Bullettooth lead singer recovers for show.

Despite his band being an obvious crowd favorite at the Monterey Battle of the Bands Finals, Eric Gilmore, lead singer of Bullettooth, had a rough evening on the night of the competition finals against other local rock groups like Retribution, FSU, Liquid 8, and Righteous Anger. After their performance, Gilmore got in an accident that totaled his truck and resulted in 15 stitches in his forehead.

Obviously, the next morning, Gilmore had other things on his mind when he discovered that his band won the competition. “I just got back from the hospital and checked the answering machine,” he says.

Now, the local group has $1,500 cash and $800 of recording time at the Quilted Fish Recording Studio in Santa Cruz County from the competition. Gilmore says Bullettooth plans to start recording in early November. Not bad for a band that has had their current lineup for only four months.

Gilmore says that winning the contest was the six-member band’s first goal. “It’s nice to have, but it’s not enough,” adds guitarist Mike Pajuelo.

Bullettooth plays with FSU and Plaster Thursday 10pm, the Lava Lounge, Club Octane, 321 Alvarado St., in Monterey, for FSU’s one-year anniversary show. No cover. 646-9244.