Battle of the Bands

Swindon Academy Presents

26th November 2014Doors 18:30 – Show 19:00

Martin Ranscombe (aka "the Drum Guru") is one of Europe's leading drumming educators and is highly regarded for his unique but effective approach to tackling drummers' everyday issues - ranging from playing techniques and ergonomics to kit tuning and setup.

In March 2013, Martin was featured in an interview in DRUMMER magazine and has since written a series of articles under the banner of 'Pain Free Drumming' where he revealed his approach to injury prevention and rehabilitation.

Due to the success of this series, Martin was invited to present the new, on-going video series - 'A Problem Shared' - where he answers questions sent in by the readers about any drum-related question one can think of!

Martin originally 'shot to fame' in 2006 with his highly popular series of articles for RHYTHM magazine - demonstrating his straightforward yet 'on-the-money' method for drum tuning.

Martin is proud to be an artist for: Natal drums, Meinl cymbals, Vater sticks, Aquarian drumheads, Protection Racket, ProGuard and Groove Juice.

Alex Sturgeon began his musical journey at the tender age of 13 by wanting to be a drummer. His musical influences are bands such as Status Quo, Slade, The Beatles & The Rolling Stones. During his time as a student at Swindon Academy, Alex participated in the first ever Christmas talent show, School Benefits, Grease the musical and most memorable of all as a 6th former in the National Rock & Pop Festival in Birmingham with an audience of over 3000 people. Alex is studying Popular music at the University of Gloucestershire and he has toured the country with local bands. As a well-respected session musician, songwriter and recording artist in the Cheltenham area, Alex has recording credits to his name both as a drummer and as a sound engineer. Last year he released an album in the Swindon area which is available online. It was recorded with local singing sensation Alistair Ward.Alex is passionate about music and hopes students at Swindon Academy follow their dream in realizing talents and pursuing careers in music.Joe Critchley is a 28 year old musician and music fan who has been playing in bands since receiving his first bass guitar aged 13. Whilst studying for his degree in 2007, Joe and a group of friends managed to gain a support slot on a fairly large UK tour with Enter Shikari, and ended playing in front over 20,000 people in just over a month, an experience he will never forget! From September 2011 to July 2013 Joe worked at Swindon Academy as the Expressives Technician, supporting the music department by tuning guitars, pottering around in the studio and occasionally playing along in the background at concerts and during school drama productions. At present he is professionally focused more on the visual side of things, working as an Art Technician at The John Lyon School in Harrow, London. Outside of work however he continues to devour music of all kinds insatiably and travels back to Swindon regularly to play bass guitar in a fuzzy noise-pop band called Super Squarecloud, who are on the verge of releasing the first single from their 2nd album.

Judges

JEDMASMarlee Ferguson-piano & vocalsSophie Adcock-vocalsAmie Louise-Woodward-vocalsEmma Halls-vocalsJosh Dixon-guitarDalveen Sandhu-cello

TWO’S COMPANYMegan Day-vocalsConnor Horgan-electro-acoustic guitarJamie Curtis-cajon drum

PFDLauren Stokes-vocals Kylie Glover-backing vocalsKai Oakley-electric guitarPiotr Lopatka-electric guitarSteven Horwood-bass guitarKiel-Martin Dawson-drum kit

ANONYMOUSRyan Williams-pianoBethany Lane-vocalsCourtney Jordan-guitarSasha PiperBronwyn Pollard-drum kit

ARCTIC THUNDER Lauren Stokes-vocalsLuke Thompson-electric guitarRyan Middlebrook-bass guitarAlex Sturgeon-drums

SHE-READ OUT LOUDMegan Day-vocalsMalcolm Cook-vocals Connor Horgan-electro-acoustic guitarRyan Middlebrook –bass guitar Jamie Curtis-drum kitPULSERebecca Timms-vocalsConnor Horgan-electro-acoustic guitarRyan Middlebrook-drum kit

NOISE 2Rebecca Timms-vocals & pianoKieran Lee-Adams-electro-acoustic guitarMatthew Smith-guitarConnor Horgan-electric guitarRyan Middlebrook-bass guitarJamie Curtis-drum kit

Competing Bands

Guest Band

Musical Directors & Show ProducersMiss Leigh Matthews Mr David Jones

Sound & Lighting Luke ThompsonRyan Middlebrook

Miss Matthews and Mr Jones would like to congratulate all the performers for their hard work.  Big thanks go to the technical support team for the sound and lighting, and to the judges for giving their time and expertise this evening.

BECALISHUSRebecca Clarke-vocals Alisha Boyce-vocals