Hell 'n' Back at Birmingham Town Hall 2012

This is our video of us playing our song Hell ‘n’ Back at the town hall in Birmingham in the summer. It was a truly unforgettable gig.  

Solihull Music Service set up the gig, and had it filmed. It’s really great to finally have a video were the sound quality isn’t rubbish!

Unfortunately Tom, the bass player, couldn’t make the gig, so we had to go on without him.

I could tell you about the song, but I will let you watch the video and decide for yourselves. I think it pretty much speaks for itself.

Enjoy. 

Voltage Update

Voltage have been busy working on some new material, but unfortunately we haven't got any more gigs lined up yet which is annoying. It's better when we have something to work towards. The guy's were over yesterday for a rehearsal, and we played in the garage, which we have just had sound-proofed. It's not finished yet, but it's looking cool so far. I will post some pictures of it when it is more finished. 

For now, I hope you can enjoy this video of Iggy and me just doing a bit of jamming at a rehearsal a few weeks ago. 

Why We Don't Swap Instruments!

In Voltage Tom normally plays bass guitar, while I usual bang on the drums, but Tom has a secret longing to be a drummer. Usually we manage to keep him away from the drum kit- and this is why…

On the other hand there is a reason why I am the drummer and not a bass guitarist. He’s me playing Smoke on the Water on Tom’s bass…

Perhaps in future we should stick to our own instruments. 

September Rehersal

Today Voltage gathered at our house for another rehearsal. We practiced our new song- ‘Don’t Get Lippy With Me’. I really love our new song; I think that it might be our best yet. It’s got a crazy riff that gets inside your head, and the drums are very loud. I have been experimenting with some flashy fills, which I think are energetic and a lot of fun. There is still a bit of work to do on timing, but I am going to practice with a metronome before the next rehearsal to work out that problem.

Iggy and his Dad

Ethan on Rhythm Guitar- Mean and Moody!

Tom (bass) and Jack (vocals) Getting to Grips With the New Song

Me getting the beat

Here’s a video of our rehearsal. The sound on the video is shocking- it sounded much better in real life. Hope you enjoy. 

Voltage Jamming!

Last weekend we had another rehearsal where we rocked out. We spent the afternoon working on our new song- it went very well, and the best bit is that I get a singing part (well backing singer at least). Jack wrote the lyrics to the song, which are awesome and rocky, with a very catchy chorus that I can already hear our fans chanting. More on that soon…

Meanwhile I have applied to do my Grade 3 drums, and am waiting for a date. I am looking forward to this because I know I can pass, and I am itching to start grade 4. 

I drink blue juice from under the sink!

Jack managed to forget his microphone, so he ended up using my sisters Karaoke mic. Nice fetching pink mic mate.

Iggy concentrating as he demonstrates the new riff.

This is a shot clip of Voltage just jamming as we try to work out some new material. 

I hope you like it!

Rock on dudes!

Summer Rehearsal

Everybody’s off doing their own thing during the school summer holidays and this makes it difficult for the band to get together, but today we met up for a rehearsal. This was the first time the entire band has got together for ages.

Voltage Rocks!

We were working on some material for a new song. Iggy brought us a sick new riff he has been working out- it’s dark and mean. Tom worked out a base line, which sounds awesome, and now I have got to work out the drums while Jack writes the lyrics. The song’s got an edgy, fast rock feel to it- lots of energy and pace. One run though and everyone in the room were tapping their feet to it- even my granddad! We’re going to get together in four weeks to try to finish it, and hopefully we can nail it before the end of the summer.

Iggy showing us his new riff

It was really fun working on a new song. It felt exciting to be part of the band while we created something completely new, and it gives us something to focus on, especially as we haven’t got any more gigs booked at the moment.

The most important part of any rehearsal is the tea break

Voltage at Birmingham Town Hall

Last night saw Voltage rock it on stage at Birmingham Town Hall, as part of the National Rock and Pop Festival. What a truly amazing experience! We had proper roadies, sound crew, and even groupies! The whole thing was filmed for a DVD, and we even had interviews backstage: a proper rock’n’roll evening.

  We were the seventh band to play, and when we got on stage you could see that the audience were looking a bit fed up. They saw us and thought ‘Oh, another little kids band. Great.’- but when we started playing we blew that room away! Hell ‘n’ Back went down a storm- the crowd loved it!

  Jack was energetic, bouncing around the stage. Iggy was the best guitarist of the evening. Ethan really stepped up, learning to play the bass line for Seven Nation Army in just six days (Ethan normally plays rhythm guitar, but volunteered to play bass because Tom couldn’t make the gig). I was surprised that my head stayed on my body with the amount of head-banging I did!

  While we were waiting round to play we watched the other bands. I really rated the Green Tambourines, Early Arrival and Soul Matters. We also got to hang out with some good-looking girls who were really into Voltage! Sick!

Voltage minus Tom

Jack  rocking the gig!

Iggy and Ethan

Me banging on drums with sticks!

 

Rehearsals

 Here are some pictures from last Sunday’s rehearsal ahead of our big gig in the Birmingham Town Hall.

Here's me looking gorgeous on my drum kit

We're having a break between songs: Me, Ethan, Jack and Iggy. Tom couldn't make it to the rehearsal.

Iggy and Ethan wailin' on their guitars

Iggy's dad giving us some top advice.

Voltage Rock!

  Voltage is a rock band from Solihull, England. We are all in Year 7 at Alderbrook School, and have been playing together for about two years. There are five of us in voltage: Me, Chuk, on drums; my best friend Iggy on lead guitar; Tom on bass guitar; Ethan playing rhythm guitar and Jack on vocals.

  We do a few cover versions but prefer to write our own material. We have written two songs already- “Head of Revenge” and “Hell ‘n’ Back”, and are working on our third. Our style is rock and heavy metal.

  Last year we won an open talent competition called “Shirley’s Got Talent”. The first prize was a day in a recording studio, where we laid down three tracks, including a cover version of Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Sweet Home Alabama”.

  For the queen’s Jubilee weekend we had two gigs locally, where we rocked out despite the terrible weather. It was great to see our fans getting down to some serious rock despite the freezing rain.

  This week we have been rehearsing for a big gig at the Birmingham town hall as part of the National Rock and Pop Festival. Its amazing to think we will be rocking it out on the same stage that has hosted Queen, Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath and even the Beatles. We have a twelve-minute slot, and will be playing our own songs as well as our take on The White Stripes “Seven Nation Army”.

    Stick with this blog and you can follow the meteoric rise of Voltage, as they become the most important rock band on the planet.

  Well hopefully.