It started with 12 bands, took nearly five months to narrow down the field to the final two, and next week, one band will be crowned the winner of WCTV's Battle of the Bands competition.

"It turned out really well," said Onset resident Bruce Gannon, who produced the weekly show. "I really didn't know what I was getting myself into."

The competition is between Dukes of Gravity, a classic rock band with members from Marion and Acushnet, and Wareham alternative rock band Special Features.

"The competition was very diverse," said Dave Cardoza, bass player for Dukes of Gravity. "Everyone has been great."

Dukes of Gravity boasts the competition's youngest member: 11-year-old guitar player and lead vocalist Aaron Norcross. Friends Cardoza, Norcross, and drummer John Taber decided to play together after realizing a mutual interest in The Who. The band covers many songs by the British rockers.

Dukes of Gravity felt confident about their final performance on Thursday, April 29.

"This [performance] was the most polished," Cardoza said.

Norcross said his favorite part of the evening was "'Feel Like Making Love,' the ending," which is difficult to play.

"It always throws a lot of people off, seeing an 11-year-old sing 'Feel Like Making Love,' but it's just a song," Cardoza said with a laugh.

Members of contender Special Features did not feel that their last performance was as solid as previous ones, but said they enjoyed the competition.

"The competition was great," said guitar player and vocalist Harvest Ciccotelli.

Drummer Chris Clayton concurred. "We always have a good time," he said. "Even just now, we still had a good time."

The Battle of the Bands was a lot of work to organize and produce each week, but was successful, Gannon said. He encouraged community members to get involved with WCTV. "Don't be afraid to try to do something," he said. "If you want to do something, do it."

WCTV Technical Director Steve Ruiz said the competition has been exciting. "He's the gutsiest guy I know," Ruiz said of Gannon. "To jump into this like he did is a true credit to him."

Voting is open until Wednesday at www.pheonixphotography.net/FTMvote. The winner will be announced on WCTV on Thursday. First prize is a music video produced by WCTV. The second place band will headline the Onset Summer of Love music series on its opening night, June 16, at 6:30 p.m at the Onset Band Shell.