Geelong’s next generation of rockstars will get their jam on at the Royal Geelong Show.
Eight-piece band the Night Howlers will strut their stuff on Friday afternoon at the showgrounds’ Motor Pavilion, delivering a set of rock and pop classics both old and new.
The band is composed of year six students from Grovedale’s Nazareth Catholic Primary School, which offers a rock band program run by arts teacher Cam Plapp.
Mr Plapp mentors five rock bands playing a range of styles and made up of students from years four to six.
He was inspired to start the program five years ago after seeing students perform at the school’s talent quest.
“We had these kids get up on guitar and smash out Metallica, things like that, and we were just blown away,” Mr Plapp said.
“And I thought, we’re almost doing these kids an injustice if we don’t embrace the opportunity to do something about it.”
The school’s bands regularly perform at local shopping centres, markets, events like the show, competitions and on local radio.
The Night Howlers will soon be heading into Geelong’s Don’t Poke the Bear recording studio, giving the students experience recording in a professional setting.
“The kids are pretty committed, they absolutely love it… I love it just much as they do,” Mr Plapp said.
“It’s a pretty special program, so I feel lucky and proud to be able to do it.”
