wheeleR
Brisbane, Queensland, Australia | SELF
Music
Press
THE Gap will be jumping this Friday night as it plays host to the inaugural Ryan Rocks school band competition.
Organised by Member for Ryan Michael Johnson, the music contest is open to all bands or individuals who attend schools in the Ryan electorate and will be judged by a panel of musicians and public identities.
The Wheeler brothers of Toowong are excited to be taking the stage for one of their first real gigs.
Knox, 16, Flaxton, 12, and Xane, 10, formed wheeleR just over a year ago and will be performing some of their original pop-rock tracks.
``It will be great to get up there with my brothers and play some of our music for people,’’ Knox said.
``I write most of the music at the moment, and my mum helps out a bit with the lyrics.’‘
Wheeler will be fighting it out for the overall prize of $1000 which is also being sponsored by Mr Johnson.
There will be separate category prizes as well as a People’s Choice award on the night.
``Judging from the quality and diversity of the submissions received it will be a great family night of entertainment,’’ he said.
Ryan Rocks Music Competition is on October 23 at St Peter Chanel School, 41 Chaprowe St, from 5pm.
20 October 2009 - Westside News, Quest Newspapers
STUDENTS traded school books for guitar hooks late last month at the inaugural Ryan Rocks music contest.
Organised by Federal Member for Ryan Michael Johnson, the concert attracted many of the westside’s most musically talented youngsters, ranging from classical musicians to modern songwriters. It was held at St Peter Chanel Catholic Primary School in The Gap in front of a crowd of about 120.
Amid stiff competition, sibling trio wheeleR took out the grand prize and the $1000 awarded after impressing judges with both their songwriting ability and confident performance.
Meanwhile, violinist Daniel Tagiev won the classical section, singer and pianist Stephanie Burgin took home honours in the solo section.
JayCee Squared won the covers band section.
“It’s great to see such amazing talent brought together under one roof,” Mr Johnson said.
“It’s opportunities to perform like this that aspiring musicians live for, and so rarely get.
“That was something I wanted to provide.”
Judges for the event were superstar DJ tyDi, former Go-Between John Willsteed, Paul Currie from Kid Rock Productions, Forte School of Music’s David Doherty, Rhonda Davidson-Irwin from Viva La Musica and Westside News editor James Chalmers.
5 November 2009 - Westside News, Quest Newspapers
THE westside’s youngest rockers, the brothers Wheeler have put the prizemoney they won in last year’s Ryan Rocks music competition to good use.
Knox, 16, Flaxton, 12, and Xane, 11, have been busy writing in the past few months and have just released their first independent single, ASAP.
“Recording professionally for the first time was a really exciting experience,” Knox said.
“We had to fit it in around our school work but we got there in the end and our next step is to enter Triple J’s Unearthed competition and hopefully get some radio airplay.”
Knox said the single stayed true to their signature indie, pop/rock sound and cited acts like Angus and Julia Stone, The Kooks and Kisschasy as inspirations.
Wheeler are playing a free gig on Monday at the Music Kafe in West End from 6pm, which is a licensed venue so all under-18s must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
ASAP can be downloaded from iTunes now, or check out the boys online at www.myspace.com/wheelerbrothers and www.facebook.com/wheelerbrothers.
16 April 2010
Anna Hilton
- Westside News, Quest Newspapers
THE wheeleR boys from Toowong are gearing up for the annual Leukaemia Foundation’s Light the Night charity walk.
The band which includes Knox, 17, Flaxton, 13, and Xane Wheeler, 11 will provide family entertainment at the event on October 7.
Light the Night gives locals an opportunity to honour and remember loved ones lost to a blood cancer or related blood disorder, to reflect on the impact these diseases have on the community, and to give hope to those currently living with a blood cancer.
Patients, families, friends, colleagues, health professionals and community members can gather at South Bank and help create a sea of lights by carrying a coloured balloon containing a tiny light and a special meaning: gold balloons to remember a loved-one lost, white balloons to celebrate being a survivor and blue balloons to give hope and show support.
Known for their fresh mix of indie pop-rock, wheeleR recently won the Under-18 category of the national RockIt songwriting competition with their debut single ASAP.
29 September 2010
Reshni Ratnam - Westside News, Quest Newspapers
Discography
Still working on that hot first release.
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Bio
wheeleR exude fun and the ultimate good time. It oozes from every pore. To see them live is to have all your worries cast aside, even for a few hours. Assignments due, shitty boss, unrequited love, can’t pay your rent - what of it? Worry about that later - the gig is like a holiday away from anything that could be described as a bummer.
‘It’s just a laugh - life’s too short to take it seriously’.
You don’t just see a live performance, you become a part of it. It’s as though the brothers have invited you to a party at their place. They’re intent on having a good time, and are dead keen for you to be a part of it. The obvious enjoyment they have for playing together on stage is infectious, and you can’t help but have a good time.
And then there are the tunes - they’re upbeat with hooks a-plenty and catchy melodies and lyrics that will hang about in your head for days to come. No place for melancholy or forlorn teenage woes here - it is all about the fun, taking chances and making good things happen.
Music, fun and a good time - wrapped in a chewy Brit Pop/Rock coating (with a sprinkling of Blues Funk) because who doesn't like an extra topping.
Avid songwriters, the band’s strength and passions lie in performing their original music to live audiences who they continue to excite and delight, winning new fans whenever and wherever they perform, with a wealth of original material the band take audiences on a journey where the eclectic musical tastes of individual members combine to serve up infectious melodies and catchy lyrics that stay with audiences well beyond the performance.
Since their formation in late 2008, the band, which is comprised of three brothers, has appeared on national TV, won a number of competitions (local, state and national) and reached the semi-finals of the International Songwriting Competition. No strangers to live performances, the band have been performing for a number of years at an array of venues including theatres, pubs, bars, cafes and festivals.
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