Lectricide goes to 11 to win 2026 Battle of the Bands
Guitarist and singer Dean Montoya, left, and bassist Troy Chiwewe with Lectricide show off their heavy metal skills during the Battle of the Bands Saturday, July 11, 2026, at Graham County Fairgrounds. Lectricide was selected as this year's top band, earning them $3,000.
- David Bell Photo/Gila Valley Central
“I wanted the ground to shake, as soon as the drums and guitars came in. I wanted it to be as fat as possible,” said Lectricide rythmn guitarist and singer Dean Montoya.
Montoya got his wish, vibrating the Ag Building at Graham County Fairgrounds and earning the metal band first place and $3,000 in the 21st annual Battle of the Bands on Saturday.
“It’s unbelievable,” Montoya said about the win. “It’s insane to wrap your head around when you actually do it.”
Lectricide’s high-energy performance of metal shook the building and wow’d the judges, earning the band first place and $3,000 in the Battle of the Bands event inside the Ag Building at Graham County Fairgrounds on Saturday, July 11, 2026. Pictured are, front row, band members Troy Chiwewe, Dean Montoya, Jayden Anzara and Luke Gibson; back, judges Pete McCormick, Tanner Johnson and Adam Crohn. – David Bell Photo/Gila Valley Central
The band formed in high school in Albuquerque, N.M., in 2022 and now travels the Southwest performing. Their next stop is the finals of the Battle of the Bands at the Route 66 Casino and Hotel in New Mexico on July 18.
In addition to be named best band, Lectricide’s Jayden Anzara was named the event’s best drummer. He received a plaque and a $100 gift card to Richard’s Music.
The Zaylie Windsor Band took second place at the Battle of the Bands, earning the group a $500 gift card to Richard’s Music. Windsor was also named the event’s best vocalist, winging an additional $100 Richard’s Music gift card. Pictured are, from left, keyboardist Austin Brooks, Windsor on guitar and vocals, and lead guitarist Michael Gilbert. – David Bell Photo/Gila Valley Central
The second-place band was the Zaylie Windsor Band, with Windsor also being named the event’s best vocalist for the third time. She previously won best vocalist in 2024 and 2021. The band received a $500 gift card to Richard’s Music and Windsor received a $100 Richard’s Music gift card for her individual honor.
Garrett James and the Wanderers won third place and $250 gift card to Richard’s Music at the 2026 Battle of the Bands. Showing off their skills are, from left, keyboardist Jalen Pendergrass, Garrett James playing guitar behind his head, and bassist Hunter Asplin. – David Bell Photo/Gila Valley Central
Third place and a $250 gift card to Richard’s Music went to Garrett James and the Wanderers, a four-piece group out of Tucson that recently graduated high school and just came off a tour that included Memphis, Tenn., and Denver. They also won Alice Cooper’s “Proof is in the Pudding” teen music competition in 2025.
Saxophonist Matt Allen, left, with Happy and the Ghosts, was named best player of a specialty instrument at the Battle of the Bands, earning him a $100 gift card to Richard’s Music. Also pictured is bassist Brayden Taylor. – David Bell Photo/Gila Valley Central
Best Specialty Instrument and a $100 Richard’s Music gift card went to Matt Allen, who played both saxophone and trumpet with Happy and the Ghosts.
Marie Nicholson, right, was named this year’s Battle of the Bands best bassist for her playing with the band Up To Something. She won a new Nashville Guitar Works bass from Richard’s Music. Also Pictured ar Up To Something’s keyboardist Patty Raines and guitarist Ken Raines. – David Bell Photo/Gila Valley Central
Marie Nicholson, with Up To Something, was named Best Bassist. She received a new Nashville Guitar Works bass from Richard’s Music. And the Jim Akers Best Guitarist was Keenan Suke, who previously won the award in 2024. He received a new Nashville Guitar Works guitar from Richard’s Music.
Keen Suke, with the Keenan Suke Band, was named the Battle of the Bands best guitarist, and won a new Nashville Guitar Works guitar from Richard’s Music. – David Bell Photo/Gila Valley Central
Battle of the Bands is sponsored by Freeport-McMoRan; Sparklight; Richard’s Music; Macks Napa Auto Supply; Kempton Chevrolet; Sparks Homestore; Bud Light; Pepsi; Trophies N’ Tees; United Rentals; Vista Recycling; Advanced Air Systems; Valley Vision digital billboards; and the Double R Communications family of radio stations, Kat Kountry 94.5 FM, Sunny 102.3 FM and KATO 1230 AM.
Battle of the Bands Photo Gallery
Zaylie Windsor Band earned second place in the 21st annual Battle of the Bands. Pictured are, from left, judges Adam Crohn and Tanner Johnson; band members Zaylie Windsor, Gene Garcia and Austin Brooks; and judge Pete McCormick. – David Bell Photo/Gila Valley CentralGarrett James and the Wanderers earned third place in the 2026 Battle of the Bands. PIctured are, top row from left, judges Adam Crohn, Tanner Johnson and Pete McCormick; bottom, band members Hunter Asplin, Matthew Schvarcz, Jalen Pendergrass and Garrett James. – David Bell Photo/Gila Valley CentralZaylie Windsor won the award for Best Vocalist. Pictured are, from left, Reed Richins, owner of Double R Communications and Battle of the Bands Promoter; Windsor; and judges Adam Crohn, Tanner Johnson and Pete McCormick. – David Bell Photo/Gila Valley CentralMarie Nicholson won the award for Best Bassist. Pictured are, from left, Reed Richins, owner of Double R Communications and Battle of the Bands Promoter; Nicholson with her new Nashville Guitar Works bass; and judges Adam Crohn, Tanner Johnson and Pete McCormick. – David Bell Photo/Gila Valley CentralKeenan Suke won the Jim Akers Best Guitarist Award. Pictured are, from left, Reed Richins, owner of Double R Communications and Battle of the Bands Promoter; Suke with his new Nashville Guitar Works guitar; and judges Adam Crohn, Tanner Johnson and Pete McCormick. – David Bell Photo/Gila Valley CentralJaden Anzara with Lectricide won the award for Best Drummer. Pictured are, from left, Reed Richins, owner of Double R Communications and Battle of the Bands Promoter; Anzara; and judges Adam Crohn, Tanner Johnson and Pete McCormick. – David Bell Photo/Gila Valley CentralMatt Allen won the award for Best Speciality Instrument. Pictured are, from left, Reed Richins, owner of Double R Communications and Battle of the Bands Promoter; Allen; and judges Adam Crohn, Tanner Johnson and Pete McCormick. – David Bell Photo/Gila Valley CentralHappy and the Ghosts – David Bell Photo/Gila Valley CentralUp To Something – David Bell Photo/Gila Valley CentralFarquaad – David Bell Photo/Gila Valley CentralChasing Mini Vans – David Bell Photo/Gila Valley Central4 Piece Scotts – David Bell Photo/Gila Valley CentralGarrett James and the Wanderers – David Bell Photo/Gila Valley CentralZaylie Windsor Band – David Bell Photo/Gila Valley CentralLectricide – David Bell Photo/Gila Valley CentralTrip 900 – David Bell Photo/Gila Valley CentralPower Fixx – David Bell Photo/Gila Valley CentralKeenan Suke Band – David Bell Photo/Gila Valley Central
