Our own website

Hi everyone,

Just wanna let you know that Rock City now has it's own website http://www.rockcityschool.net/

Besides getting more info bout us and what we are up to, you can also listen and download songs there.

And by the way, the report and pics of the Rock City Blazing Guitar Challenge Finals is also there.

2nd Round Results (9th Nov)

Hi guys, the results are out. Congratulations to those that made it to the last round whose names are here. To those that didn't, we salute you for the good effort and hope to see you again at the next challenge.

The briefing on the format for the last round will be at 12pm and soundcheck will commence immediately after that. Here are the names of the last 16.

1. Wong Kar Wei
2. Alvin Gideon Doss
3. Mohd Fazly
4. Mohd Anas Firdaus
5. Asraf Raiz b. Mohd Songib
6. Mohd Zairul Azreen Shah
7. Abdullah Abdul Rahman
8. Low Wen Fei
9. Mazlan b. Sheik Anib
10. Hasnol Sheiyh
11. Mohd Najeeb b. Ab Manan
12. Mohd Harith b. Mohd Soffian
13. Ihzwan Omar
14. Mohd Nadzir b. Adnan
15. Bejaya Ak Jarum
16. Saiful Nizam Shukor

Will try to post some pics later. :)

Tony

Format for Semis and some Pictures :)

UPDATE :- The soundcheck and the briefing on the format this sunday will be at 12pm instead of 10am. Show starts at 3pm. Thank you.


Hi there, as promised here is the format for the semis which is this coming sunday 9th Nov. Just want to inform also that we will be keeping in touch with you through this blog only and there will be no further sms from us so do check in from time to time.

Introducing "Rockcity's Guitar Duel". This will be the format for this coming sunday 9th Nov. There will be 2 contestants playing over the same backing track where one will take on a 16 bar improvisation followed by the other who will also take on another 16 bar improvisation immediately after the first contestant is done. Points will be given on creativity, technique and expression but points will be deducted if the improvisation is longer than 16 bar so that means if you overplay you will lose out on points. There will be 2 rounds with different backing track for every contestant.

On another note the judges commented that the sound set by some of the contestants during the Heats is inappropriate for them to judge accurately as either the sound is jarringly sharp or lack clarity. If the judges can't hear you then they can't judge you accordingly so try adjusting your sound again. Just some pointers for your effects sound adjustment, try cutting down on treble...boost up the mid higher than the treble, cut down on bass cause bass will muddle up clarity and you should do fine on that day.

All the best and may the best guitar slinger wins.

Tony

RESULTS 1st Week Heats

Here are the results of the Heats. Congratulations to those that made it and farewell to those that didn't. There will be 24 contestants moving to the next round on the 9th Nov instead of 12. If your name is stated below that means we will be seeing you this coming sunday.

1. Wong Kar Wei
2. Alvin Gideon Doss
3. Mohd Fazly
4. Emmanuel Lim
5. Ihzwan Omar
6. Asraf Raiz b. Mohd Songib
7. Hasnol Sheiyh
8. Mohd. Nadzir b. Adnan
9. Raiwe Peter
10. Mazlan b. Sheik Anib
11. Ahmad Nazri b. Zakaria
12. Norfairuz b. Mohd Nazmi
13. Mohd Najeeb b. Ab Manan
14. Abdullah Abdul Rahman
15. Mohd Harith b. Mohd Soffian
16. Wan Amirulfazly b. Wan Ahmad
17. Bejaya ak Jarum
18. Kieran David Jumawan
19. Mohd. Anas Firdaus b. Mukaram
20. Mohd. Zairul Azreen Shah
21. Saiful Nizam Shukor
22. Low Wen Fei
23. Mohd Nur Afendi
24. Ahmad Hazli Hasmi

Please check back this page before friday for more information on the format for the next round. Guitar duel will be introduced this week so stay tuned. It will be unlike what you have done before. Feels very much like a gunslinging western showdown just that you will be holding a guitar instead. :)

Tony

(UPDATES) Rock City Blazing Guitar Challenge

Hello, to all the contestants of Blazing Guitar Challenge. There will be a briefing and soundcheck at 10am at the event venue, Sungei Wang 6th floor known also as T-Hop. Your punctuality will be to your own advantage. The backing tracks will be unveiled then so make sure you are present as the backing tracks will not be played again until the competition begin.
There will be 2 Marshall JCM amps provided so you don't have to bring your own. Due to the large number of contestants, each contestant will be given less than 10 min for soundcheck. Please come prepared. We advise that you go through the necessary list of things that you would need to setup your equipment. Eg: Extension power cords, 3 way adaptors, guitar cable, etc.
Thank you and looking forward to meeting all of you on sunday. All the best!

Tony

Rock City Blazing Guitar Challenge

Attention all guitarists! Think you have what it takes to be a Guitar Superstar? Then join this blazing challenge!

1st Prize: RM 1200.00 (plus Aria PE Gothic Guitar worth RM1469.00 sponsored by La Floresta)
2nd Prize: RM 600.00
3rd Prize: RM 300.00

Venue: T-Hop (6th Floor), Sungei Wang Plaza
Heats: 2nd November 2008
Semis: 9th November 2008
Finals: 16th November 2008
Time: 3 pm onwards

This is the first challenge of its kind for guitar players. You will have the opportunity to shine with your solo skills with and without music accompaniment. Challengers will be playing against each other in guitar duels that judge you on creative improvisation, technique and showmanship (so dress up in your best rock & roll gear while you strut your stuff).

The challenge is open to all from ages 13 to 30, except those with current or prior recording contracts or music endorsement deals. So if you think you have what it takes, join this blazing challenge.

For more details, call 603 2070 2141, 012 6655 450, 016 607 2200

(Each challenger is subjected to a RM 10.00 registration fee. Closing date 31st October 2008)

Celebrating the United Family of Malaysia: 51st Merdeka 08

During our last performance in the house (80s Nite) I mentioned that the students of Rock City are too comfortable playing in front of family and friends and that it was time to take them outside to perform for strangers.

And this we have done (way before our year end deadline) when we put on a rapturous show at Jalan Bukit Bintang in front of Sungei Wang plaza for the 51st Merdeka on 30th August 2008 night. And since our students come from various walks of life, comprising of different races and religion, we find it appropriate to celebrate the United Family of Malaysia with songs of different languages and cultures. We even threw in a Japanese number for our foreign friends…(though of course we can’t represent every visitor to Malaysia present by singing a song of your nation, but our hearts are with you and we want to thank you for celebrating our country’s independence with us)

Our grateful regards to all the teachers and students involved for your invaluable sacrifice for coming for the countless practices to perfect the music and in the process I think we unearthed hidden talents and gems in many of you.

I am inspired by all of you for taking on this challenge and making it a success, but most of all I’m glad you had fun…a crucial element of life. I know most of you had butterflies in the stomach, but fret not; even the most seasoned performer gets nervous before going on stage. But you know once up there rocking it out, the fear disappears. So I’m very encouraged you chose to face your fears to live a part of your dream, developing that confidence in you that gets you going in life.

Therefore I’m already looking forward to more performances by the students of Rock City School of Music in public in the future…up to the time you are so damn good the public is screaming for you to grace the stage.

Kit

Recording the Rat

Finally! After months and months of practice, planning, logistic nightmares we finally got to the studio for the recording of the Year of The Rat, (though the album may be named something else - have not really decided on the name)

For most of the students it was a new experience, first time stepping in to a recording studio, so you can imagine all the cameras snapping away - you know everyone looking cool on their instruments in a room of warm lights, timber flooring and a rustic carpet...now you know why everyone likes to hang out in studios. Some pretended to be sound engineers (when Chee Meng the engineer was not looking) in the control room.

But it was great, we had fun, recorded 5 tracks - Fazly, Razak and Tony letting out in the smooth rock tunes of Left Behind and Happy Birthday, the younger ones - Afendi, Fauzan and Felix ripping it with the punk infused Goddesses and Onion Rings...with the solid Rock & Roller guiding them on bass, and of course finally our rose amongst the thorns Siew Yee who laid down her laid back hypnotic keys on VDentata after David and the Rock & Roller recorded the raunchy riffs and pulsating basslines.

3 takes each song , and I'm now going through them to choose the best to lay the vox and solos. Will be going back in to the studio to polish things up a bit while the vox students rehearse and the guitar soloists perfect their runs.

So happy practising guys...will let you know when we will be recording the Rat part 2.

We caught the rat!

Mad Jan Guitar Workshop

The phenomenal Mad Jan from the unassuming sleepy town, Ipoh. For those who miss the workshop fret not, for we have compiled an Instructional Guitar DVD featuring Mad of course and its on Sale Now!

Mad Jan





Wan (Bass), Mad (Guitar), Shah (Drum), Mad's brother (sorry forgot your name)

more pics from the " 80's "......

A big 80s thank you!

It was a blast. Every performance, it keeps on getting better and better. I'm really happy how things are progressing. Thank you again to all the students that participated especially to Hakim and Izzah cos they only had 1 practice with the teachers and 1 practice together. Also thanks to all the teachers, especially Jonie who did such a splendid job with the vocal students in such a short time. I love the fact that the singers are now dancin and shakin on stage!

Next round, we will be taking you all outside. I think everyone is very comfortable performing in our hall, so the next one (end of the year) will be a big one in public space...maybe Bukit Bintang or the Curve or depending who we can work with. Will fill in the details as we have them. It's high time we performed to strangers, take the level one notch up.

Also want to thank Mad Jan and his team from Ipoh for the guitar clinic in which his turbo powered fingers sped with blistering pace. We were all left in awe...especially when he said he's not a very good guitarist...haha. The DVDs should be ready soon.

So thanks again to everyone for making this a success.

Kit

80s Night and Guitar Clinic

Our next performance is on 30th April 2008 (ignore the earlier mentioned date on the 18th). It’s a Wednesday, but the next day is Labour day so it's a holiday! This time we are going back…way back, to a time of big hair and bigger earrings. A time of tight gaudy pants, carrot cuts and even more ridiculous hairstyles. Thankfully we are musicians and not a fashion school.

Come listen to your favourite 80s hits like Sweet Dreams, Every Breath You Take, Pour Some Sugar On Me and more.

So remember to make a date with us.

Then in order to celebrate Labour day, we are having a guitar clinic on 1st May from 2pm-4pm conducted by a guitar master from Ipoh who was the teacher of one of our very own guitar masters. Call us for more details.

We're Back!

Hi there fellow musicians, rockers and fellow students, sorry for our amazing dissappearing act for the past 2 months. :) Did not get to greet anyone during the recent festive season and the calendar new year so here it is .... drum snare..........HAPPY NEW YEAR AND HAVE A ROCKING YEAR be it in your work, relationship, social but most of all d music.
The Album which Kit talked about The Year of the Rat will be in motion this year as we will start the work this March. For those of you that's interested to know more about it please talk to Kit and he'll be unloading the goods on ya!
Also we are now working on getting the next performance ready for April which, will be dubbed 80's night. As we found out, there's a large number of 80's lovers in the school so we will be organizing this performance specially for you. Have a good rocking time and we'll see you soon. :)