Although the band Five40 has only been together six months, their friendship began years ago, in school. Four of the five members graduated from Gordon Central together. It wasn’t until after that, however, that they combined their love of music and their friendship and discovered talent that includes reggae, rap, rock, and ska.

Lead singer Matt Johnson said the band’s diversity flows naturally.

“We might start a song out more reggae, then transition into rock and bring it back to reggae,” he said.

Bandmate Cody Brown, who performs as Chuck Taylor, is the group’s rapper, but Johnson points out that “rapper” doesn’t encompass everything Brown does.

“Above all, he’s a lyricist. He’s been writing songs since high school.”

Steward Davis is the band’s bass player. Originally, he played guitar, but Johnson said he picked up the bass because that’s what the band needed. “He learned it pretty fast.”

Added to the mix was Johnson’s friend, Gregory Young, on drums.

They plan to release a full length CD in about three months, said Johnson.

In the meantime, their song “Ride of Your Life” is a contender in the Roman Roast Battle of the Bands this year.

The contest is a partnership with 95.7 The Ridge, the Rome-Floyd Parks and Recreation Authority and the Rome News-Tribune.

Matt Davis, vice president of Davis Communications Inc. and a radio personality on the network, said contests like these are important to help local musicians and music lovers connect.

“For me, what the Battle of the Bands means is that you have a music scene in Rome that can be appreciated,” he said. “When I was in high school, we had one or two places you could go see local music. And you have many places you can go on a nightly basis to see great local music.”

Voting for bands is simple: Go to RN-T.com and click on the Battle of the Bands graphic on the right side of the website, then log in to Upickem! or Facebook to cast your vote for your favorite band.

Bands in this year’s contest include Blues Factory, Bent in Bama, Cornbread Killers, The Booze Mountaineers, Hardest Goodbye, SelfServe, Five40, The Hip Knotics, Young Guns, PerFekt Peace, My. Synyster, Nathan Sexton, The Rick Byers Band, Heartcakeparty, Kid Dynamite! and Jackson Lawrence and Dirt Road.

The top four bands voted on by users will perform at the 2011 Roman Roast on the River for the grand prize on the night of May 14.

But for those who aren’t voted as the top artists in town, there are other benefits.

“The Battle of the Bands also means (bands) have another place they can showcase their talents, whether it be on the radio or in the newspaper,” Davis said. “It allows them to get the recognition they deserve for the hard effort they put into their art.”

“There are a lot of people who haven’t grasped the concept there is great music in the area from local bands. This allows people who don’t necessarily go out and enjoy the nightlife to be exposed to these artists,” Davis added.

Voters can vote once a day on the contest website and have until 11 p.m. on May 9 to cast their ballot for their favorite band.

Rome News-Tribune contributed to this story.