Drab, made up of Sophia Cacciola, Tanya Power and Jason Layne, is scheduled to play the Rock ’n’ Roll Rumble in April. (Photo: Michael J. Epstein)

The 2015 Rock ’n’ Roll Rumble begins April 12 and runs for nine nights, all at T.T. the Bear’s Place in Central Square, a battle of 24 competing bands that can bring local performers cash prizes and production help in addition to visibility (and a ceremonial tiara).

Past participants in the Rumble, which dates back to 1979, are an impressive crew, including the Amazing Royal Crowns, Bleu, Darkbuster, Del Fuegos, The Dresden Dolls, Gang Green, Morphine, Powerman 5000, The Sheila Divine, The Shods and ’til tuesday.

“The Rumble is known for bringing together bands who would likely never otherwise play together, and for featuring a wide range of styles to represent the New England music scene. This year is no different,” said organizer Anngelle Wood, of WZLX-FM’s local-music show, “Boston Emissions.”

This year’s competitors: Band Without Hands; Dan Webb & The Spiders; Dirty Bangs; The Dirty Looks; Drab; Duck & Cover; Eternals; Le Roxy Pro; Mercury On Mars; Mister Vertigo; Murcielago; Nate Leavitt Band; Nemes; New City Ghost; Protean Collective; Psychic Dog; The Rare Occasions; Raw Blow; Salita; Soft Pyramids; The Static Dynamic; The Warning Shots; Yale, Massachusetts; and Zip-Tie Handcuffs.

Each night brings four bands playing half-hour sets, judged by music industry pros, with a winner announced at the end of the night to move onto compete again the next weekend.

Preliminaries begin April 12 – a Sunday – and last six nights, with the intervening Wednesday being the Rumble’s traditional “day of rest.” Semifinals are April 23 and April 24, and finals are May 1. Tickets (including “Full Boat” passes to all nine nights) are on sale here. T.T. the Bear’s Place is at 10 Brookline St., Central Square.