aROCKalypse rocks!
What do you get when you take seven extremely talented musicians and put them together to form one band? You get aROCKalypse, an East London group that have already performed twice at the Alexander Playhouse with their show of the same name, to great acclaim.
With the focus on musicians who were influential in the development of rock since the 1960’s, aROCKalypse performs classic songs but with an edge, making them their own in every way.
aROCKalypse is comprised of Jonathan Buitendag (vocals), Jo Stemmet (piano, backing vocals), Steve Heger (guitar), Marcel Corson (vocals), Byron Kreusch (bass), Johan van Loggerenberg (guitar) and Jaryd Cusens (drums) and was formed by Jo in October 2013.
Jo, a music teacher at Selborne College, originally came up with the concept and the name, using a play on words with apocalypse and rock. Passionate about rock music, Jo says that although playing this type of music poses many challenges, she’s thankful that she went on her gut feeling when toying around with the idea initially.
Rock music wasn’t always Jo’s preferred music genre however and she admits that as a young girl she would listen to more mainstream pop music, including American boy band The Backstreet Boys. This was, however, short-lived because a good friend of hers (who was into much heavier stuff), decided that the only thing a Backstreet Boys CD was good for was playing frisbee! This tactic clearly worked because Jo developed such a passion for rock music that she is currently doing a research proposal on Heavy Metal and Rock Music for her masters degree.
For Jonathan, an Economics and Accounting teacher at Cambridge High School, aROCKalypse was a huge challenge but one which he accepted gladly. Having grown up with his roots firmly in country and folk music, Jonathan later started listening to more alternative and grunge music and for the past few years he has been part of the Praise & Worship band at Everyday People (formerly Greenfields Christian Church). Pushed out of his comfort zone, the aROCKalypse project excited Jonathan and he is happy to be a part of it.
As members of DRAMSOC, the band had all worked with one another previously, in cabarets and shows such as Hairspray and Grease at The Alexander Playhouse. Last year, instead of the Playhouse’s usual cabaret held in December, it was decided that they would stage aROCKalypse in November. In February of this year, the second aROCKalypse show was staged instead of the regular Valentines show, with both shows performed under the DRAMSOC banner with revenues going towards the maintenance of the theatre.
Performing to packed out audiences, aROCKalypse staged fantastic and energetic shows with their own rendition of classics from artists such as KISS, AC/DC, Led Zeppelin, Guns N’ Roses and The Who. Despite some of the songs being incredibly challenging for them, they can be proud that with the addition of their unique flair, the end result is awesome.
So, with Jonathan and Jo both being teachers, what exactly do their students make of them being rock stars in their spare time?? Jo says that her students have been to see the show before and absolutely loved it but Jonathan’s haven’t yet seen him up there on stage, belting out the rock classics, although they have seen photographs…. and I think they are probably still trying to make the connection between Mr Buitendag the teacher and Jonathan the rock star!
The next aROCKalypse show is set for September/October this year and this time around there will be a bit of 90’s rock/grunge thrown in too, with tracks by artists such as Nirvana, Smashing Pumpkins and Pearl Jam on the cards.
What you can expect from the show is around twenty-five brilliant, carefully selected songs, performed by top-class musicians in a two and a half hour set. Complete with an amazing set, lighting and sound, this is one show you do not want to miss.
The band would love, and fully deserve to, have a large following in East London and then perhaps take the show on tour around the country. This can only happen, of course, if we all show our support for the band and recognise the talent that each band member holds. So, East London, let’s support homegrown talent and make sure we book our tickets for the next fantastic aROCKalypse show and brilliant musical tribute to some of the greatest rock bands of all time!