Fever pitch is just right (From Basingstoke Gazette)

Fever pitch is just right

10:20am Friday 5th February 2010

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The Hexagon, Reading
January 23

UNLIKE a normal Saturday (for me), I found myself in the plush surroundings of the Hexagon in Reading for the final of the Battle of the school bands, 2010, presented by Reading Rock Academy.

Entries from Hampshire, Berkshire and Oxfordshire had been whittled down to eight finalists, including, amazingly, two bands from Brighton Hill Community College. The odds were in favour of one of them bringing home the big prize – £5,000 worth of musical equipment for their school.

The first Basingstoke band was Retrograde, a five-piece rock band who draw inspiration from the cream of British rock bands, although they stressed that inspiration didn’t necessarily mean they sounded like their heroes. They have been together for around 18 months and said they already felt like winners for having got this far.

The second Basingstoke band were Bless the Hour, who have been together for four months, although the core of the band had been involved in an earlier musical venture. They too listed major artists as their inspiration with a wide range of styles and genres on the list. They had played smaller shows and private parties before, but nothing on this scale.

The auditorium was packed with friends, family, school staff and figures from the world of popular music. The judges included Nick Heyward (Haircut 100 fame), Mark “Tufty” Evans (Will Young, Girls Aloud and The Bee Gees), Stuart Epps (producer for Elton John, Led Zepplin and Robin Williams), Danny Fraifeld (of Purple Turtle venues) and Merv Young a prominent figure in the Registry of Guitar Tutors.

The overall quality of the performances was excellent and a testament to the bands’ skill that they should do so well under intimidating circumstances. It was fantastic to see the crowd support given to all the bands, as audience reaction can make up 50 per cent of a performance!

In the end, I’m afraid to say the bad news for local fans was the winners were Yellow Fever from the Matthew Arnold School in Oxfordshire, who were very strong contenders. So commiserations to Retrograde and Bless the Hour, but they did well and had a fantastic experience.

The event raised funds for Priors Court autism school. Mention also must go to major sponsors Dawsons Guitars, Mark Stratton of Studio 12, for organising the back-line from Marshall Amplification, and the band members of 12 Truths who did all the on-stage sound tech.
–Neil Duncan ISSUEPUNKZINE

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