Rock School soundtrack

So in spite of glowing reviews from critics all across America, Rock School the documentary is not exactly bringing in major box office dollars and will probably not be in theaters much longer. This is really too bad and I have no explanation for what's occurred at all. It's a wonderful documentary..oh wait...it's a documentary, not a zillion dollar Hollywood blockbuster starring blank eyed anorexic young flavors of the month with trillions of dollars of publicity behind it. Silly me. But the good news is that my friends overseas tell me they've seen advertisements for its release in the UK and Australia so maybe the film will be like Jimi Hendrix (ha)....it needs to leave America to earn its respect and fame.

In any event, it will be out sooner than later on DVD and on T.V., and the DVD will include extra footage of the kids in the studio back in December/January of this year recording the soundtrack. You'll be able to see what the kids look like post-puberty (Rock School was filmed two years ago, which is like twenty years in teen life).

Speaking of the recording studio, what's really a shame is that the soundtrack CD is feeling the effects of the documentary, meaning, because the film isn't getting a large audience, you can't even find said CD in most stores. This is tragic because the kids put incredible effort into this project and it includes some amazing, amazing tracks. So I'm going to post some reviews I've found on line and at the bottom of this post, I'll put a link or two as to where you can purchase the CD as well.

This one appeared in www.allmusic.com, which is the definitive source for music on the web:

Review by Rob Theakston

In 2003 comedian Jack Black starred in School Of Rock, a comedy about a teacher who takes a pack of upper crust private school kids and turns them into a rock band. This idea was loosely inspired by the Paul Green School of Rock Music, whose sole simplistic mission is to teach future generations the fundamentals of rock and roll from the legends themselves. In 2005, a documentary aptly entitled "Rock School" focused on Green's academy and its faculty, a veritable who's who of classic rock and roll. This soundtrack features the students performing their 'professors', covering their finest moments in a different light. Faculty emeritus Billy Idol, Alice Cooper, Ann Wilson, Greg Rolie, Dave Mustaine and Stewart Copeland are among the teachers here, and the students are more than up to the task of doing each song justice. It's not as cheeky as Langely Schools Project, so those looking for something along those lines will be sorely disappointed here. This is full unabashed rock done by passionate students with equally passionate teachers hoping to pass the torch to a future generation the true definition of rock and roll.
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This one appears at www.seaoftranquility.org:

Various Artists: Rock School-Music From and Inspired By the Original Motion Picture

The Paul Green School of Rock Music - not to be confused with the Jack Black School of Rock movie - was founded in Philadelphia in 1998 “to help advance the art of Rock by connecting the future generation to the rich history that has come before them,” according to the school's namesake. That's why Green called on such rockers as Alice Cooper, Jon Anderson from Yes, Dave Mustaine, The Police's Steward Copeland, Heart's Ann Wilson, Billy Idol, Marky Ramone, Gregg Rolie from Santana and Journey, and Deep Purple's Ian Gillan to help teach at the School of Rock. Filmmaker Don Argott thought the concept was so cool that he even made a documentary about it and called it Rock School (opening this month in select theaters around the United States).

Lo and behold, this is Rock School's soundtrack, which features recordings of classic rock songs performed by the actual student-musicians who appear in the film, with their singing heroes. For example, Mustaine sings “Peace Sells” backed by a pair of guitarists named Dan Nitz and Louis Graff, a bassist named Julie Slick, and a drummer who goes by BK. Gillan does a raw but effective run-through of “Highway Star” with guitarists Phillip Kingsford and Jeremy Blessing, bassist Peter White and drummer Joseph Randazzo III. Pay attention: Those names could grace the credits of future metal albums.

In addition to playing with hotshot rockers, a handful of students also get the opportunity to take the mic themselves. Chuck Flavor makes for a creepily real-sounding Jim Morrison on “L.A. Woman,” while Madi Diaz could front an all-female Police tribute band after her performance with Stewart Copeland on “Don't Stand So Close To Me.” Classics that you've heard all your life also get a little reworking, especially Heart's “Barracuda” and Santana's “Black Magic Woman.” The biggest surprise, though, is Jon Anderson's appearance on Yes' “Heart of the Sunrise.” I'm not sure why that's a surprise, but trust me - it is.

Sure, this album could be considered one of those lame “classics reworked” records or even a glorified tribute disc. But in an era when public schools are eliminating music programs to cut costs, Paul Green emerges as a hero, a staunch believer in both the power of music and the power of the people who make music. Plus, any program with the tagline “Teaching kids the basics: power chords, head banging & being a rock star” deserves all the kudos it can get.

Track Listing:
1) Black Magic Woman
2) I Want to Be Sedated
3) School's Out
4) Barracuda
5) Highway Star
6) L.A. Woman
7) Heart of the Sunrise
8) Rebel Yell
9) Don't Stand So Close To Me
10) Iron Man
11) Peace Sells
12) Hocus Pocus

Added: June 1st 2005
Reviewer: Michael Popke
Score:
Related Link: Official Rock School Web Site
Hits: 72
Language: english
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And finally, the next three appear at www.amazon.com. We've been trying to verify the authenticity of one of these reviews (you'll be able to figure out very quickly the review to which I refer) but even if we can't verify it, it is still a mind blowing remark about the kids and their talent:

All Customer Reviews
Average Customer Review: 5 out of 5 stars

5 out of 5 stars THE PAST,PRESENT AND FUTURE OF ROCK MUSIC!!!!, June 1, 2005

Reviewer: LOYAL FAN
THE PAUL GREEN SCHOOL OF ROCK MUSIC IS A MUSIC SCHOOL WHERE THE KIDS ARE TRAINED IN CLASSIC ROCK THEN PERFORM CONCERTS TO GAIN EXPERIENCE. THIS ALBUM SHOWCASES THE HARD WORK AND TALENT OF THE KIDS. THE KIDS PERFORM WITH SOME OF ROCK'S BIGGEST NAMES SUCH AS ALICE COOPER AND BILLY IDOL. THE HIGHLIGHTS OF THE ALBUM ARE THE SONGS WHERE THE KIDS TAKE CENTER STAGE AND PERFORM ALL THE VOCALS AND INSTRUMENTS THEMSELVES. THE GREAT VERSIONS OF L.A. WOMAN AND IRON MAN ARE SUNG BY CHUCK FLAVOR,WHICH IS A STAGE NAME OF DOMENIC MALANDRO,ARE EXAMPLES OF THE TALENT POSSESSED BY THE ROCK SCHOOL KIDS. ENJOY YOUR FAVORITE CLASSICS IN A NEW WAY AS THE FUTURE OF ROCK IS SECURE!!!!!
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5 out of 5 stars These are kids?, June 1, 2005

Reviewer: Mark Stevens (New York)
I had heard a buzz about this CD and since it contains some of my favorite classic rock performers, I bought it yesterday.

Can I tell you that the kids are better than the "stars"?

Track one - Black Magic Woman - is incredible. Besides the incredible Santana-like guitar work of C.J. Tywoniak, it contains some of the best drumming I've ever heard anywhere by Rock School student Eric Slick. The steady bass of Matt Rothstein and keyboards of Steve Roberts make this track just about perfect.

Track two - I Wanna Be Sedated. I dunno, I'm a Ramones fan and I think these kids have Johnny smiling up in heaven.

Track three - School's Out. These are kids? Sounds just like the original, but better.

Track four - Barracuda. Now this is the keeper of the album. Who is Louis Graff and why haven't we heard of him? He rules! Jalea Cooner? Another guitar god! Amazing! I see Eric Slick on drums again. This kid is going to be a major star, and there's a Julie Slick on bass who is equally wonderful. Sister/brother act? Watch out White Stripes!

Track five - Highway Star. Two kids named Jeremy Blessing and Phillip Kingsford on guitar will rock your world. Nice bass work by Peter White and drummer Joseph Randazzo, III holds it together nicely.

Track six: Holy moly, Jim Morrison back from the dead? Chuck Flavor is his reincarnate!

Track seven: Okay, my all time favorite on the CD. Louis Graff and the Slick Kids again with Allie Hauptman on keyboards. Jon Anderson must have thought he died and went to heaven. These kids can stand up to Steve Howe and company any day.

Track 8 - Rebel Yell. Can't tell it from the original. That kid Slick on drums again. CJ Tywoniak and Madison Flego on guitars. They rule! Matt Rothstein of Black Magic Woman on bass. Amazing.

Remaining tracks: Don't Stand So Close to Me, Iron Man, Peace Sells, and Hocus Pocus. All better than the original. For sure.

So. Remember these names: Louis Graff. C.J. Tywoniak. Eric Slick. Julie Slick. Matt Rothstein. Madison Flego. Chuck Flavor. Jalea Cooner. They're all gonna be famous.
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5 out of 5 stars Smashing! June 3, 2005

Reviewer: Charlie W. (UK)

This is my first Amazon review and I only ventured onto the site to see if others had anything to say about this CD. I am doing it as a favour to the wonderful group I saw perform at CBGB's Wednesday night. I did not see the movie but was invited by my mates to the after party and bought the CD solely based on the music I heard. I've been a drummer with what many say is the world's greatest rock and roll band for several decades and I have to tell you, any one of those kids could fill in for my mates in the band. I understand the little lad, C.J., is the star of the movie and he is just wonderful but for me, there were three heroes that night...the singer, Maddie, the bare chested lad Jeremy, and the drummer, Eric. Maddie has the voice of an old time rocker. No stony faced, spaced out monotones for her. She roared, she was the music. Jeremy Blessing (and is that a name!) is the stuff of the Mississippi Delta combined with Jimmy Page; in fact, I'd like Jimmy to see him live the next time he's in town. I intend to write to the School of Rock for his contact information. There was soul in every note and he owned the stage. But as a drummer, for me the main attraction was Eric Slick. This is a young lad who has obviously studied the masters. He has listened to people like Buddy Rich and Max Roach I am certain, and while I am loathe to say it, I believe he has also listened to me. This kid has no peers in terms of innovation; he has a deeply personal sound and approach. He had a fixed pulse on his cymbals as well as his bass drum; and while many of the young guitar lads would falter from time to time due to what I trust was a problem with the monitors, Mr. Slick never lost a beat and was the driving force that evening. He brought tears to this old man's eyes and he is another I intend to keep my eye on for future projects. He could fill my shoes any time.

I insist you people in the States buy this CD. Don't buy it for the old geezers; buy it for the kids and learn something from them.

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And here is where you can buy the CD and hear it for yourself!

www.amazon.com
DiscExpress
World Music
CD Universe
Overstock.com
Tower Records

Latest news...

Okay, here's the article on the shooting at tne North Star Bar last night - don't know how accurate this is:

Man, 20, is shot, wounded outside Fairmount club

By LEAH ZERBE

lmz120@temple.edu

A man was shot and critically wounded last night outside the North Star Bar, a popular music venue at 27th and Poplar streets in the Fairmount section.

Police said two men in their early 20s were seen running from the bar after the shooting at about 10 p.m. Police said the victim staggered back into the bar and was conscious while he waited for police to arrive.

Police arrived before an ambulance and the victim was taken to Hahnemann University Hospital in a patrol car. He was reported in critical but stable condition.

A police officer explained that cops feared he had a "sucking wound," a dangerous internal injury, and they didn't want to wait for an ambulance.

Witnesses said there had been no visible wound on the man, and no blood on the sidewalk.

Keith DeFeo, 33, manager of the bar, said that there had been some kind of altercation outside the nightspot but that he did not know the nature of it.

All he knew about it, he said, was that someone bumped someone else and it escalated from there.

Employees in the club indicated that the victim, who was not immediately identified, did some work in the bar but was not a full-time employee.

The club featured musical entertainment last night and stayed open after the shooting.
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So as I said, what a night. Great music, and a very strange and hopefully not too tragic ending.
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This is a crazy week for the kids (and me). Well, I'm the most nauseous; I have to go back to work today after missing all of last week with my bad back. What sucks the most about this is that it's a one woman office and if I'm not there, it's trouble. My biggest concern is that all of the files with which I work are huge accordian numbers, heavy and bulky, and I'm terrified of throwing my back out again. I think this is nature's way of telling me to throw in the towel after all these years. I'm tired, burnt out, and now I'm physically sick as well. I just want to write full time, but unfortunately, I have to figure out a way to maintain my high life style without money first. Ha.

But in Julie and Eric world, things are awesome. Right now they are both in New York City, about to appear on Channel 11 on the WB network to promote Rock School. They will do a song around 8:50; field some questions, then do another song, so if anyone reading this is in the NY area (and if you have a videotape and can send me a copy!), you can see these amazing musicians for yourself.

Thursday, Eric and a few other Rock School All-Stars will be in New York again to play a big party for Queer Eye for the Straight Guy. Apparently, Donald Trump will be there -- they are going to do a makeover of one of the Apprentice stars. Eric will probably be home god knows what time Friday morning; then he has a gig with Flamingo at the Fire in Philly, one of my favorite live venues here. Then, both Eric and Julie hop a plane at dawn the next day (Saturday) for L.A. where they will be playing Guitarmageddon (ha!) at the Wiltern at 7:00 p.m. that night. No hotel, they take a six hour flight back to Philly right after the show.

After that, Julie starts interning at Studio Four Records, Eric has a million gigs -- one of which is a very interesting private gig where he's going to drum for Steve Vai's keyboard player July 9 at the Lion's Den in New York; he has a lot more Flamingo gigs; then in mid July there are three concerts planned for Indre Studios as a warm up for the summer tour which I believe starts July 21 through August 2. Then they leave for Germany for the Zappa fest.

Oh god, I need a PDA for all of this.

Yeah, right.

So Eric Slick of Flamingo, Atlas et al play the North Star and the bouncer gets shot!

Eric, Joey Randazzo, and Teddi Tarnoff at the L.A. premiere of Rock School

Oh my god. Just got back from the North Star Bar where I heard an unbelievable set by War's End, my son's band, Flamingo...and then..when his dad went out for a cigarette break right before Atlas took the stage, he was told we were in a lock down...the bouncer...the guy who took our ticket money...got shot while my son was on stage playing.

They had us in said lock down; there were nine million police cars, every news station...arghhhh.....what a way to end an evening of unbelievably fantastic music.

I hope the guy's okay...I guess I'll be watching us all on the news in a few minutes.

But let me say this: All three bands are incredible. Each very different, each with amazing stage presence and musicianship...and I am so freaking proud to be associated with these kids. What really touched me were the parents who came out...whose kids aren't even in the three bands that played...Stevie Roberts' mom and dad, Joe and Kate; a lovely English woman whose name I can't remember but her young son was in Jesus Christ Superstar with Eric.

There's no jealousy, no competition between these three bands. They cheer each other on; when Haffie's guitar went out of tune during a Flamingo number, Jeremy (of Atlas) handed him his; in the meantime, Louie, who isn't in any of the three bands, tuned Haffie's guitar and jumped back on stage to hand it to him a few minutes later.

It's just a beautiful, beautiful thing to see (and hear!).

Again, I know I'm getting old with this, but I know who I have to thank for this, and I wish I could say it was me (ha), but it's not - it's Paul Green.

What an amazing night of music by his All-Stars out on their own.
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Holy crap - just watched the news. The bouncer is in critical condition, fighting for his life. Oh my god....

Rock School at the Ritz Five

Okay, the good news is that there were really great crowds at the Ritz Five in Philadelphia to see Rock School last night. But it wasn't a sell out, and we need to do that tonight and tomorrow. Here's a direct link to buy tickets on line in advance. You merely click on the time you want to see the movie and it'll take you right to the ticket office.

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Also, if you are in NY tonight, you can do a doubleheader. See the movie, then head over to the Knitting Factory to see three most excellent bands made up of students/graduates of the Paul Green School of Rock performing all original music.

The bands are:

(1) War's End - featuring Rock School great Joey Randazzo a/k/a Joey Reno
(2) Flamingo - featuring Julia Rainer, Eric Slick, Andrew Haff, Matt Manser, and Dan Nitz
(3) Atlas, featuring Jeremy Blessing, Dom Malandro, Brandon King, and Max DiMezza

This same trio will do a repeat performance tomorrow night at the North Star bar and you can get tickets here.

I wish I could make the NY gig tonight but the back still kills though I am going to do everything possible to make the movie tonight at the Ritz Five and the North Star gig.



Long live rock and all that...

Out of bed for Rock School!

Marky Ramone and the Collins kids at CBGBs following the NYC premiere of Rock School.

Even though I can't sit at this desk more than a few minutes due to my fucking bad back, I had to come downstairs and make this post.

You might have read or heard via a news wire that Newmarket had decided to pull Rock School from all theaters after just one weekend due to slow sales.

Not true. The news of Rock School's death is greatly exaggerated.

My son, Eric, is helping out Don Argott today, distributing flyers to see the movie. Don, who is of course the director and producer of Rock School, told Eric that while the film has been pulled from some venues, it is still playing in selected theaters around the country but everything...and I mean everything...hinges on how well it does in Philadelphia this weekend. Unfortunately, it will not be playing at either the Neshaminy AMC or Loews, NJ but has an exclusive area showing at the Ritz Five. This family personally has recruited every friend, neighbor, and relative we have to come out to the Ritz this weekend and I know of other Rock School families who are doing the same. We need to all pull together and make this happen -- this is such a great film and it's been given no real advertisements at all. It's got to happen by word of mouth via the crowd in Philly. And of course the Ritz is by far the coolest movie theater in the tri-state area.

I mean, look at what critics all over the country are saying about Rock School:

"Two thumbs up!"
- Ebert & Roeper

"Headbanger and headmaster Paul Green is the real deal."
- Kevin Maynord, USA Today

"Makes Jack Black…look positively unplugged."
- Manohla Dargis, New York Times

"Immensely Entertaining!"
- Carina Chocano, The Los Angeles Times

"In this day of dummying-down and coddling students, it's refreshing to see a teacher push his students to levels of accomplishment they didn't think was possible."
- Duane Byrge, Hollywood Reporter

"Irresistibly entertaining and full of unique character portraits."
- Robert Koehler, Variety

"It's funny and moving to see this eccentric nugget of boomer virtuosity played by a generation that has absolutely no idea how weird it was."
- Owen Gleiberman, Entertainment Weekly

*** (out of 4)
- Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

*** ½ (out of 4)
"Hilarious, inspired, frenzied"
- Allison Benedikt, Chicago Tribune

*** (out of 4)
"Ignore the ridiculous R rating. Mature children will enjoy this film and might be the perfect audience"
- James Verniere, Boston Globe

"Meet a pint size guitar prodigy, soccer moms 'without the soccer,' and international Zappa devotees - they're all here. And they all Rock. Invigorating!"
- Premiere Magazine

"Joyous and righteously entertaining. Rock School is required viewing"
- Lewis Beale, Film Journal International

"Love him or hate him, Paul Green is one of the best characters you will see in any film."
- Erik Childress, e-film critic

"Paul Green is so intense, he makes manic Jack Black look like a valium"
- Robert Philpot, Fort Worth Star-Telegram

"Plugged-in, and turned on."
- Ken Tucker, New York Magazine

"Highly Entertaining"
- Darren D'Addario, Time Out NY

"'Rock School' revels in moments of transcendent joy."
"'Rock School' celebrates music, family, hard work and yes, Paul Green."
- Jami Bernard, New York Daily News

"Deliciously Loud, Wildly Funny! Rock School is engrossing from its first shot to its final fade."
- Lisa Rose, NJ Star Ledger

"EXHILARATING"
"Raw and Funny"
- John Hartl, The Seattle Times

A-
- Sean Axmaker, Seattle Post Intelligencer

**** (out of 4)
"Revealingly entertaining and raucous"
- Scott Galupo, The Washington Times

"Hilarious and charming"
- Melissa Levine, San Francisco Weekly/East Bay Press

**** (out of 5)
- Peter Hatlaub, San Francisco Chronicle

*** (out of 4)
- Michael O' Sullivan, San Francisco Examiner

Newmarket Films, who isn't really Newmarket anymore but now called Picturehouse Films, is demanding a retraction of this false story about Rock School's demise and as soon as it appears on line, I will post it here.

But in the meantime...ouch...back to bed...

Another post by Eric Slick for ailing Robin Slick - A great review of our show in Seattle with Eddie Vedder and Ann Wilson!

IMPORTANT - ALTHOUGH I'VE PASTED LeANN'S REVIEW HERE, PLEASE CLICK ON THE LINK DIRECTLY BELOW AND GO STRAIGHT TO HER ARTICLE AS IT NOT ONLY CONTAINS SOME COOL PHOTOS, IT INCLUDES TWO MP3S OF THE SHOW WHEN ED JOINED THE ROCK SCHOOL KIDS! WE REALLY WANT TO THANK LEANN FOR A GREAT AND THOROUGH REVIEW. SHE'S AWESOME.

Two Feet Thick, Pearl Jam for the Impassioned Fan
by LeAnn Mercer

The event: "Rock School Jam"
When: Wednesday, May 27, 2005
Where: Neumo's, Seattle, WA
Why: Showcase for Rock School Jam, a 90 minute live concert in conjunction the documentary Rock School being shown at the Seattle International Film Festival.
Who: School of Rock Music performers: Teddi Tarnoff, Julia Rainer, Madison Flego, Julie Slick, Eric Slick, CJ Tywoniak, Louis Graff, Larry Allen, Bryan Purcell, Joe Randazzo. Special guest Eddie Vedder on a couple of songs.
Setlist: Black Magic Woman, Rebel Yell, City of Tiny Lites, Pigs, Radiohead, Barracuda, Eruption/You Really Got Me, White Lines, Heart of the Sunrise, I Wanna Be Sedated (featuring Eddie), Corduroy (featuring Eddie), Rock Lobster, Lose Yourself.

Santana. Billy Idol. Grandmaster Flash. Pearl Jam. What do these artists have in common? The kids from The Paul Green School of Rock Music can cover them all.

It's Wednesday night at one of Seattle's cornerstone music venues, Neumo's - formerly ARO.space, formerly Moe's Mo' Rockin' Cafe: the same place where Neil Young rocked with PJ as his backing band in 1995 and where Matt Cameron debuted as Pearl Jam's drummer in 1998. A group of students from the Philadelphia-based school took the stage to headline Rock School Jam, a concert affiliated with the Seattle International Film Festival. The live show accompanied a pair of screenings of Rock School, a documentary about classes held at the Paul Green School of Rock Music.

Opening with a cover of Santana's "Black Magic Woman," the band quickly shifted members, instruments, and tempo to follow with the Billy Idol anthem, "Rebel Yell." An abrupt style change brought "City of Tiny Lites" to life, showing the intricate fusion of rock, jazz and classical kitchen sink of Frank Zappa. While performances like these were proof enough of the group's collective and individual talents, their rock savvy was put to the test with guest appearances during the set by two of Seattle's Hall of Fame caliber rock royalty: Ann Wilson of Heart and Eddie Vedder. The hometown artists were warmly received by the sold-out, 21-and-over crowd, but it was the ten "underage" performers from Philly who stole the show. In an enthusiastic balance of talent and bravado, in groups of 5 or 6 at a time, the kids tore through songs that explored every genre of rock music, from Eminem to the B-52's. Siblings Julie and Eric Slick provided a tight, polished rhythm section on bass and drums (respectively) throughout the show. Louis Graff and virtuoso-in-training CJ Tywoniak (a crowd favorite) took turns handling lead guitar duties, with Tywoniak pulling off an exceptionally flawless rendition of Eddie Van Halen's "Eruption," before leading the band into "You Really Got Me," which also featured lead vocals by Madison Flego. Teddie Tarnoff proved to be an accomplished vocalist, turning out sultry performances well beyond her years, particularly on the Yes's song, "Heart of the Sunrise." Julia Rainer showed her considerable guitar and lead vocal abilities during a show-defining version of Pink Floyd's "Pigs," which included a scorching talk box guitar solo during the 10-plus minute song. Lanky Joe Randazzo strutted the stage during "White Lines," a Grandmaster Flash tune most likely written before anyone in this band drew their first breath of air.

Six songs deep into the evening, Paul Green - who spent the evening as the band's equipment tech, stage director, musical conductor, and emcee - introduced Ann Wilson, who joined the band for a hard edged, fast paced version of the Heart classic, "Barracuda." A few songs later, Green once again took the mic to present a man "as synonymous with Seattle as 'coffee'" Eddie Vedder of Pearl Jam. An appreciative audience member called out Ed as "the Bob Dylan of Seattle," and Ed mused that he'd recently seen Dylan live but realized the moniker was "meant as a compliment," stirring the crowd to a ripple of laughter. Ed's wardrobe choice of a Johnny Ramone T-shirt telegraphed the first collaborative effort of Ed and the rock school musicians, pounding through "I Wanna Be Sedated," in perfect three-chord strokes. Ed introduced the next song, mentioning that he said he wasn't going to play it, but was told in no uncertain terms that he was going to play it and play it better than he ever had before. Ed promptly led the band into a skillful performance of "Corduroy," to close the main set of the show. At the end of the song, Ed eagerly exchanged high fives and hugs with the musicians, and remained onstage for a somewhat subdued but solid cowbell performance during "Rock Lobster." Will Ferrell ain't got nothin' on him. Afterwards, Ed sprang offstage and all 10 members of the school assembled to perform Eminem's "Lose Yourself," to close out the evening.

On Thursday morning, after the show, a publicist representing the school of rock musicians described Ed as being "very generous" with the students, making himself available to them offstage as well as on. As they departed for their flight home, the rockers in training enthused that Wednesday night's show was "one of their best performances," which I believe would be echoed by every audience member in attendance.
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And a very cool review of the soundtrack posted today right here

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Just a reminder: GO SEE THE MOVIE! PHILLY PREMIERE THIS FRIDAY! YOU CAN CATCH IT AT THE RITZ BOURSE, NESHAMINY AMC, AND NJ LOEWS AS WELL AS ALL OVER NYC AND LA!

Great "Rock School" Review:

This one is posted by Eric Slick for Robin, while she suffers from serious back spasms:
LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - "So you wanna be a rock 'n' roll star," the Byrds once cheekily sang. In Philadelphia, there's always been more of a path for rocker wannabees: Dick Clark used to plug and pump local talent on "American Bandstand," and now there's a guy in Philly who runs a school in how to become a rock star. The school's a bit unconventional as this kick-ass documentary on the Paul Green School of Rock Music shows. This release from Newmarket Films received a rousing ovation at Sundance earlier this year and such enthusiasm transposes to great word-of-mouth for "Rock School."

Great leaders or teachers know how to push their followers' buttons. Rock School founder Paul Green is a master of inspiration and, as this film shows, manipulation. A tyrant, an egomaniac, a master-blaster, Green essentially runs a musical boot camp. And the kids, who range from 9-17, love it. Green preens, badgers and inspires and at times seems the most immature "kid" in the room. But his musical madness is packed with method: Practice, practice, practice is his dictum. No Juilliard or Berklee instructor demands more. He's a pain in the butt, but the students, for the most part, keep coming back.

In this day of dumbing down and coddling students, it's refreshing to see a teacher push his students to levels of accomplishment they didn't think was possible. Like a piano teacher beginning with Bach and crescendoing toward Liszt, Green insists that they play the classics. In his mind, that means Frank Zappa, whose music degree of technical difficulty, represents to him the
Mount Everest of rock. No strummy three-chord players for Green. Leave that for the garage.

Director Don Argott's filming is attuned not just to the musical dynamics but, better yet, to the personal chords. We come to learn about the school not only through Green's histrionics but through the eyes and ears of five different students. They are a diverse mix, including a clinically depressed loner (Will), a defiant Quaker girl (Madi), 9-year-old angelic/satanic twins (Asa and Tucker) and a virtuoso lead guitarist (CJ).

"Rock School" rips out in the gritty-underdogs-conquer-the-world story progression. In this real-life scenario, Green whips them into shape for a triumphant performance at a Zappa Festival in Germany.

Cinematographer-director Argott has the technical virtuoso of a lead guitarist, while editor Demian Fenton is a combo bass guitarist, drummer with his pulsating pace.

Producers: Sheena M. Joyce, Don Argott; Director/director of photography: Don Argott; Editor: Demian Fenton.

Reuters/Hollywood Reporter

More Rock School!

Okay, in spite of mainly fantastic reviews from everyone from Rolling Stone to Roger Ebert, people did not exactly come out in droves to see the movie this weekend. This breaks my heart -- not because of my own kids -- but because this is a truly wonderful, wonderful documentary and deserves much better. Don Argott and Sheena Joyce did a brilliant job on this film; Paul Green is a hilarious, compelling subject; and the kids are magical. So I urge you all to see the movie and write reviews for sites like Rotten Tomatoes, Amazon, etc. so that Rock School gets the respect it deserves.

I have a lot more to say on the subject but unfortunately, I'm having the back spasms from hell combined with a low grade fever and can't sit at the computer any longer. I will try and be back this afternoon because I want to discuss the movie a lot more as well as some other stuff...

Like, the Rock School benefit Friday night; a cocktail party I attended on behalf of my friend, brilliant author Ellen Meister in honor of her new book (a lot more on that when I can sit here without feeling like blowing my brains out from pain)...and more on friends' reactions to the Rock School soundtrack.

Ack...the pain..........later.......

Tonight at the Troc: Paul Green School of Rock Best of the Season! And Rock School, the movie, premieres in selected cities!

Okay, first things first: Rock School, the movie, premieres in New York today as wll as other select cities, and here are the details below. Please go out and see this wonderful, wonderful film. It's like nothing you've ever seen and if you love music and want to laugh your ass off, this is a MUST SEE. And if you don't believe me, read what Roger Ebert has to say:

Okay...here's where you can catch the film tonight:

Cine Arts 5 - Pleasant Hill, CA
Empire 3 - San Francisco, CA
Hyatt Cinema 3 - Burlingame, CA
Embarcadero 5 - San Francisco, CA
The Grove - Beverly Hills, CA
Arclight Cinemas - Hollywood, CA
The Crest Theatre - Westwood, CA
CineArts Sequoia - Mill Valley, CA
Monica 4 - Santa Monica, CA
Embarcadero Cinema - San Francisco, CA
Shattuck Cinemas - Berkeley, CA
Aquarius Theater - Palo Alto, CA
Santana Row - San Jose, CA
Camera 12 - San Jose, CA
Dupont - Washington, DC
Cantera 30 - Warrenville, IL
South Barrington 30 - S. Barrington, IL
Esquire 6 - Chicago, IL
Addison 20 - Addison, IL
Lincolnshire 20 - Lincolnshire, IL
Landmark Century Center Cinemas - Chicago, IL
Kendall Square - Cambridge, MA
Embassy Cinema - Waltham, MA
Bethesda Row Cinema - Bethesda, MD
Riverside 12 - Reno, NV
Loews Lincoln Square - New York, NY
Loews Village 7 - New York, NY
Angelika Film Center 5 - Plano, TX
Magnolia 5 - Dallas, TX
Shirlington 7 - Arlington, VA
Loews Meridian - Seattle, WA
Landmark Metro - Seattle, WA

Secondly, tonight at 8:00 p.m. at the Trocadero in Philadelphia - the best of the season benefit which not only showcases the finest songs and student performances from each of the spring shows from not only the Philadelphia branch of the School of Rock but the other branches as well, it provides scholarship money for those students unable to pay monthly tuition. So how cool is that!



It will be yet another bittersweet evening for me -- with my son, Eric, graduating Rock School after the summer tour, this is his very last Best of Show, and it's also the final show ever for two All-Stars -- keyboard great Allie Hauptman and bassist Matt Rothstein. I believe all of the other All-Stars about to graduate along with Eric will also hang around for the summer tour but if I've neglected anyone whose final show is tonight, please let me know and I'll edit this entry.

And to make it more enticing, throughout the evening, they will be showing clips from the movie!

So far with few exceptions the reviews rolling in for Rock School have been incredible. The only negative reviews I've read, and there are only a couple, don't have anything to say about the movie itself; they attack Paul because he's not politically correct. Gee, what a shame. (Sorry - besides words like "bling bling" and "closure", politcally correct and the people who are shackled by being so are my biggest pet peeve of this millenium). One critic went so far as to say he/she didn't see any comradery among the students. Ha! What movie did they watch? The comradery shines through...all you have to do is watch the kids in Germany on stage and see the smiles on their faces, everyone hugging. Why did none of these lovely critics bother to interview any of the kids themselves and ask them? Of course having gone extensively on tour with the All-Stars, I speak from experience. You've never seen such a tight knit group all with a common goal - to go out there and play their asses off because they want to, because they are focused, talented musicians...and Paul has provided them almost surreal opportunities. There are also a few critics who question that Paul has the kids playing classic rock and Zappa. Err...excuse me...but just because music isn't "new", does that mean it should be forgotten forever and shouldn't be learned and performed? So you're telling me students shouldn't study/perform Bach or Miles Davis?

Yikes, what a world. What the fuck has happened to common sense? And someone please tell me what music is out there right now that compares to Zep or Zappa or Hendrix? What, they should be playing the three chord dance bullshit forced down our throats by MTV?

When kids learn to play their instruments, they study the masters, and that enables them to go out and create their own music. Practically every one of Paul's All-Stars featured in the movie are now in bands of their own and writing just incredible original material which is complex and brilliant in nature. Does their Zappa and classic rock roots as taught to them by Paul show? You betcha! And the problem with that is?????

Sheesh. I reiterate. Soon you will see a slew of awe inspiring bands who will all credit Paul as their teacher. As Marky Ramone announced to the audience at CBGBs on Wednesday night (and Eddie Vedder and Jon Anderson both remarked to me last week) rock and roll is not dead...there is hope for the future.

Anyway, I can't wait to see a lot of you at the show tonight. It promises to be awesome and it's for a really great cause.

Last night in New York

Carlos Alomar on guitar (by the way, he's now President of the NY chapter of the Grammys...see post from yesterday for his creds), Jeremy Blessing, my son Eric on drums, Madi Diaz, and Max DiMezza.

...okay, I didn't get home until 2:00 a.m. last night, I had no sleep because I was so pumped from the NY premiere and after party at CBGBs, but a couple of things.

One, the movie Rock School is even better the second time - I saw a lot of stuff I missed at the first screening...(like I saw myself a couple of times in the audience in Germany and asleep on the plane next to my daughter, who looks like an angel while my mouth is wide open...yikes...)

Two, the after party was amazing. Performing were Madi Diaz on vocals, guitars and keyboards, my son Eric did all the drumming with the exception of I Wanna Be Sedated which brought out Marky Ramone on drums...and I know this is really going to embarrass Eric but Liz from Picturehouse Films told us that Marky did not shut up about Eric...he kept going on and on backstage that Eric is the best drummer he's ever heard in his life...and then ditto Carlos Alomar...Eric spent the night in NYC and we left him a message on his cell phone to tell him so I'm waiting for more news in that regard; also on stage and absolutely amazing: Guitarists Jeremy Blessing and C.J. Tywoniak; bass player Max DiMezza; vocalist and sax player Dom Malandro; and back up vocalists Madison Flego, Teddi Tarnoff, and the Collins family.

The NYC crowd went insane over both the movie and the concert. CBGBs was completely packed...the New York Grammy people issued invites, Newmarket issued invites, and everyone took them up on their offers and you couldn't even move in there. I did manage a lot more pictures but I am way too tired to deal with uploading them now so that'll have to wait until later today.

And finally, and this is totally awesome, we got the news that Roger Ebert and that other guy whose name I can never remember (it'll always be Siskel and Ebert to me) gave Rock School two thumbs up and you can watch their show on Sunday night in the Philadelphia area at 1:35 a.m. (arghhhhh...) on Channel 3.

Okay, somehow I have to drag my sorry ass to work now.

More later...