From left, Felipe Benites, Meric Slack and Evan Dao of Gas Station Chicken celebrate after winning the 2026 MusicNomad Battle of the Bands on May 16 in Sonoma. The Marysville Charter Academy for the Arts students earned first place and a $1,000 prize after competing against eight other Northern California bands. Photo courtesy of Marysville Charter Academy for the Arts

MARYSVILLE, CA (MPG) - A student band with roots at Marysville Charter Academy for the Arts is continuing to gain recognition across Northern California after capturing first place in the 2026 MusicNomad Battle of the Bands competition in Sonoma.

Gas Station Chicken earned the top prize May 16 at Grinstead Amphitheater in Sonoma Plaza, outperforming eight other bands from throughout Northern California and taking home a $1,000 award.

The trio formed in 2024 through Marysville Charter Academy for the Arts’ after-school rock band program under the direction of advanced guitar instructor Yuko McWhorter. The group consists of Meric Slack, Evan Dao and Felipe Benites.

Since forming, Gas Station Chicken has become a familiar name in the local music scene. The band has performed more than 25 shows, including appearances at the Yuba-Sutter Fair, the Marysville Taco Festival and venues throughout Northern California. The group also won Marysville Charter Academy for the Arts’ annual Battle of the Bands competition.

The Sonoma victory marks the band’s largest competition win to date. MusicNomad Battle of the Bands featured nine youth bands representing communities throughout Northern California. The achievement comes during a busy stretch for the young musicians. The band recently performed its first show in San Francisco at Hotel Utah and is scheduled to compete June 13 in the Aftermath Showdown Battle of the Bands grand finale at Skip’s Open Mic Music Cafe in downtown Yuba City.

As the group continues to perform beyond the Yuba-Sutter area, Gas Station Chicken is carrying local talent onto larger stages while building a growing reputation within Northern California’s youth music scene.