The Apollo Effect

We’re tremendously excited to announce new team of judges, Toronto’s own The Apollo Effect.

Formed in Toronto in 2005, The Apollo Effect is one of Canada’s most
electrifying new bands. In the vein of The Killers and The Bravery, their stadium-like anthems and high energy live shows are garnering international acclaim.

Musically crossing all borders, their modern rock retro edge sound borrows cleverly from such artists as Cheap Trick, Duran Duran and Oasis fusing new wave, modern rock and Brit pop.

In September 2007, The Apollo Effect defeated over 400 other acts from across Canada to win The Great Canadian Band Challenge; and their much talked about showcase performance at this year’s East Coast Music Awards has ignited a buzz for this U.K. influenced band.

The Apollo Effect, having performed special events with their peers- such as acts  Our Lady Peace, Finger Eleven, The Trews and The Arkells- have also supported and  donated their talents to special events for War Child, The Canadian Cancer Society and SickKids Foundation.

Their first full-length CD titled Antisocial Disorder was just released via Fontana North/Universal. Recorded in Canada and produced with some help from Canada’s pioneering new wave leader Gord Deppe of The Spoons as well as Canadian Idol Music Director and one of Canada’s hottest Producers Mike Borkosky (Ill Scarlet, The Reason, Low Level Flight) who was responsible for some production and mixing.

See all of our judges on our Judges page.

Meet Ajay Fry.  One of our awesome judges for Rock4TheKids.

Although born in Toronto, Ajay Fry attributes his bizarre and creative sense of humour to growing up in Ottawa. Fry cut his acting teeth at an early age, landing roles on YTV’s Lassie, Are You Afraid of the Dark, and Big Wolf On Campus, as well as regular voiceover stints on cartoons such as Arthur, Little Lulu, and Caillou.

A few weeks before his 17th birthday, Fry
began doing improvisational comedy at The
iNSTiTUTiON in Ottawa under owner and
Second City alumnus Ken Godmere. One year later he travelled to Beijing, China where he voiced for a series of educational videos which were distributed across the country.

At the age of 20, Fry returned to Toronto to study at the Humber College Comedy program, where he became a nominee for the prestigious Phil Hartman Award.

After completing the conservator improvisational training program at The Second City Toronto, Fry became the host of the Saturday morning block of programming on YTV known as CRUNCH and delighted audiences there for two years.

In July 2008, Fry followed his love of the Sci Fi genre and joined SPACE as host of the flagship show, The Circuit.

See all of our judges on our Judges page

During the winter holidays, John and I were having an IM chat about Rock Band. I’d just gotten it as a gift, John was a long time Rock Band player and I was starting to appreciate its awesome potential. I don’t remember which one of us said it, but it was suggested that playing the game in front of a crowd would be the ultimate Rock Band experience.  Then it hit us that this could be a freaking amazing opportunity to rock-out on stage and raise some money for SickKids.

If you need any evidence of how amazing SickKids is, talk to a parent of a child who was helped here, talk to a patient whose life was saved or even talk to a researcher or 200 who are working tirelessly to make discoveries that mean less pain, higher survival rates, shorter hospital stays and ultimately cures for sick children.

There’s this amazing space at SickKids called Marnie’s Lounge where older kids can get together and play games. One of the most popular games in Marnie’s is Rock Band. Knowing this, it seemed like a perfect fit. Getting Rock Band players out of their living rooms and basements and onto the stage at Revival in Toronto for one night to raise money for the hospital.

We think it’s going to be amazing. It’s not about playing everything on expert. There’s a performance component as well. Registered bands will compete in one round, the top three bands will be judged by our celebrity panel of judges (I’ll let you in on them as they’re confirmed) and the best band will win prizes (those details are coming too) and bragging rights.

So if you’re interested in putting together a band for the event on April 7, check out www.rock4thekids.ca and register. If you’re rather come out and watch, admission is $5 and gets you a ticket for one of the prize draws. If you can’t make it to the live event you can still donate here and if that’s not an option, please pass details of the event on to friends and family.

We’re looking forward to rocking out with all of you.

Hi everyone!

The date for Rock4TheKids has been finalized, April 7!