Post by PitYak Studios on Apr 3, 2008 10:19:04 GMT 12
Nothing to do with modelling, but I went to round one of the Wellington Guitar Wars comp last night.
After two unplanned nights out in a row I was ready for a quiet one, but Steveos turned up and reminded me about this. "Ahh why not" I thought. It was at Flashies in the Hutt, and I was a bit reticent about going since I got thrown out last time I was there (literally – not “asked to leave” or anything like, physically thrown out) but I sneaked in anyway, somehow managing to avoid paying the $5 entry fee (which was fair enough – I’d gone mainly for the free barbeque that was advertised but never transpired!)
Steveos’ young mate Edwin was there (with his mam) and he was rumoured to be very good. There were four other contestants lined up for the night, and after the house band played a spot the contest was underway. First up was Mark form the Hutt, playing some classic style 70’s guitar hero stuff to a backing track. He was excellent, and a good start to the night. His guitar’s worth $10000 apparently, I don’t know anything about guitars but it looked cool.
Next up was Edwin, playing an original piece again to a backing track. He was awesome. A bit of showman without being cocky, at one point I looked around the bar and everyone was sitting staring open mouthed at the stage. He was the only contestant to get calls for an encore after his spot, and was clearly looking like a good bet for the win.
After this details get a bit sketchy, as you can’t really sit in a pub (or “party bar” as Flashies style themselves, whatever that may mean) without lubricating. Contestant number three spent his time jamming unaccompanied, and while he was clearly a billion times better than I could ever be, his lack of backing seemed to disadvantage him. Still, excellent spot, and a lot of nerve getting up like that.
Number four played with a full band back up, and was very polished and slick, playing a softer rock number. The full band made it one of the most professional sounding performances, but probably took some of the spotlight away from the contestant himself..
Last up was a guy who to my limited knowledge was technically very competent, but perhaps lacking in that “x-factor”. He played three numbers, the first one good, the second less so, and the third better, but spent a lot of time between numbers fiddling around and the getting the sound man to adjust whatever it is they adjust.
Edwin was clearly the winner, and the number two slot was a toss up between Mark and the last guy. Mark got my vote (not that us audience where actually allowed to vote), but the other fella got the judges’ nod.
All round it was a good night, sponsored and organised by the Hutt Rockshop. They admitted early on it was a bit of a try out, and weren’t sure how it was going to turn out, but I reckon it was a big success. The two winners, along with the two winners from the next rounds go through to a final next month. Personally I’m waiting for Edwin to become famous so I can tell people I saw him perform in his formative years. His mam videoed the show, and he’ll be posting it on YouTube if you want to try and find it.
After two unplanned nights out in a row I was ready for a quiet one, but Steveos turned up and reminded me about this. "Ahh why not" I thought. It was at Flashies in the Hutt, and I was a bit reticent about going since I got thrown out last time I was there (literally – not “asked to leave” or anything like, physically thrown out) but I sneaked in anyway, somehow managing to avoid paying the $5 entry fee (which was fair enough – I’d gone mainly for the free barbeque that was advertised but never transpired!)
Steveos’ young mate Edwin was there (with his mam) and he was rumoured to be very good. There were four other contestants lined up for the night, and after the house band played a spot the contest was underway. First up was Mark form the Hutt, playing some classic style 70’s guitar hero stuff to a backing track. He was excellent, and a good start to the night. His guitar’s worth $10000 apparently, I don’t know anything about guitars but it looked cool.
Next up was Edwin, playing an original piece again to a backing track. He was awesome. A bit of showman without being cocky, at one point I looked around the bar and everyone was sitting staring open mouthed at the stage. He was the only contestant to get calls for an encore after his spot, and was clearly looking like a good bet for the win.
After this details get a bit sketchy, as you can’t really sit in a pub (or “party bar” as Flashies style themselves, whatever that may mean) without lubricating. Contestant number three spent his time jamming unaccompanied, and while he was clearly a billion times better than I could ever be, his lack of backing seemed to disadvantage him. Still, excellent spot, and a lot of nerve getting up like that.
Number four played with a full band back up, and was very polished and slick, playing a softer rock number. The full band made it one of the most professional sounding performances, but probably took some of the spotlight away from the contestant himself..
Last up was a guy who to my limited knowledge was technically very competent, but perhaps lacking in that “x-factor”. He played three numbers, the first one good, the second less so, and the third better, but spent a lot of time between numbers fiddling around and the getting the sound man to adjust whatever it is they adjust.
Edwin was clearly the winner, and the number two slot was a toss up between Mark and the last guy. Mark got my vote (not that us audience where actually allowed to vote), but the other fella got the judges’ nod.
All round it was a good night, sponsored and organised by the Hutt Rockshop. They admitted early on it was a bit of a try out, and weren’t sure how it was going to turn out, but I reckon it was a big success. The two winners, along with the two winners from the next rounds go through to a final next month. Personally I’m waiting for Edwin to become famous so I can tell people I saw him perform in his formative years. His mam videoed the show, and he’ll be posting it on YouTube if you want to try and find it.