Minneapolis singer Chris Koza (2009 Sj Blockparty) formed this band and was recently named Best New Band by City Pages

Stage Schedule of Bands / Performances

Block Party festivities kick off at 5 p.m. on Friday, July 9. Four bands will rock the main stage, including the Friday night headliner the Gear Daddies with Martin Zellar. Opening for the Gear Daddies is a returning favorite, Trampled by Turtles. Friday evening gets started with Nathan Miller and the Unstoppable Co. followed by The Irresistibles Sweet Soul Show featuring Mick Sterling.

On Saturday, July 10, gates open at noon, with the traditional two-stage format from years past. Headlining on Saturday is the Chicago-based Freddy Jones Band. Filling out Saturday’s lineup will be Solid Gold, Retribution Gospel Choir, Romantica, Roma di Luna, Belfast Cowboys (a Van Morrison tribute band), Unknown Prophets, The Idle Hands, and Rogue Valley.

New this year is a Battle of the Bands contest, which will take place on the main stage from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. on Saturday. Five bands will compete for the coveted grand prize: a full day of recording at the legendary Pachyderm Recording Studio in Cannon Falls, Minn.

The following are the five bands that will compete in the St. John's Block Party Battle of the Bands contest on Saturday, July 10

(drum roll, please …)

You can check out their music on their Myspace pages.... Whether you are a solid fan of their music or are a new fan.... come and cheer on these bands!