The young rock stars of the future will showcase their talents at the next Soundcheck gig at the Villa Marina, Douglas, this Tuesday (9th February).
Soundcheck is run by the Department of Education’s Youth Service and has been up and running for 15 years.
It provides a forum for young musicians in school Years 9 and above to rehearse and receive tuition and encouragement from existing musicians and youth leaders.
The idea was the brainchild of Ken Callister, now the Department’s Senior Youth Officer, who set up a similar project in England with a youth worker who was an ex-roadie for Tom Petty.
Within a year of its formation in 1995, membership of Soundcheck stood at 120 and Pete Maggs, who ran the sessions, began producing a monthly newsletter.
In 1998, Soundcheck produced its first and only CD, with Dave McLean as the force behind the recording project. In 2000, when the project badly needed to raise money to buy instruments and equipment, a group of young people arranged for the pop group Cast to play at the Villa Marina Gardens during TT.
Thanks to the gig and the generosity of the Department of Tourism and Leisure in waiving fees, Soundcheck received a ?17,000 boost which has been used to buy and replace equipment and set up a permanent home for the project in Douglas Youth Centre’s basement.
Today, more than 30 young people meet at Douglas Youth Centre on Tuesdays from 6.30-9.30pm to play live music.
Youth and Community Worker Caroline Walter said, "Soundcheck also operates in Castletown Youth Centre on a Monday evening and both sessions will accept musicians from anywhere in the Island who are in school Year 9-plus.
"New members are welcome but must have basic skills in playing an instrument and a genuine interest in being part of a band.
"Soundcheck gives young people the space to get together to rehearse and perform and the encouragement to build on existing skills with support from musicians and youth workers."
Helping to run Soundcheck are Paul Tonks, Youth Worker, and Steven Breslin, Assistant Youth Worker, both of whom are musicians.
Past members of Soundcheck who have achieved success with music include the bands Twisted Angels, Stone Creation and The Lost Soldiers; others have gone on to study music at university.
Regular gigs such as next Tuesday’s, in the Promenade Suite, also generate income for Soundcheck.
Tickets for next Tuesday’s gig are ?2 in advance from Douglas Youth Centre or ?3 on the night and doors open at 7pm.
