Music serious business for Funnies

Band name: See You In The Funnies, of Cincinnati.

What meaning is behind the band name or how did it come about? Our singer, Jimmy Clepper, heard it in a movie or a video game and thought it sounded cool and original, and it stuck.

Band members and instruments: Jimmy Clepper, guitar and vocals; Thomas Lawrence, guitar; Jimmy Miller, bass; and Jason Hubbard, drums.

How and when did the band form? Thomas Lawrence and Jimmy Clepper are childhood friends and formed the group many years ago and started by making beats and songs on a home studio in their basements. About two years ago, Jason Hubbard and Jimmy Miller joined the band, and the lineup was complete.

How would you describe the band's music? Alternative rock with a hip-hop influence, "grunge hop."

What musicians/bands have influenced you? Nirvana, Atmosphere, Kings of Leon, Brother Ali, Foo Fighters, etc.

What do you hope to achieve from playing in the Battle of the Bands? What we want mostly is the chance to be able to play in front of new people and turn them on to our brand of music — $5,000 would be nice, too.

What is it about playing music you enjoy most? The thing we love the most about playing music is the adventure. You never know where you are going to end up or who you are going to meet. That feeling that you get when you write a song or the rush you get when you are on stage performing, the unpredictability of performing. At any moment, something could go very wrong and push you to your limits and make you have to rise above it. On the other hand, something magical can happen and end up being the best experience of your life, and no matter how many gigs you've done or how long you have played, those moments can happen at any time.

If you go

See You In The Funnies is one of 12 bands competing for $5,000 in cash and prizes at the 11th annual Great Midwest Battle of the Bands at 7 p.m. April 19 at Ohio University-Chillicothe's Shoemaker Center, 101 University Drive.

The bands also will perform April 18 at the third Rock Around the Block event in downtown Chillicothe. The Crosskeys Tavern, the Dock At Water, Bub's Timeout Sports Bar and the Majestic Theatre will each play host to three of the bands, with music starting at 8 p.m.

Tickets to both events are $10 and are available at Coffee Central, BBB Music and at the doors of all venues.