In a world awash with anodyne manufactured pop, some kids still want to rock, as Kevin Courtney finds out.
A horde of teenagers arrives at the Ambassador in Dublin, clutching guitars, drumsticks and whatnot, excitement in their eyes and Kurt Cobain images on their t-shirts. They're here for the finals of the Wella Shockwaves Unsigned New Music Competition, which will kick off in front of a crowd of schoolmates, parents, teachers and - hopefully - music biz people.
They'll be competing for the grand prize: a one-day session at a top recording studio, a professional photo shoot with a top photographer, and a Fanning session on 2FM. There's also a trophy, which will be presented to the winners' school, and a holiday voucher for the teacher who has mentored the winning act.
There are 10 acts in all, chosen from five regional heats held around the country late last year, and the styles range from punk-metal to acoustic folk-pop to gothic trance. Most of the band members are still at school; none of them is older than 20.
There's Icon from Maynooth Post Primary in Co Kildare, The Outcasts from Coláiste Spioraid Naoimh in Cork, and Paraffin from Drumshanbo Vocational School in Co Leitrim. None of the bands has ever played in such a large venue before - in fact, some of them have never played in any venue before. Today, they'll experience the thrill of being real rock 'n' roll stars. They'll have dressing rooms, a full crew to set up their equipment, sound and lighting engineers, even their own guitar tech.
It's 11 a.m., the bands have met with the crew, and now they're ready to soundcheck. The first five bands run through their paces, there's a break for lunch, and the final five do their run-through. At 5 p.m., the 2FM Roadcaster parks in front of the Ambassador, ready to broadcast throughout the evening, and at 6 p.m. the bands are called in to prepare for tonight's performance. A Wella Shockwaves stylist is on hand to assist in getting that bedraggled look just right. At 6.30 p.m., the doors to the Ambassador are opened, and hundreds of teenagers burst through as if it's the last day of school. Is everybody in? Because the show is about to begin.
At 7 p.m., the judges arrive and take their places in the VIP area on the balcony. The judging panel is chaired by Sam Healy from Hot Press, and comprises Ian Wilson from 2FM, Dave Couse, formerly of Dublin band A House, Jack Lukeman, better known as Jack L, and Graham Finn from Irish dance act, Bass Odyssey. But two of the judges, Dave Fanning, from 2FM, and yours truly, from The Irish Times, are late. The show, however, must go on, so the competition's music director, Ashley Keating, briefs the panel on its task, to assess the acts under three categories: Best Overall Act, Best Performance and Most Original Act. Unlike those reality TV shows, where the judges strip contestants of their dignity in front of an entire nation, we'll be giving the bands positive feedback, highlighting strong points and giving constructive advice on improvement. After all, they're only young, they've got plenty of time to get better, and it's only a bit of fun in the end.
At 7.30 p.m., the last two judges arrive just in time to catch the first band, Icon, who sound like they've been a) practising hard, b) working carefully on their songs and 3) listening to Nickelback, Radiohead and Coldplay. The second act, Untitled, from C.B.S. Secondary School in Thurles, are a jumpy blend of Blink 182 and Foo Fighters, making up in youthful energy what they lack in co-ordination. The Outcasts share a name with a 1970s punk band from Northern Ireland, but since these kids weren't even born then, there's hardly likely to be any confusion.
The first solo act is Geoff Dukes (16) from St. Joseph's C.B.S. in Drogheda; he doesn't look much like a rock star, but he sings with a warm, deep voice and his songs are well-written. "I started about two years ago, when I was 14, and I just love performing," he says. "I don't like the attention so much as showing people that I can do it."
About 80 of his school friends came from Drogheda to cheer him on. "That was the best thing of the night, seeing all your mates. I loved the fact that me mates came up just for me."
Seskin are the only all-girl band on tonight, so when they come on stage dressed all in black, there's a huge cheer from the lads in the crowd. They have a little trouble with their sound at the beginning, but the crew are on hand to sort things out, and the girls get on with their quirky, Throwing Muses-meets-The Breeders style indie rock. The most theatrical act of the night is a young DJ from De La Salle College in Waterford who calls himself Phreak. He arrives onstage as Hannibal Lecter, wearing a hockey mask and straitjacket, is wheeled out on a trolley and flanked by a couple of dozen guys wearing hoods. Full marks for showmanship.
Listening to No Big Thing from Scoil Dara Secondary in Kilcock, Co Kildare and Unnameus (you name us, get it?) from the Donahies Community School in Donaghmede, it sounds like American rock exerts the biggest influence on our rock wannabes, particularly the skateboard-punk sounds of Blink 182 and Sum 41, or the grungy rock of Nickelback, Nirvana and The Red Hot Chili Peppers. The final act, Waif from Blackrock College, sound like they listen more to Britpop, but their song, Life After The Leaving, is a raucous Irish rocker, more suited to The Pogues than Blur. They deliver their catchy songs with brash confidence, and are clear winners with the audience. The judges' decision is unanimous - Untitled win Best Performance, Geoff Dukes is the Most Original Act, but Waif are the overall winners. Now go home, the lot of you - it's way past your bedtime.