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Hi everyone, and Caed Mille Failte from beautiful Ireland where we’re having a great time on holiday which I’ll tell you all about when we get back! For now, let’s just say that the welcome has been warm and the food has been delicious.
Thanks again too, to the good people at Gulf Air for sorting out the pickle I found myself in when our flights got changed and I nearly got stranded in London instead of going to Dublin (Sorry for getting you out of bed, Danny). But that’s another story…
For now I’ve got some more interviews and happenings from before our trip that I’m desperate to tell you all about.
Firstly, I compered at the St Christopher’s School ‘Rock and Pop Festival’. What a brilliant night! The ages of the kids performing ranged from nine years up to 18.
The festival was held outside, at the Crowne Plaza Hotel with an impressive stage setup. The guys from Hilwan worked the sound and lighting and the main sponsors were the lovely people from “Room to Rock”.
I went onstage after a great intro from the first band; “Paradigm Shift”, and said hello to a very enthusiastic crowd (after the smoke died down and I could see them, that is). Paradigm Shift really rocked the place. Next there were solo performances and then the youngest band ‘The Little Rockers’ came on. The average age of the band members was just nine. They were incredible and I want to make a big mention of Daryl Egan on the drums. He may be the smallest drummer I’ve ever seen, but he’s also about most energetic. Good on ye!
When I came back onstage I played “Smoke on the Water” on guitar (thanks to Manny Cordero, for teaching me a couple of riffs). Halfway through I started talking and being a bloke and so unable to do two things at once, I automatically stopped strumming the guitar. To my embarrassment the guitar music continued! This was, of course, because it was really Manny who was doing the playing off stage).
I was busted; the sad truth is I can’t read a note, much less play one on a guitar!
Next to perform were two sisters; Ella and Adele (so sorry girls – but I didn’t get your full names) who brought the tempo down with a couple of great songs from KT Tunstall and Shakira.
The talent of the bands and the soloists was just amazing.
Then, even the heads of the senior school and junior school; Nick Wilson and Ian Fellowes got onstage and joined forces with their band “Like What”.
They did good renditions of U2’s ‘With Or Without You’ and also the Killers “All These Things That I’ve Done”.
Drama teacher Tony Thomas sang some believable Johnny Cash and Natalie Lines and Amber Rowe did a fun version of ‘Breaking Free’ from High School Musical. Then to finish off, my favourite band of the night ‘Quarantine’ absolutely stormed the place.
After the show there was a fabulous surprise for everyone. Jane from Room to Rock came onstage and presented two guitars to the best male and female guitarists.
Congratulations to winners Leander Vaz and Adele.
Then all the performers came back onstage for the finale and we finished off a truly great night.
During the evening I chatted to lots of people including the band members of ‘Quarantine’.
First was Connor Speechly ‘Dude’ who is 15 and who confessed to being influenced by ‘old rock’ such as Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath and also by his dad.
Connor has moved onto bass but he used to play lead guitar. He says that “I love heavy stuff like ‘Lamb of God’ and ‘Children of Bodum” and people like ‘Limp Bizkit’.
I like a lot of stuff – I’m mixed”.
Sounds like me too – except I’m just mixed up and I like just about everything except cucumbers.
I also spoke to Anirudh Kumar who is 16 and the band’s vocalist.
I asked a trick question; “How long can you sing for?” The answer was “a few hours”. Anirudh then said that hot water is best for his throat when he’s been singing.
“Sometimes in the morning I like lemon and honey and served warm is best.”
Hmmm interesting! One of the vocalists that Anirudh most admires is Matt Keefy who sings for Trivium and also Cory Taylor.
Anirudh also likes bands like Megadeth and Led Zeppelin and, of course, his favourite subject at school is music.
Next I spoke briefly to Sam Rowe, who I didn’t recognise at first because he’s had his hair cut short. His favourite drummers are Joey from Slipknot and Chris Adler from Lamb of God. I also spoke to Rohan Krishnan, the band’s lead guitarist who’s been playing for five years and plays acoustic guitar.
The band has been together for about two years. Rohan likes the Red Hot Chilli Peppers and especially the lead guitarist John Franshantay.
What a great bunch of kids. Keep up the good work and best of luck for the future guys.
Keep on rocking and I hope you’re missing me… or have at least noticed that I’m away.
Bye for now
Krazy Kevin
