As rain slipped steadily from the summer sky, I prepared to venture indoors to experience Milwaukee’s School of Rock Shorewood shred through two classics. I’ve been going to The Rave since the ‘90s and I’ve seen Weezer, The Flaming Lips and Bad Religion in this hallowed, some say haunted, hall. On Wednesday, June 18th, teens worldwide took the stage and rocked every bit as loud as the legends who preceded them.
Sure, they may have been shorter in height and experience than Rivers Cuomo, but the youthful rockers brought electric energy and excitement from all corners of the world. I was fortunate to speak with five young rockers on Wednesday: we talked about everything from influential rhythm guitarists, strolling Summerfest grounds, finding our musical home and if rocking out can save our planet.
It’s time to pick your Milwaukee favorites for the year!
School of Rock South America
Before my ears melted with School of Rock Shorewood, I met with young musicians from School of Rock Lima, Perú and School of Rock Nordelta, Argentina. I was lucky to catch two young musicians who made the long journey to Cream City for one reason: to Rock. Víctor, a drummer from School of Rock Lima, Perú, rocked a sweet sixties style vest and cool Dylan shades. Inspired by Kiss, he began drumming when he was four years old. Victor believes music is a vehicle to both self-discovery and community-building:
“You can feel safe playing Rock music. School of Rock is my second family. I can be myself. I can express myself as I want to be. My favorite decade of music is the ’80s. It is my musical home … Being a drummer is wonderful.”
Guitarist Guadalupe from School of Rock Nordelta, Argentina arrived in classic Argentina national football team (“La Albiceleste”) jersey and a commitment to 70s icons of British and American music.
“I’m inspired by Jimmy Page to practice everyday and get better day by day. I am into soul right now. I’m always in a Led Zeppelin phase. But now I also love Marvin Gaye.”
Both Victor and Guadalupe were eager to perform at Summerfest on June 19 and 20, and each admitted to enjoying the local hamburgers and fried chicken available in Milwaukee. They spoke joyfully of their experience meeting young musicians throughout the world as they shifted seamlessly among multilingual conversations in the steadily increasing rain. I thanked them for their time and hustled into The Rave to catch School of Rock Shorewood.
School of Rock Shorewood: Can Rocking Out Save the World?
The Rave held an ample and enthusiastic crowd of young musicians waiting their turn to rock and proud parents in Social Distortion tees, all enthralled by righteous blast cascading from the main stage. I was amazed at the assurance of the band, not to mention the Spinal Tap-esque peaks of raw noise (perhaps I am old, I heard myself think) as they tore confidently through “crushcrushcrush” by Paramore and Avril Lavigne’s “Sk8er Boi.” After the terrific two-song set, I met with Morgan Evans, School of Rock Shorewood’s General Manager, and three members of the band.
I spoke first with rhythm guitarist Cristiano. Cool as a cucumber on stage and building the musical bones for the group, Cristiano initially dug the drums and eventually slung on the guitar, a switch made after an instructor at School of Rock encouraged exploring multiple instruments. I asked what guitarist currently caught his ear and Cristiano said Cory Wong, “a funk artist that has a rhythm style that is pretty uncommon.”
We spoke about the need for harmony in a world divided by differences. Perhaps the rhythm guitarist gleaned grooved wisdom from building the middle of a song’s sound, for Cristiano’s insight was telling:
“Listening to music makes me happy and I know it can help other people, too. When I’m frustrated I play the drums and bash them as hard as I can sometimes.”
Give the world a pair of headphones and a drum set? You better, you better, you bet.
Next was Athena, guitarist and vocalist for the Shorewood School of Rock. Athena grew interested in the opportunity to play music together with peers after seeing School of Rock at a Pride Parade. Currently inspired by Sleater-Kinney’s Carrie Brownstein, Athena spoke hopefully of music’s power to bring people closer together and to challenge one’s self to evolve and grow.
“I’ve just gotten more and more into it [School of Rock] since then…it really helps to push yourself to do new things and meet new people. You can form different connections by putting yourself out there and being vulnerable.”
Athena was pleased to hear encouraging words from folks in the crowd, not just complimenting her strong guitar work, but also revealing some future-forward predictions.
“Twice in the last month, I heard from people after seeing our band perform that they have hope for this next generation. And I do think that it is really impactful.”.
If the future is now, look no further than the lead vocalist Maria, who just happens to be the younger sibling of the rhythm guitarist. Perhaps the shortest and spunkiest human I’ve seen and heard command the stage at the Rave, Maria’s motivation for singing is simple:
“I’ve been singing since I was four. I like singing and interacting with other people. I think when people go to concerts they talk to new people they’ve never met and start new relationships with people.”
Maria said she looked forward to performing at Summerfest on Thursday, June 19 and Friday, June 20 and also perusing the grounds for food, fun and sun. Maria’s favorite band is “probably” Paramore, and judging by the vocals on stage at The Rave, Maria will be singing to the rafters for years to come.
Finally, as the rain chased us into a pop-up tent on the north side of the Rave’s extended block-party style area, I met with Morgan Evans, General Manager of School of Rock Shorewood. Morgan was a teacher before connecting with School of Rock. Bridging together education and music was a natural move for her.
“I love music, I was a teacher, and combining those interests was a cool prospect. I love watching kids grow musically and also become more confident as they progress through the program. I wouldn’t trade this job for the world. The mission of School of Rock really resonated with me.”
I asked Morgan what role Rock can play in improving our society.
“We not only teach kids music, we want to teach them how to rock on stage and in life. Part of rocking in life is living out positive values, one of which is: Music is the great uniter. There is a lot of division in this world, it’s nice that we can come together and enjoy some Rock and Roll. Everyone’s from different backgrounds and different walks of life but we’re all here for the same reason: to Rock out.”
Amen.
