Cleveland - For kids that want to be rockstars, what better place to hold the ultimate battle of the bands competition than the “house that rock built”, The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum?
The iconic venue hosted what could arguably be the Tri-C High School Rock Off most diverse lineup of performers in the 23 years of the event. Thirty-six acts including over 150 performers representing 6 states made up this year’s Rock Off Class of 2019. This year showcased the most number of regional entries in the history of the Rock Off including two out of state bands and three Columbus bands going note for note against some of Northeast Ohio’s best in show.
In the end, Peter McPoland and The Haps, the trio representing The Woodlands High School from Spring, TX won first place including the coveted title and many accolades from the judges and attendees. Second place went to Assault (Lake Erie, North Ridgeville, Strongsville and Rocky River HS) and Charm The Guard (Copley HS and Hathaway Brown) and Caroline Ayers (Riverbend HS - Virginia) tied for third place.
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In what was an amazing night of musical performances, the judges felt all 12 bands aced the Final Exam, but Peter McPoland & The Haps graduated number one in their class! This was Peter McPoland and The Haps first time in the High School Rock Off.
“It was very intense and exciting experience to be a part of the Rock Off,” said The Haps’ frontman Peter McPoland. “We didn’t want to leave last week after the semifinals. It has been very cool.” Their unique rockabilly style with a Texas twist infatuated the crowd.
Peter McPoland and The Haps received $1,000 cash, $250 for their high school music program and an invitation to perform at the 2019 Vans Warped Tour 25th Anniversary stop in Cleveland on June 8th. They will also receive a number of other prestigious gigs this summer including the Rock Hall’s annual Summer in the City program on the PNC Stage, Edgewater Live and the 2019 Tri-C JazzFest Cleveland. Assault received $250 cash and $100 for their high school music program and Charm The Guard and Caroline Ayers received $100 cash.
The 2019 Final Exam performers recorded one song at Tri-C’s Gill and Tommy LiPuma Center for Creative Arts. The FREE download was produced by Jim Stewart, David Kennedy and Tri-C’s Recording Arts and Technology students. The FREE download is available now onwww.rockhall.com/rockoff.
Photos courtesy of The Rock Hall
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