Exciting plans ahead for Teachers Pet Rock Show
Members of a popular tribute band – who recently had to make changes to their rehearsing sessions – have ambitious plans for the future.
Teachers Pet Rock Show UK, which was first formed in 2017 by leading front man, Kieran Pestridge is a tribute band to Jack Black and the hit musical TV series School of Rock.
Since first starting, Teachers Pet Rock Show have performed at various gigs in Stoke-on-Trent, Newcastle-under-Lyme – including at the Lymelight Festival, Wedgwood Cricket Club – and further afield. The band experienced a successful 2019 and had a full diary planned for 2020. But when the coronavirus struck plans were put on hold.
“We were looking really busy for 2020 and also had a tour planned,” said Kieran, who is also a Jack Black lookalike. “But due to circumstances beyond our control a lot of events were cancelled – understandably. A lot of the events we were due to perform at this year have been rescheduled for 2021 and all of the band members cannot wait for those. We have been keeping in touch almost daily, having online zoom jam sessions, having meetings online and also phoning each other regularly. Everyone in the band is so committed and we cannot wait to get back out there performing.”
Teachers Pet Rock Show has eight members in total, including Kieran and ages range from 12- 17. The members are: Jake white, aged 13 (Guitar) of Penkridge, Dan Walters, aged 15 (Drums) of Macclesfield and Dan Leese, aged 13 (Keyboard), Elle Bailey aged 13 (Vocals), Lucas Staton aged 14 (Guitar), Joe Mellor aged 16 (Bass) and Olivi Bailey aged 17 (Vocals), all from Stoke-on-Trent.
Usually the band would take part in rehearsals at Gordon Lee’s, Subsound in Penkhull – which is temporarily closed due to the pandemic and Dean Fradley of Newcastle-under-Lyme “Rhythm Foundry” music school has also been very supportive of the band from the day one of Keiran forming Teachers Pet three years ago.
Teachers pet also receive a lot of support from local venues Jollees Cabaret venue in Stoke and Wedgwood Cricket Club in Barlaston.
Kieran said: “We have had so much support already and we cannot wait to see them all again. Rehearsals will continue once it’s safe to do so, and we have measures in place such as hand gel stations, air purifiers, also we have switched to a lot of wireless instruments to prevent the cross contamination’s of members handling equipment whilst at rehearsal but can also social distance without cables everywhere.”
Kieran adds: “It’s so important to receive the right support when you are in a band. We all work really hard and although it’s been difficult to maintain proper rehearsals in the past few months – all of our members have been doing their very best. We have also been introducing new songs from Van Halen, Queen and Led Zeeplin.”
In recent months Kieran has been busy contacting various event hosts about upcoming shows. Rescheduled gigs include the Tributes on the Hill Festival, which is one of the UK’s largest tribute festivals based at Frodsham, in Cheshire, and three dates at the Stafford Gate House supporting “The Real Full Monty” Show – which is to raise money for four local charities. There are also plans to perform at two Volkswagen Festivals too, Dubs in the Middle Show in Derbyshire.
“We will soon be back performing in the outdoors again,” says Kieran. “First and foremost, it’s important that everyone is safe and we understand that. We will continue to do what we are doing to make sure we are all ready to perform again soon and we would just like to thank everyone who has supported us over the last few years, everyone who has come and watched us play at gigs and everyone who follow us on our Facebook page too – it all means a lot to us all.
“We have big plans for the future and we are really excited about it.”
You can follow Teachers Pet Rock on Facebook and here www.teacherspetrockshow.com