Virtually unknown band to open at Rock2wgtn

In 2006 Capital C: Concerts took Wellington band Pearl and had them open for Elton John at the Westpac Stadium in front of 35,000 people. The band then went onto open for Eric Clapton at the Mission shortly thereafter. This year the company is presenting Strike Percussion to open for Elton in New Plymouth and in Christchurch the fast rising band ‘The Valves” who proved they can produce video, CD and stage performances well above many of their NZ contemporaries will open for Bon Jovi.

‘When we announced ROCK2WGTN a couple of weeks ago our office email and PO Box was flooded with CD,s, Bio’s and letters from over 75 New Zealand and Australian bands who wanted to get onto the programme for Easter,’ says Phil Sprey of Capital C: Concerts, “with our partners Pacific Entertainment we treat all these enquiries very seriously regardless of whether they are well known or just starting out and look for the stand out presentation and production - the flare!”
Why Sonic Altar?
“ I was driving around Wellington between appointments a week ago, and my son was feeding CD after CD into the cars audio when one track just leaped out in its vocal and musical style and quality,” said Sprey. “It was like listening to Ozzy Osbourne and Led Zepplin simultaneously. They had the ‘X’ factor others just didn’t have.”
Sonic Altar will play sets on both nights at ROCK2WGTN exposing them to an audience of over 80,000 people and to the likes of KISS, Ozzy Osbourne and other international bands still to be announced. Sprey says, “they are in very big company and will be noticed globally by their inclusion. Watch out NZ and World these guys have the potential to go far.” 

SONIC ALTAR:

The worship of music. This is the meaning of Sonic Altar. Through the love of their medium, The band's goal is to revitalize rock and bring it back to its glorious beginnings while letting as many people as possible enjoy the experience. The band consists of Kane Bennett (vocals), Daniel Costello (guitar), Chris Hulbert (drums), Rowan Uhe (guitar), Mark Lowe (bass) and Nick Carter(Keyboards) who are all based in Auckland, New Zealand.

The band has influences across many genres and finds it exciting to be able to draw these influences to create a unique yet enticing sound. Sonic Altar work as a tight unit, and everyone has input into the writing process. Right from the formation of the band, ideas have been flowing; providing an ever-increasing repertoire.

Together 18 months and the average age of the band is only 19, they show astonishing maturity in both song writing and musicianship. Each member of the band is an accomplished musician, with Rowan Uhe receiving an award for 'best guitarist' in his final year of school. He is currently studying music at Massey University in Albany. As well as studying music, Rowan also teaches guitar at a local music school. Chris Hulbert was awarded 'best drummer' in his final school year, and last completed an audio engineering course at the SAE institute. Mark Lowe achieved 'most improved guitarist' at his music school and is a vital ingredient in the writing process of the band. Kane Bennett is an experienced performer, having played the lead roles in many musicals and stage productions. He has also been awarded the 'Director's Choice' and 'Performing Arts' Awards in his final school year. Kane has been studying at MAINZ (the music and audio institute of New Zealand). Daniel was the writer of 'The Mechanical Dream', a track which took out the Play It Strange national secondary school song writing competition in 2005. This led to the recording of the song at York Street studios in Auckland, Daniel also studies at MAINZ. Keyboard player Nick Carter is also studying at Massey University.

In 2006, Sonic Altar took out the NZ final of the World Battle of the Bands leading them to the world final in Hong Kong in November '06. Over in Hong Kong the lads placed 3rd in the World.

2007 has brought a lot more work onto the schedule than was first expected. Sonic Altar have just released a 5 track EP entitled 'What You've Been Waiting For' which was recorded over 5 days with Olly Harmer at The Lab Studios in Auckland.