@Normal:Bring it on! The boys from Syndrome, from left: Daniel Waddingham, Shane Chidgey, Leed Anderson-Wesolowski and Harley Farrugia. 66171 Picture: Stewart Chambers
By Kog Ravindran
CARDINIA’S finest young bands will fight it out at this year’s FreeZA Pushstart Battle of the Bands at Pakenham Hall on 5 August.
Among the acts battling it out will be thrash groove metal band Syndrome.
Not for the faint-hearted, the boys have warned their competition to “watch out”.
Lead singer Harley Farrugia said the group had high hopes for their performance in a couple of months.
“We want to win it. We set our expectations high or else there’s no point of doing it,” he said.
While the boys have only been together for a few months, guitarist Shane Chidgey said they were very happy with the music they had created so far. “When we played together for the first time, there was definitely a chemistry,” he said. “Everyone brings in song ideas and we work on them together. It usually starts with a guitar riff.”
While Shane and drummer Leed Anderson-Wesolowski have known each other for several years, the rest of the band came together unconventionally.
Guitarist Daniel Waddingham responded to a Facebook status from Leed asking people if they were interested in starting a new band.
After watching a clip of Daniel playing on YouTube, he was asked to join. “I saw him shredding his guitar in this video and thought I want him in the band.” he said.
Front man Harley first sang with the band when he joined his friend who was originally auditioning to be the band’s singer.
After hearing the group play he decided he would audition.
What followed was the birth of Syndrome.
Youth service officer at the Cardinia Shire Council Kaylie Sinnbeck said that young bands thinking about entering the competition would be crazy to pass up the opportunity.
Overall winners receive a recording contract and a slot at the annual Pushover Music Festival.
Previous winners British India and The Vasco Era have gone on to establish successful careers in the Australian music scene.
“It’s a great opportunity to perform in front of a panel of judges and receive constructive criticism,” she said “
A lot of young bands don’t get the chance to perform in front of big crowds, so this provides them with great exposure.”
The alcohol, drug and smoke free event is open to all musicians between the ages of 14-21, but applications must be submitted before 8 July.
Organisers are expecting between 300 and 400 people to watch the eight bands chosen to perform on the night.
For details call Kaylie Sinnbeck 5694 4319 or visit the Cardinia website at www.cardinia.vic.gov.au.
