SDC Rocks Reviews
The reviews below are of past SDC Rocks gigs
SDC Rocks at Eastbourne Festival Live 2008
On Friday 28th March, some of the most respected names in modern music will be descending on Eastbourne's Winter Gardens for the first ever Eastbourne Festival Live supported by students from Sussex Downs College.
The Eastbourne Festival kicks off on 15th March and students from Sussex Downs College are delighted to be involved. SDC Rocks has been running for over 2 years, and has given the chance for young artists to support the likes of signed bands The Holloways and Polytechnic as well as other high profile acts.
Taking place at the Winter Gardens, Friday 28th March sees indie pop icon Jack Peñate headline the main stage. With top 10 singles and countless plays on Radio 1, he is known for his soulful ska-fueled songs, eccentric dancing and electric live performances. Jack will be accompanied by Radio 1's eclectic selector Zane Lowe who will be turning his hand to what he knows best - playing out some of the hottest new tunes!
The collaboration between the college and renown artists will help to ensure the younger more inexperienced bands talent does not go unnoticed. Designed to nurture and support emerging local live talent, appearing at the event will be the award winning Natalie's Box, Benjamin, Barrier Dutch, 4 More Reasons and the re-emergence of one of the colleges most popular bands The Five 40's since they reformed under the name of Hold The Phone. The event, which is aged 14+ will give family and friends to see the bands playing in a professional setting.
"Our collective is all about improving the live music scene in Eastbourne," said Adam McNaught-Davis from EBM Live, "and being able to bring the region a top class event on its doorstep - while offering young artists the opportunity to support the best there is - is pretty damn exciting - and a real first!"
SDC Rocks at the Winter Gardens
Music students from Sussex Downs College gathered in anticipation of the evening's entertainment, for a day packed full of rehearsals and performances. The initiative, started in late 2005, is aimed at giving the students a chance to perform in a similar setting to artists such as Keane and The Feeling amongst others. With each band having a quota of tickets to sell over 700 were sold in total, to family, friends and fans, and each band had a stand at which to set up merchandise and demo CD's for sale. The aim of the scheme is to give students a chance to experience a paying crowd, and the drive to impress, something which each individual achieved.
First on was CatFlapRobinson, a four piece band from Eastbourne whose main influences include Muse, The Red Hot Chili Peppers, and The Mars Volta, have a sound reminiscent of old-school Rock mixed with uninhibited enthusiasm. A hard spot to fill the boys drew the crowds to the front of the stage and enticed them in with their sharp vocals. They gave a highly polished performance, and set the bar for the rest of the evening.
Listen to samples of CatFlapRobinson at www.myspace.com/catflaprobinson
Next was Icon, who have described their own unique brand of music as
‘Happy Music' with lead singer Alex Ives saying you don't need to focus on the bad things to write heartfelt music. A very receptive audience soon picked up on the fresh new style of their music, with its cheeky yet romantic sound capturing the imaginations of the crowd.
Currently in the process of recording their demo under Foxfield Management samples of Icon's music and upcoming gigs can be found at www.myspace.com/iconuk
The room lulled as The Five 40's took to the stage, their reputation preceding them as they launched in to a fierce array of songs known and loved by much of the crowd.
Their electro-indie sound is uncontainable and produces energy on stage rarely seen in such young acts. They were also accompanied by an eight piece orchestra for some of their songs, adding a new dimension to the already popular band. Taking influence from groups such as Razorlight and Maximo Park, The Five 40's are expected to go the full distance, and have gigs booked across England, as well as a demo due for release by Sony BMG.
For more information on their demo and upcoming performances visit www.myspace.com/thefive40s
Next to the stage were locally acclaimed Natalie's Box, who have supported acts such as Bad Manners in Hastings. The four piece band took the crowd by storm as they revisited their older and better known material, rather than trying to wow the judges with their newer songs, a bold move that secured their win that evening. Describing the groups sound is near impossible, as the band take influence from so many areas. Lead singer and front man Kai compares their style to a "Quality Street Box", saying there is a little of everything thrown in, but it is clear to see that this is no accident, the mix is very carefully selected to just create that love it or hate it tension, with the outcome being that this band is most defiantly loved.
Find out more at www.myspace.com/nataliesbox
The Pursuit, from Lewes, have a sound similar to the Kooks in their up-tempo, rhythmic nature, adding their own flair and innocent lyrics to the mix to create an excitingly bittersweet melody. The fan base they had built up already was clearly impressed by the performance and the interaction between the group and the crowd showed they have a lot of respect for their fans, acting on requests as much as routine. The Pursuits spontaneous nature and the overall look of the group ensured yet another brilliant performance.
Check out their latest gig dates at www.myspace.com/thepursuituk
Last to perform was Speakyourheart, with an energetic performance of their chilled out sound, combined with soulful lyrics. Speakyourheart have recently produced a 7 track mini album with Engineer Records, proving these guys are more than just a pretty face. The variation in styles they use on stage makes it abundantly clear they are all accomplished musicians, as well as having a great rapport with the crowd, encouraging them to interact and finish off the evening in style.
For more information about the group visit www.myspace.com/speakyourheartband
SDC Rocks with the Holloways
On Tuesday November 27 Sussex Downs College Rocks supported one of the biggest up-and-coming bands to play in Eastbourne this year, The Holloways.
Students from Sussex Downs College waited in anticipation as college bands were given the opportunity to support The Holloways at the Funktion Rooms. The group have reached the top 20 in the UK singles chart and their album ‘So, This Is Great Britain?' was showcased on Radio 1's Live Lounge in October.
SDC Rocks, started in 2005, is aimed at giving students a chance to perform in a similar setting as other local artists such as Keane and The Kooks. Each band has a quota of tickets to sell to family, friends and fans. The scheme gives students the chance to experience a paying crowd and the drive to impress an audience.
The four college bands that played support were chosen from over 20 that currently study at the college based on their musical ability and commitment to the course. Speakyourheart and Charlie Uniform are familiar to the local music scene, having both played live in Eastbourne over the past few months. Newcomers to SDC Rocks, Guess 38 and 4 More Reasons were also playing.
Speakyourheart were invited to chat with The Holloways backstage, who were interested in the college's involvement in the gig. The venue had been made 16 plus for the event to allow college students to see the bands.
Southern FM's Paul Hillyer who coordinates the live events at the Funktion Rooms, said: "Sussex Downs College has a solid reputation as a hotbed of creative talent and I wanted to capture this."
SDC Rocks with Nick Oliveri
The Famous Nick Oliveri, formerly in American rock band Queens of the Stone Age and his new band Mondo Generator played at Function Rooms on the 3rd December, supported by college born band ‘This Project.' The four boys, Liam Kearley, Jack Childs, Nigel Martin and Josh Richardson, played 2nd in the line up of 4 and attracted the attention of Nick himself, who said he was impressed with the bands performance and wished them luck.
This Project got involved with the show as a result of being spotted in Sky bar, at a College SDC Rocks gig last month. They have gained a significant fan base and have played in numerous venues around the area. They were also recognised for winning Battle of the Bands last year.
Liam Kearley, who is currently a student at Sussex Downs College, was honoured to be involved. He commented "It was awesome" and said that both Nick and his band were really approachable.
This Project have also had a vote of confidence from the rock stars as they have exchanged details and asked to be kept up to date with This Project's progress.
SDC Rocks VI
On the evening of Thursday 16th November Sussex Downs College once again dominated Sky Bar, Terminus Road with the penultimate SDC Rocks of 2006.
The Competition/Gig is an opportunity for music students to showcase their work to a paying crowd made up of their peers and prospective investors.
This month's line up consisted of four bands: Analogical, The Five 40's, The Pursuit and Anxiety.
The opening band, Analogical (Mat Mcquade, Kraig Russell and Josh Brister) was set back by their lack of a bassist but managed to give a sterling performance and entertained the crowds.
Based in Hastings the bands Alternative Grunge sound likens them to the abstracted vocals of Nirvana combined with the instrumental styles of Pink Floyd and Thrice.
Samples of Analogical's music and dates of upcoming gigs can be found at www.myspace.com/analogicaluk
Next up were The Five 40's, one of the most accomplished bands in the competition. Dan Wallwork, Ed Seymour ,Ollie Marchant, Neil Mitchell and Ross Pettigrew started the band in 2005 and already have a huge fan base.
Opening the set with the greatly anticipated Kraftwerk the band stole the show and their highly individual sound impressed all in attendance.
In true rocker style the band gave an energised performance and encouraged all to dance. Samples of The Five 40's music and dates of upcoming gigs can be found at www.myspace.com/thefive40s
Playing third was The Pursuit, consisting of Log, Duncan, Matt and George.
With their polished look and instant likeability factor they got the crowd up and dancing in seconds. "Fairy Tales" gives a clear definition of their sound, being similar to the Kooks in vocals but with clear definition of their unique style coming through in instrumentals.
Samples of The Pursuit's music and dates of upcoming gigs can be found at www.myspace.com/thepursuituk
Last to play was Anxiety, Pete Keen, Simon Coe and James Williams.
Playing to a much more subdued crowd the trio hypnotised the audience with their intense emotional blend of music, the lead singer Pete giving an inspiring performance.
Taking influence from artists such as Nina Simone, The Libertines and Damien Rice the sound is much more vulnerable and acoustic than the previous performers giving the evening a climactic finish.
Samples of Anxiety's music and dates of upcoming gigs can be found at www.myspace.com/anxietysound
SDC Rocks V
On the evening of Thursday 19th October Sussex Downs College held its termly rock concert in Sky Bar, terminus road. SDC Rocks, which as become a sell-out event in the college calendar is a showcase for music students to present their work to peers and prospective investors in an authentic venue to a paying crowd. SDC Rocks V was no exception to this, having yet again under anticipated the reception of the event and was forced to turn people away.
Featuring four bands in this terms line up the opening act was a firm favourite and last years winners, This Project which contains Josh Richardson, Jack Childs, Nigel Martin and Liam Kearley.
Their unique style and adventurous approach to music makes them a must see, a view which is echoed throughout Eastbourne as they have played in a variety of venues over the past few months. The band is mainly instrumental yet the vocals leave nothing to be desired. The depth and complexity of their work shines through as they attempt things that would usually be steered well clear when composing, but succeed with dramatic effect. Lead singer Nigel's voice has a haunting quality that lingers giving a bittersweet aftertaste of what is shaping up to be one of the hottest young bands in Eastbourne.
Samples of This Project's music and dates of upcoming gigs can be found at www.myspace.com/thisproject
Next up was Speakyourheart (Laurie Cottingham, Martin Heseldene, Alex Robinson and Ben Corfe) with their uplifting style and fresh sound; the boys have likened themselves to artists such as Fall of Troy and Alexisonfire, yet have a decidedly new approach to vocals reminiscent of Thrice. Performing to a much appreciative audience the band thrived on the reception and gave a stunning first performance.
Samples of Speakyourheart's music and dates of upcoming gigs can be found at www.myspace.com/speakyourheartband
Playing third was Push Power, comprising Sam Yard, Tom White, Adam Goddard and Jack Miltiadous.
The only band to appear from the Lewes campus Push Power gave a spontaneous performance and launched into a mixed repertoire of genre's, describing their own brand as Proper Progressive Punk Pop creating a musical medley which really worked. With a visible stage presence the band involved much of the audience in their performance. Being the outsiders in the show Push power really came into their own and are defiantly worth listening to.
Samples of Push Power's music and dates of upcoming gigs can be found at www.myspace.com/pushpowerband
Last to play was The Terrorcats (Matt Underwood, Steve Bridle, Ele Drinkall and Sam Daintree) who have an entirely unique sound, and their first song appeared to be a theme song – which everyone knew the words to and sang along. The music, a new style dubbed psychobilly is a heady mix of punk and rockabilly. By far the most animated of the evening's performers the Cats sound is infectious. Taking influence from artists such as the Horror Pops and Chuck Berry The Terrorcats offer up an new genre to the excited masses of Eastbourne, who no doubt will receive them with open arms.
Samples of The Terrorcats music and dates of upcoming gigs can be found at www.myspace.com/theterrorcats
SDC Rocks II
Earlier this month, students from Sussex Downs College held the third annual SDC Rocks Gig at Stringbendy in Eastbourne. The event was sold out in advance, and the bands had a great reception when they took to the stage. Many of the bands were supported by their already growing fan bases, as well as friends and family.
First on stage were Icon, whose music is described by lead singer Alex Innes as "Happy Music". The band, which is made up of Innes together with Gavin Duly, Alex Bugden, and Jason Downin-Wait, provided an upbeat and dynamic performance. Samples of Icons music and dates of upcoming gigs can be found at www.myspace.com/iconuk
Up next were Burnin Til Dawn, who took influence from bands such as Disturbd and Metallica. The dark and sinister music from proved popular with the crowd. The band is formed of Jaie, Jizo, Nev, Dani, Verity and Magnus, who have developed a great chemistry over the past few years.
Samples of Burnin Til Dawn's music and dates of upcoming gigs can be found at www.myspace.com/burnintildawn
Onstage next were This Project, consisting of Josh, Liam, Nigel and Jack. This mainly instrumental band is tipped to become the next big thing to come out of Sussex, following the likes of Keane, Ordinary Boys and The Kooks. Samples of This Project's music and dates of upcoming gigs can be found at www.myspace.com/thisproject
Finally, The Five-40's hit the stage with their indie rock sound. The group is formed by Dan Wallwork, Ed Seymour, Ollie Marchant, Neil Mitchell (Mitch) and Ross Pettigrew. With reviews covered by such magazines as East and NME this band have a great chance to make it to the top. Their confidence onstage is tribute to this as they gave a highly polished performance to round off the evening. Samples of the five-40s music and dates of upcoming gigs can be found at www.myspace.com/thefive40s
