The name of this band says it all. They’re monsters of rock, and they take it to the extreme with their unique, dramatic layered sound. Somehow, between other gigs and recording an album, they’ve found time to prepare their set for round two of the Emergenza Festival. They’re looking forward to putting on a super high-energy performance for the semi-finals, so be sure to drop by The Espy on the 18th to put your vote in. In the meantime, check out what they have to say about how it all went down during round one, and what’s in store for their show at The Espy

FOR THOSE WHO DIDN’T GET TO SEE YOU IN THE FIRST ROUND, CAN YOU TELL US A BIT ABOUT WHO ROCK MONSTER ARE?
Rock Monster are a five-piece rock band formed in 2010. With guitar, bass, keys, drums, and four vocalists, we tend towards energetic, dramatic rock with layered harmonies. Chief vocal duties are shared between our lively, lovely Ally on lead, and Aron on guitar and Ian on keys, with PhilS on bass and PhilG on drums.

WHAT’S YOUR APPROACH TO YOUR ONSTAGE PERFORMANCES?
Energy, audience engagement, enjoy!!!

WHAT WAS THE HIGHLIGHT OF THE FIRST ROUND FOR YOU?
First found highlights - the professionalism of the Emergenza organization and on-stage sound. The pumping energy of the crowd and the other bands. Making it through!

CAN YOU TELL US MORE ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCE IN THE FIRST ROUND AND WHAT YOU LEARNED FROM IT?
If a band is enjoying themselves and has energy on stage, it's infectious. But performers can go a step further to reach out in some unique way to engage and entertain the audience, suspending any sense of doubt or timidity. It's important that the set is a cohesive selection of songs with a sense of anticipation and culmination building throughout.

SO HOW DOES IT FEEL BEING ONE STEP CLOSER TO THE EMERGENZA FINALS?
One step closer... yes, playing the famous Gershwin Room at The Espy is huge, but the Hi-Fi Bar... what a venue! That would be a real highlight for us.

WHAT HAVE YOU BEEN UP TO BETWEEN GIGS AND WHAT HAVE YOU BEEN DOING TO PREPARE FOR THE NEXT PHASE OF THE COMPETITION?
Between Emergenza gigs we've played a number of pub gigs, a music festival, a live to air radio slot, rehearsing some new songs, and recording for a CD. Prep for Emergenza round two involves some intense rehearsals, polishing our on-stage presence, marketing and selling tickets, and hopefully finishing a five-track CD.

HOW ARE YOU PLANNING TO PROMOTE FOR YOUR UPCOMING GIG?
Promotion for round two is with Facebook and Reverbnation event invitations and emails to 1000's of people. Also through personal marketing to friends, relatives and work-mates.

WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO THE MOST ABOUT THIS ROUND IN THE SEMI-FINALS?
Mostly looking forward to the bigger stage, bigger PA system, bigger audience, showing off some new songs, and pumping out an awesome set full of energy and rock!