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Joyce Siu

Don't miss the  chance to let your hair down and rock for a  great cause. RockAid, an annual charity concert organised by students at West Island School,  will take place next month.

The concert was first organised by Alex Cribbin and Samantha Lam in 2005 to support tsunami victims in Sri Lanka.

The event is run wholly  by students.

'The aim is to help organisations around the world, as well as  [integrating] the local music scene for a night of amazing music,' said 16-year-old Jingan Young from West Island School, who is the concert's music co-ordinator.

This year, money raised will go to a school in  Indonesia's Aceh Province.

Since most of the bands  that played last year have left  to study overseas, the organiser is looking for  new blood. Three bands - Empire, Exit on Twelve and slash!SAKURA!slash! - have  confirmed they will belt out their original songs  at RockAid.

Empire, a rock band formed by five students from Island School and South Island School, will unleash  their explosive vibes.

Vocalist Nick Dearman said  the band is based on friendship and   a passion  for rock music.

'We had the same musical taste. We knew there was something special about us, so we continued making tunes,' said the 17-year-old student.

The band was not selected to play in last year's RockAid but they are invited as a guest band this time.

'Apparently we weren't good enough. But  ... we cracked on and managed to get into Rockit, which proved we never give up,' Nick said. 'This year we were invited especially  to the event which was [great].'

As a special audience treat, Empire will release a free EP  at the concert.   It includes all their new songs, which are mostly about girls and  teenage life.

'We tell it like it is and  don't lie like other bands, which pretend to be something else,' Nick said.

On the acoustic front, slash!SAKURA!slash! (aka Benson), a singer/songwriter, will play emo-rock on acoustic guitar. He said Hong Kong needs more charity concerts like RockAid.

'Music is a universal language, and  we have a large community  with great talent,' he said.

With their original music, the  bands hope to  get the audience on their feet.

'It's easier to influence people if you're big stars. But as for energy, I reckon Empire are up there. We like to play fast-paced music and get the crowd going,' Nick said.

Clarence Ng, 17, the lead singer from Exit on Twelve, said music has the  power  to touch people's hearts.

'Music is one of the best ways to bring people together.

'You'll be touched by the music even if you don't know the performers,' said the  Shatin College student.

If your band wants to be part of RockAid, don't miss the audition on March 10 at West Island School. E-mail auditions.rockaid@gmail.com to reserve a time slot for an audition.

RockAid  will be held on March 23, 5pm to 9pm, at West Island School. Tickets cost HK$40 for students in advance, HK$50  at the door and HK$70 for adults.

For more information,  e-mail rockaid@gmail.com or go to www.myspace.com/rockaid



Rock out and raise money