WITH the academic year about to resume, I’m going to make the month of September a school bands special. I’d like to start with Llanfyllin High School sixth form band Aftershock.
The band, who originally started out as Idiom formed several years ago and as the years have progressed they have continuously improved their infectiously likeable sound, as well as their captivating stage performances!
To begin with Aftershock started to play to about 50 students in the school theatre on a Friday lunch time, however as their reputation grew, so did their fan base, and it wasn’t long before they were attracting hundreds at the school charity concerts.
Their enthusiasm, passion, and at times comical moments were show stealers and always memorable.
Aftershock is made up of vocalist Oli Ferguson, drummer Alastair ‘Big Al’ Owen, guitarists Luke Edwards and Tom Asquith and bassist Rob Bungay. They were recently crowned the winners of the summer time Mickstock Festival which was held in memory of the greatly missed Mr M Flanagan.
This achievement, which meant they won the Battle of the Bands competition, has now opened the opportunity for them to record demos in a local recording studio.
However this year alone, they have recorded a four-track demo in the town (Llanfyllin) studio. Granted, the demo could have been finished a little more professionally, but when you consider the band are still juggling between A Levels, and rehearsals you will appreciate how much potential Aftershock really have.
When I first heard their EP, I was very impressed, because they have thoughtful lyrics, thanks to Oli, in fact I was lucky enough to see his lyrics writing book and it really does give you an insight as to how much effort is pumped into this band, which was once probably just created as a bit of fun.
The guitars are smooth yet retain that edgy rock sound! One of the most fascinating aspects of Aftershock’s live performance is watching Big Al thrash the drums and the intensity that the band hold when performing.
I distantly remember talking to guitarist Luke Edwards, and discovering how much they loved performing, and how quickly time passed when they were up on stage.
To me, that is very important for a band, the concept that they are in the group purely for the sake to make top notch music that somehow will touch the lives of others.
So where can you check out Aftershock?
Well 2010 and most certainly 2011 will be a very busy year for the boys. It probably won’t be long before you will see them supporting some local bands, if not having several headlining shows for themselves.
However, whatever you do, make sure you see them, because very soon they are going to be the talk of the county!
They are delightfully refreshing yet manage to maintain a stereotypical rock sound. Aftershock are overflowing with an energetic buzz and a close knit friendship within the group making their chances for success even more enviable.
Honestly, it really is a treat to witness their live act, even if it’s just to see their random costumes which are usually worn on charity events, it’s time well spent.
I wholeheartedly believe that Aftershock will go far; would it be an understatement to say they are a younger version of Welshpool’s Colour Sunday? Probably not. You can check them out on Facebook www.Facebook.com/pages/AfterShock or on Myspace at www.Myspace.com/theaftershock10 however to really discover their talent, I’d recommend checking them out live.
For more information on when Aftershock are playing head over to their Myspace.