Thursday, February 7, 2008

Talk about declining standards in RTE...

Do they not have proof readers or something similar in RTE? Maybe even a spell check function on their computers?

Here's an email I received the other day about yet another Battle of the Bands competition. I haven't yet mastered the necessary technological standards to scan it and put it up real fancy like, so this cut 'n' paste job will have to do. Hopefully the bad spelling, atrocious grammar, and general air of bullshit will prevail. Sadly, the wide variety of fonts used in the original email won't come through. I'm also sad to say that the completely random use of capital letters throughout the email also won't be best illustrated by my declining standards in computer literacy.

I was also pleased to note that like every Battle of the Bands competition held in Ireland over the past 2 years, this one also features a token member of the Hot Press staff and Ken Allen.

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Hello there,

I am the co-ordinator of this exciting new project for secondary school bands for RTE 2fm and I would really appreciate you giving us some coverage in the next edition of the paper. Please let me know if you would like any more information and I'll be happy to help,
Thanks very much and Kind Regards,
Helen Cullen

RTÉ Music



RTE 2FM SCHOOL OF ROCK LOOK FOR LEINSTER BANDS



RTÉ 2fm’s Ruth Scott will revealed details of the RTÉ 2fm School of Rock – Battle of the Bands competition for secondary school students last Saturday on RTÉ 2fm’s The Saturday Show between 12pm and 3pm.



RTÉ 2fm’s School of Rock is inviting bands to send in demos for consideration. Five bands will be chosen to compete at five regional heats, ( Ulster, Leinster, Munster, Connacht and Dublin Heats)The judges will then choose one band from each heat to go forward to the final.



The School of Rock judges for the regional heats include; Cormac Battle of RTÉ 2fm, Ken Allen of Faction Records and musician Mark Greaney of Concerto for Constantine (formerly of JJ72). For the live final, the panel will be expanded to include Chairperson Larry Gogan, Stuart Clark of Hot Press, Noel Mc Hale from MCD, Emma Harney of Entertainment Architects, a representative from Walton’s music.



Speaking at the launch Cormac Battle said:

“It gives me great pleasure to be a School of Rock in this competition because I have been one of those soldiers trying to get on the first rung of the ladder and it ain’t easy. So to see some bands going for it will be great and as it’s a top competition they will be firing on all cylinders….may the best band win”



Mark Greaney agreed:

“I was extremely fortunate when someone from a large label signed the band I was in while I was still in school, but I know that that was an exception to the norm. That’s’ why, I am delighted to have the opportunity to take part in something which will hopefully change the norm, to make it easier for young inventiveness and flair to grow in the light. I’ve experienced some amazing things since my first steps into the world of rock, and I hope we can, at the very least, set a young band on a path to similar experiences. Let the eavesdropping on hidden genius commence!”



The winner of the RTÉ 2fm School of Rock will win:

- €5,000 gift voucher for Walton’s Music Shops

- 5 days recording time in Pulse Recording Studios

- An interview with Hot Press magazine

- A support slot at an upcoming MCD music event

- A photo shoot with music photographer Enda Casey

- A Pure Marshall DAB Digital radio for each band member

- An award for their school



In addition to this, the four runner-up bands at the live final will receive a €500 voucher for Walton’s Music Shops.



All the regional heats are All-Ages gigs and tickets are available for free from the RTÉ 2fm website. A special guest from previous RTÉ 2fm 2moro 2ours will perform at each of the regional heats while the judges are adjudicating. The final will be broadcast live on RTÉ 2fm at 8pm on 5 April with presenters Ruth Scott and Dan Hegarty







The Leinster Regional Final Heat will be held onSaturday 29th March in The Stables, Mullingar from 3-7pm with special guests The Flaws



On Saturday 5th April there will be a Live final from Studio 1- Broadcast live RTÉ 2fm with special guests Messiah J and The Expert.



The closing date for applications is Monday 25 February. Application forms and the full list of rules and regulations are available from this Saturday on the RTÉ 2fm website. www.rte.ie/2fm/schoolofrock . For futher info please email schoolofrock@rte.ie





*Please find attached two photos from the School of Rock Launch featuring Ruth Scott, Cormac Battle and Mark Greaney*



---Ends---



Notes to Editor:



Cormac Battle: Ex-Kerbdog and Wilt front-man Cormac Battle presents RTÉ 2fm's alternative music programme, The Wireless, every Sunday from 8-11pm.

Cormac, a native of Kilkenny, has been directly involved in the frontline of Irish music for over five years and is a keen fan of music from many genres. Aimed at the discerning music fan, the late night show will feature new and alternative music from the hottest acts around as well as the RTÉ 2fm sessions, live recordings, band interviews and a lot more.



Mark Greaney: Mark Greaney formed his band JJ72 when he was 16 while still in secondary school. This band released hit singles from two albums between2000-2003; the albums went on to sell in excess of 650,000 copies. During these years JJ72 toured across the planet and performed with musical luminaries such as Coldplay and U2. The band split in 2006. In August 2007 he embarked on the second phase of his musical journey, forming Concerto for Constantine with Gavin Fox and the infamous Binzer. Concerto for Constantine performed on the RTÉ 2fm 2moro 2our in November 2007 and wowed audiences throughout the country. The band has since been confirmed to support the Smashing Pumpkins for their Dublin and Belfast dates at the beginning of February.



Ken Allen: Ken Allen runs Faction Records, an independent record label from Dublin. He is also the a/r man for The Blizzards and co manages Irish band, Director. He will be releasing the ‘Faction Two Compilation’ of the best of new Irish acts in March. ‘Faction One’ was released in 2005 and featured early releases from acts such as Director, The Blizzards and The Immediate.




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