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A music store is setting the kingdom rocking by helping aspiring musicians to make the grade and gain enough confidence to reach for the stars.
The Room 2 Rock in Hamala is the brainchild of entrepreneur Chris Fischer and his music teacher Manny Cordero who were inspired by the Hollywood blockbuster movie School of Rock in which a wannabe rock star in need of cash poses as a substitute teacher at a prep school and tries to turn his class into a rock band.
Manny, 58, from Zinj, head instructor at the organisation, said: "We originally wanted to open a music store but the thought stuck that it should also include lessons for enthusiasts.
"We hope to encourage music lovers to be creative as well as introduce them to a variety of styles of music."
Early this year, GulfWeekly reported how the 'Batteries Not Included' band comprising four 10-year-old St Christopher's School pupils opened a rock and pop festival held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Manama just 12 months after being snubbed by the organisers for not being good enough.
The Year 5 boys -_Mohammed Jalal (known as MJ) lead singer and guitarist, Omar Al Kooheji, lead guitarist, Billy Mattar, bass guitarist, and drummer Daryl Egan -_hired a room at Room 2 Rock to practice each week to perfect their playing ability and song mastery.
Mr Fischer, 39, from Sehla, is managing director of 3D International, parent company of Room 2 Rock, and is curr-ently on holiday. He and Manny brain-stormed on how best to develop the idea of offering lessons, sessions and practices alongside retailing and recording - all under one roof.
Mr Fischer signed up US-based music manufacturing company USM Corporation to offered guitars, drums, strings, amplifiers and more for sale and once the base was set up, the search for fresh talent began in earnest.
Store manager Khalid Ashoo, 22, was recruited alongside music teachers Roger Manaois, 47, and Yousef Abdulla Al Mufeez, 23, and product specialist Abdulla Muijrers, 23.
David Martin, 46, a student at Room 2 Rock, said: "I have been taking two lessons a week since last January.
"I used to play the guitar when I was 15 but had to give it up to concentrate on my studies and then my career in the construction industry."
After moving to Bahrain three years ago he decided to rekindle his love of music and went in search of an electronic guitar teacher in the kingdom. A colleague mentioned Manny, a part-time music teacher at his daughter's school, who had connections with Room 2 Rock.
Mr Martin, a quantity surveyor from Mahouz, explained: "Room 2 Rock has been extremely helpful - the instructors are really good and they have a lot of patience.
"At the moment I am continuing to pursue my hobby but if I manage to reach a certain standard I would love to play some gigs in the kingdom."
Earlier this year, Khalid and Abdulla attended a trade conference in California, US, to sign distribution agreements and broaden the product range they had on offer. Khalid said: "We are exposing Bahrain to areas people would have never dreamed of. We went and spoke with all the companies we want to come here.
"We also plan to attend next year's conference and try to get more musical equipment such as software, microphones, recording equipment and more.
"At the end of the day, what we are really proud of is that our actions lead to a whole country being exposed to musical instrument manufacturers that have never been here before. For instance, Washburn guitars have been around for 125 years but have never been seen in Bahrain - until now."
Aside from its local list of fans, the store also welcomes visitors in droves from neighbouring Arab countries.
Khalid said: "We have had visitors coming in from Saudi Arabia to just 'hang out'. They come each weekend, meet their friends, check the instruments, buy some and return the next weekend all over again. We have also had visitors from Kuwait who drive nearly 800km just for the music store!"
The store has also recently been visited by well-known Canadian singer and songwriter, John Paul Cormier, who performed at both the British Club and Dilmun Club.
Room 2 Rock provides music lessons for players of numerous instruments including the electric guitar, Spanish guitar, acoustic guitar, bass guitar, drums, keyboard and piano alongside vocals.
