JACKSON — Aug. 23 looms large in the minds of the members of the Jacksonarea band Catalyst. After impressing audience members and judges in the semifinals of the Jersey Shows Battle of the Bands on July 20, Catalyst moved on to the finals with eight other bands.

Bassist and lead vocalist Zane Decker was happy with the strong crowd reaction at the band's semifinal performance.

"We went on about sixth. That was a good time slot; there were lots of people there," he said.

Decker, drummer Dave Rucki, and rhythm guitarist Matt Calabrese are all students at Jackson Liberty High School.

Lead guitarist Steve Puccio and keyboard player/guitarist Matt Reynolds will be returning to Jackson Memorial High School in two weeks.

The band revealed a new song at the July 20 show, "2114."

Decker described "2114" as a "progressive metal track with a keyboard emphasis, heavier than our other tracks."

Progressive rock band Rush released an album and song titled "2112" in 1976. More recently, in 2003, the band Coheed and Cambria released a track called "21:13."

The title "2114" pays homage to previous progressive rock bands and places Catalyst in line as the genre's successor.

There were no rankings announced at the July 20 show at the Starland Ballroom in Sayreville, but at the finals on Aug. 23, rankings mean everything.

A first-place finish at the Starland Ballroom on Aug. 23 will secure Catalyst the grand prize of $20,000, an album deal, and personalized merchandise.

Despite the potential life-changing impact of such a prize, Decker seemed calm, confident in the band's plan of action.

"We're just going to keep doing what got us here, that's all," he said.