Rock Camp was a 13-episode Canadian reality television series of 2004. Episodes featured 18 youths training to become rock musicians, as filmed in Halifax, Nova Scotia. The series was first broadcast 5 April 2004.
Eighteen young rock musicians from across Canada arrive in Halifax, NS, and are immediately thrown into the world of Rock Camp. Campers take music lessons, write bios for the Rock Camp challenge and are drafted into four different bands. One lucky group even gets a chance to play for their peers-45 minutes after they form. Becoming rock stars in a day might be difficult, but the campers will have to put personal and musical differences aside if they want a shot at winning one of two awesome prizes: a recording contract with EMI Music Canada or 5000 dollars in cash. Jeremy Hora, guitarist for Default, stops by the camp to talk about starting a band and sticks around long enough to do a little jamming too. Default became a household name in 2002 when the single ""Wasting My Time"" topped charts across North America, and is currently touring in support of their new album Elocation.
After a day of introductions and instructions, the campers get a chance to strut their stuff in the solo challenge. The best soloist on each instrument wins camp bragging rights and some cool musical prizes. The campers also spend plenty of time rehearsing with their newly formed bands in the hopes of winning an EMI Music Canada recording contract or 5000 dollars cash. But who says the life of a rock star is all work and no play? Rock campers take in the sites of Halifax, play with their video cameras and make the adjustment from home life to dorm life. With mom and dad nowhere to be found, all of the rules go out the window! Gob's guitarist/vocalist Tom Thacker makes a ""Rock Camp"" appearance to chat about band life and have some fun with the campers. An independent and major label success story, Gob tours all over the world and has appeared on over twenty albums, EPs and compilations.
After two days of brainstorming, the four ""Rock Camp"" bands are ready to unleash their new names upon the world. And with the introduction Challenge, where each band gives a killer musical intro-they'll have a chance to do just that. Who wins the challenge? Who has the best band name? Which camper drops their drawers for rock and roll? Tune in and find out! Naming and introducing a band might not be easy, but it's a breeze compared to songwriting. Creative differences start causing tension between campers as each band struggles to come up with the next big hit. Resolving problems is an important part of band life, and each act will have to learn to get along if they want a shot at the EMI Recording Contract or 5000 dollars. Bassist Bruce Gordon from I Mother Earth joins the campers to talk about music training and education. One of Canada's top acts in the 1990s, I Mother Earth achieved multi-platinum status with their albums Dig and Scenery and Fish.
Fresh from a day of surf, sun and Halifax fun, the campers return to band life refreshed and rejuvenated. It's a good thing too, because the ""Road Warrior Challenge"" will put their muscles and packing skills to the test. Each band must load, unload and set up a van full of music gear, and the quickest band wins the prize. It's exhausting work, but the campers better get used to it if they're going to survive on the road. As the bands continue to gel and improve they start setting their sights on the big ""Rock Camp"" concert. It's this performance that decides if a group goes home with an EMI recording contract, a 5000-dollar cash prize, or if they simply go home. The concert is quickly approaching, so the bands need to work out any personal and creative differences quickly if they want a shot at winning. Goldfinger drummer Darrin Pfeiffer spends the day working with the campers and also chats about downloading music. The So-Cal punk band formed in 1994 and has toured with such bands as
It's love vs. hate as the bands continue working on songs and preparing for the big ""Rock Camp"" concert. The ""Cheesy Love Song"" challenge has each band write and perform sappy and sugar coated love songs in the hopes of breaking hearts and winning prizes. However, all of the sweet songs in the world can't dissolve the mounting tensions between campers and coaches. One band fights over 'rock star' attitudes, while another disrespects its coach, causing him to walk out of rehersal. Will the groups mend fences and get their acts together? The only way to know for sure is to tune in! Shaun Verreault, singer and guitarist of Wide Mouth Mason, sits in with the campers and talks about his start with the band on the guitar. A veteran rock act from Saskatoon, Wide Mouth Mason is known for their outstanding live show and has opened for such world class artists as The Rolling Stones and AC/DC.
""Rock Camp"" gets intimate as the campers break from their daily routine to chat about their experiences thus far. The hard-working days and fun-filled, sleepless nights are starting to get to some campers as they try to remain focused on the upcoming ""Rock Camp"" concert. Winning the EMI Recording Contract or 5000 dollars cash will take more than making through ""Rock Camp"" in one piece, so the campers need to prepare their minds and bodies for the big gig. And don't forget the instruments. The ""Fix Your Weapons"" challenge pits guitarists, bassists and drummers against one another as they see who can restring and re-skin the best and fastest. A musician is only as good as their gear, so the better they take care of it, the less likely it is to break down in the middle of a performance. And with the performance of their lives looming on the horizon, the campers need to keep their instruments in tip-top shape. Chico, the guitarist of Not By Choice, stops by the camp to hear the band's
Get ready to laugh as the campers compete in the Video Diary challenge. Each band spends the night performing skits, stunts and pranks in the dorm and in the streets and have a blast in the process. Who knew waking up at 4AM could be so much fun? The boys might have the numbers, but the girls rule the day! Bif Naked and Live of Release guitarist Britt Black-who, at 18, is young enough to be in camp herself-spends the day hanging with the bands, talking about her music and gossiping with the girls in the bathroom. What it like being a woman in a male dominated industry? Black has the answers. With the ""Rock Camp"" concert one week away, the bands are hitting their stride. Tune in for some inspired performances and great songs!
The ""Rock Camp"" bands enter a whole new world when they record in a professional studio for the recording challenge. With only 45 minutes to record a song live off of the floor, each band has to work together and get their chops down. The session is full of surprises as cocky musicians get humbled and underdogs save the day. While some bands are keeping their focus on the upcoming Rock Camp concert, others are still having trouble with their band mates. A late night chat between campers brings up bad vibes and possible band member trades. Will the bands swap musicians? Will the gossip come back to haunt the campers? The problems better be solved before the big concert or the bands can kiss their chance at an EMI recording contract or 5000 dollars goodbye. Of course, ""Rock Camp"" isn't all stress and tension. Some of the campers spend the evening making short movies with their band cameras, and the results are hilarious! Be sure to catch the highlights, and watch for the debut of Un
Have you ever wondered what your favorite rock camp band would sound like as a polka group? Well, you just might have a chance to find out! The style switch challenge throws each band a musical curveball as they scramble to change the sound and style of one of their original songs. Tune in and take a listen to the fabulous hits and spectacular misses. When they're not writing and rewriting songs, the campers enjoy a day at the beach, talk about their band experiences and poster the city for their upcoming gig. Telephone poles, moving vehicles and even human flesh are fair game as the campers cover every inch of Halifax with advertisements. The more people that turn out, the better the bands will perform, so they better make sure to spread the word! Johnny Lubera from Jersey takes some time from his busy schedule to check out the bands and talk about his influences. The Burlington, Ontario punk band has opened for Sum 41 and Treble Charger and is currently supporting their major lab
Any struggling musician knows the best way to make a few bucks is to strap on their guitar, step outside and take their music to the streets. And with the busker challenge, so do the ""Rock Camp"" bands. Each group entertains a different section of Halifax in the hopes of raising money for the Canadian Music Therapy Trust Fund, and the band that fills their guitar case with the most cash wins the prize. It's a great chance for each act to practice their songs for an acoustic performance later in the day, and an awesome opportunity to bond with band mates. And one band really needs it. A mid-rehearsal shouting match leaves campers in tears and forces the coach/band member meeting. Will the band implode before the big concert or will they work out their differences? Tune in for great afternoon of music and drama!
The Rock Camp concert looms large in the horizon as the campers prepare for their show and talk about their chances of winning. Fighting and personal tensions are pushed aside the bands work on songs and pump up for the biggest concert of their lives. With a chance at an EMI recording concert or 5000 dollars only one day away, there's not a lot of time for fooling around! That being said, the campers do break long enough to hear the results of the Rock Camp survey. Who's most likely to win a Juno? Who's most likely to play weddings? Coach Brad Conrad has the results! Robin Black comes to camp to give the bands some last minute tips and talks about the real life of a touring rocker. The lead singer of glam-rock band Robin Black and the Intergalatic Rock Stars, Black is currently touring Canada and Europe in support of the album Planet: Fame.
It's getting down to crunch time as the campers prepare for the ""Rock Camp"" concert. Final songs are getting written and loose ends are getting tied together as the bands attempt to win the EMI recording deal or 5000 dollars cash. But there are still plenty of other activities going on too! The ""Cover Tune"" challenge has the ""Rock Camp"" bands performing each other's tunes in an afternoon of musical tribute. And the evenings are just as fun, with the campers playing practical jokes on one another. You'll never look at an Olympic sit up the same way again! By Divine Right vocalist/guitarist Jose Contreras hangs out with the campers and talks about major labels and indie labels. By Divine Right has entertained thousands of people and released numerous CDs since forming in 1989, including ""All Hail Discordia"" and ""Bless This Mess.""
It's the moment the campers have been waiting for all summer long-the big Rock Camp concert! Watch O Sulco, If We Were Us, Jackstay and Five Bucks for a Toaster rock a packed house at Halifax's Bella Muse in the hopes impressing the panel of music industry judges and winning an EMI recording contract or 5000 dollars cash. The songs are styles are wild and diverse, but each band has one thing in common: they all play in the key of ROCK! Terry and Dean from the hit Canadian movie FUBAR are the hosts of this extra special edition of Rock Camp. The two mullet sporting metalheads know how to party, so if they're hanging out at Rock Camp you know it's going to be a good time!
It's the moment everyone has been waiting for-the announcement of the Rock Camp winners! Listen to the judges as they decide who wins and watch while the campers wait for the results and reminisce about their Rock Camp experiences. One band is going to walk away with $5000 dollars, while another will win an EMI recording contract and a chance to record their best song. Who will it be? O Sulco? Jackstay? If We Were Us? Five Bucks for a Toaster? Tune in to find out the winners and keep your ears perked for the professionally recorded single at the end of the show!
