Wed 8 Jun 2011
Chickstock 2011 Review - Part Two
As Chaos Falls took the stage; well they don’t actually all fit on the small stage. It took them a fair bit of time to set themselves up, even having to ask around for a spare lead. With five members they are the biggest band of the day, with Paul Thompson age 20 on guitar, 17 year old Kavanagh College students Nick Yeats on drums and Kyle Blanch on bass, 16 year old Aiden Grau from Bayfield supplying vocals and Andrew Clough age 17 on guitar. They list some of their influences as Antagonist, The Devil Wears Prada and Parkway Drive; even doing a cover by the latter band in their set. Due to the lack of space on the stage, Aiden had to position himself just in front of the stage and consequently spent a lot of time facing his fellow bandmates. Unfortunately they also went overtime because of the lengthy set up forcing the schedule behind.
Gunslinger started off well, encouraging the audience to get up and move around, there was also a plug for their EP which was on sale; rather professional for a young band. Alizarin Lizard were also obviously impressed as they asked Gunslinger for an EP trade. In the band are students from Otago Boys and Otago Girls; 16 year olds Nick Tipa on guitar and vocals, Zac Nicholls on guitar, Josh Nicholls aged 18 on drums and 17 year old Cassandra Holley on bass. They list some of their influences as Angus Young, Jeff Buckley and Jack White. These guys were one of the more established younger bands and have been together for just under a year. Their set was well organised and are definitely ones to watch in the future.
Idiot Prayer were the first veteran Dunedin band to take the stage and their performance left quite an impression on all in attendance. They played a set that crept into heads, dominated minds and put everyone into a “wow that was epic” trance. Between the lights and fog machine, no one remembered that it was actually mid-afternoon. The three-piece band had such a full sound that easily filled the Chicks Hotel. Rocking out to both soft and loud segments, Idiot Prayers stopped time for those under their spell.
Finally, we get to a band with female vocalists. Astro Children took the stage and played a softer set, a change in tempo for the performing bands so far. The members include 17 year olds Isaac Hickey from Otago Boys on drums, Millie Lovelock from St Hilda’s on guitar, vocals and bass and lastly 16 year old Steph Pratchett from Otago Girls also on guitar vocals and bass. They have a variety in their songs stemming from their composition method in which one of the girls will write a song and the others write their accompanying parts; and whoever writes sings. Some of their influences include; The White Stripes, Ramones and The Misfits. This 8 month old band performed a polished set with Millie and Steph making several instrument changes and even doing a sweet cover of Cage the Elephant’s ‘Ain’t No Rest for the Wicked.’ Mr Cool was up next kicking off their set with their song ‘Jeremy Kyle, It’s Been A While.” Playing a more metal, experimental sounding set they contrast with the previous act. This also 8 month old band is made up of all 17 year old students at Bayfield; Cameron Ryder on drums, David Jackson on lead guitar, Josh Hunter on vocals and guitar and on the bass is Cayden Ross.
Reviewed by Allyson Coff and Melissa Flett
Photos: Daniel Alexander
To be continued....
