RocKwiz
Encyclopedia
RocKwiz is an Australia
n television quiz show
series, focused on rock music
, and broadcast on SBS One. It premiered in 2005.
. It is shot in The Gershwin Room at St Kilda
's Esplanade Hotel, commonly called just The Espy, in Melbourne. The program often includes local lesser-known musicians (predominantly vocalists), alongside more well known Australian and non-Australian musicians. It has a cult following for its no-frills style. The show features the "RocKwiz Orkestra" which provides musical clues and support for special music guests and participants.
, with Brian Nankervis
as the scorer and "adjudicator
where necessary". Dugald McAndrew features as a "human scoreboard". The show has had the following guest hosts:
To close each show, the musical guests perform a duet, accompanied by the RocKwiz Orkestra. SBS has released a compilation CD & DVD of the best duets.
singing Fairytale of New York
accompanied by Joe Camilleri
on soprano saxophone
.
in front of a crowd of about 11,000 people (as part of the Bowl's 50th birthday celebrations). Whilst the show maintained a similar quiz format to a regular episode, it featured many more guest stars giving performances before, between, and after the usual rounds. For the occasion, the regular RockWiz band was expanded with the Wolfgramm Sisters on backing vocals, Ashley Naylor
on guitar, and a horn section featuring Paul Williamson.
Canberra
Sydney
Queensland and many other places where they had performers such as John Paul Young, Tex Perkins, Kasey Chambers, The Wolfgramm Sisters and many others tour with them.
The three RocKWiz Duets DVDs were collected into a box set released on DVD in Australia on 28 May 2010
The 2010 National Tour highlights were released on DVD in Australia on 29 October 2010
Seasons 1 and 2 were released on DVD in Australia on 5 October 2011
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
n television quiz show
Quiz Show
Quiz Show is a 1994 American historical drama film produced and directed by Robert Redford. Adapted by Paul Attanasio from Richard Goodwin's memoir Remembering America, the film is based upon the Twenty One quiz show scandal of the 1950s...
series, focused on rock music
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
, and broadcast on SBS One. It premiered in 2005.
Summary
The forty minute program airs on Saturday at 9:20 pm, and is hosted by Julia ZemiroJulia Zemiro
Julia Zemiro is an Australian television presenter, radio host, actor, singer and comedian.- Early life :...
. It is shot in The Gershwin Room at St Kilda
St Kilda, Victoria
St Kilda is an inner city suburb of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 6 km south from Melbourne's central business district. Its Local Government Area is the City of Port Phillip...
's Esplanade Hotel, commonly called just The Espy, in Melbourne. The program often includes local lesser-known musicians (predominantly vocalists), alongside more well known Australian and non-Australian musicians. It has a cult following for its no-frills style. The show features the "RocKwiz Orkestra" which provides musical clues and support for special music guests and participants.
Hosts
The show is hosted by Julia ZemiroJulia Zemiro
Julia Zemiro is an Australian television presenter, radio host, actor, singer and comedian.- Early life :...
, with Brian Nankervis
Brian Nankervis
Brian Nankervis is an Australian comedian. He was originally best known for his character of Raymond J. Bartholomeuz, an eccentric beat poet. The character was popular during the 1980s and 1990s in regular appearances on Hey Hey It's Saturday...
as the scorer and "adjudicator
Adjudicator
An adjudicator is someone who presides, judges and arbitrates during a formal dispute. The term adjudicator essentially means a judge, without invoking the legal term. An ombudsman is a type of adjudicator in local government in the United Kingdom....
where necessary". Dugald McAndrew features as a "human scoreboard". The show has had the following guest hosts:
- Tex PerkinsTex PerkinsTex Perkins is an Australian singer-songwriter, who is widely known for fronting the popular Australian rock-band The Cruel Sea, but has also performed with the Beasts of Bourbon, Thug, James Baker Experience, The Butcher Shop, Salamander Jim, and Tex, Don and Charlie. He has also released many...
(10 January 2009, 27 February 2010) - David McCormackDavid McCormackDavid McCormack is an Australian musician and singer-songwriter who fronted Brisbane-based rock group Custard .-Early groups:...
(17 January 2009)
Orchestra
RocKwiz Orkestra comprises:- James Black (see The Black SorrowsThe Black SorrowsThe Black Sorrows are an Australian band founded by Joe Camilleri, the group's only constant member. Founded in 1983, The Black Sorrows are still active today, and are best remembered for their top 40 Australian hits of the late 1980s and early 1990s, including "Hold On To Me", "Chained To The...
) – guitar, Hammond organ - Mark Ferrie (former member of Sacred CowboysSacred CowboysSacred Cowboys are an Australian post-punk rock band based in Melbourne and active in 1982-85, 1987-97 and since 2006.The band's lead singer and lyricist is Garry Gray. The current line-up includes: Spencer P. Jones ; Penny Ikinger ; Nick Rischbieth and; Stephan Fiddock . A special guest for shows...
and Models (band)Models (band)Models were an alternative rock group formed in Melbourne, Australia, in August 1978 and went into hiatus in 1988. They are often incorrectly referred to as The Models. They re-formed in 2000, 2006 and 2008 to perform reunion concerts. "Out of Mind, Out of Sight", their only No. 1 hit,...
) – bass guitar - Peter "Lucky" Luscombe – drums
Rounds
The quiz comprises five rounds, and one preliminary round called "Ready Steady RocKwiz" which happens off air to select the contestants for the show. A notable feature of the show is its very casual attitude to the scoring system – a fact Brian once addressed on his introductory segment after apparently receiving some complaints from viewers. A common example of this is the awarding of "bonus points", often done when one team appears to be dominant.- Ready Steady RocKwiz – Early series of RocKwiz often opened with this pre-recorded segment, however more recently this is all done off air. Brian Nankervis asks questions of several audience members earlier in the evening, to determine four people that will make up the two teams later on in the evening. After the footage has been shown and the guests introduced, Julia Zemiro will usually ask the four guests what the first album they ever bought was, and/or what the first concert they ever went to was. The title of this segment is an allusion to the 1960s British pop music TV show Ready Steady Go!Ready Steady Go!Ready Steady Go! or simply RSG! was one of the UK's first rock/pop music TV programmes. It was conceived by Elkan Allan, head of Rediffusion TV. Allan was assisted by record producer/talent manager Vicki Wickham, who became the producer. It was broadcast from August 1963 until December 1966...
.
- Who Can it Be Now? – This round introduces the show's two musical guest for the evening. Clues are read out in a "Who Am I?" style, and a team buzzes in when they know the answer. Ten points are awarded, and then the guest arrives and performs a song. The first guest announced will join the team that correctly guessed them, then the next guest joins the other team (after also performing a song), although the first team can still answer the question. Julia usually asks the guests about their first concert and/or album bought as well. The title and theme music of this segment comes from the 1981 song "Who Can It Be Now?Who Can It Be Now?"Who Can It Be Now?" is a song by Australian band Men at Work. It was the second single and first track from their 1981 debut album, Business as Usual. "Who Can It Be Now?" was first released as a single in Australia in June 1981, prior to the recording of the rest of the album...
" by Australian group Men at WorkMen at WorkMen at Work are an Australian rock band who achieved international success in the 1980s. They are the only Australian artists to have a simultaneous #1 album and #1 single in the United States . They achieved the same distinction of a simultaneous #1 album and #1 single in the United Kingdom...
.
- Local and/or General – As the title suggests, this is a general knowledge music quiz section. The title of this segment comes from the song by Australian group ModelsModels (band)Models were an alternative rock group formed in Melbourne, Australia, in August 1978 and went into hiatus in 1988. They are often incorrectly referred to as The Models. They re-formed in 2000, 2006 and 2008 to perform reunion concerts. "Out of Mind, Out of Sight", their only No. 1 hit,...
on their 1981 album of the same nameLocal and/or General (album)Local &/or General is the second studio album by Australian New Wave rock band Models, which peaked at #30 on the Australian albums chart. It was released in October 1981 on Mushroom Records with Stephen Tayler producing...
.
- Million Dollar Riff – The RocKwiz Orkestra plays a series of notable riffs and a team buzzes in when they recognise the riff. The riff played as the intro is AC/DCAC/DCAC/DC are an Australian rock band, formed in 1973 by brothers Malcolm and Angus Young. Commonly classified as hard rock, they are considered pioneers of heavy metal, though they themselves have always classified their music as simply "rock and roll"...
's "Back In BlackBack in Black (song)"Back in Black" is a song by AC/DC, appearing as the first track on side two of their 1980 album, Back in Black. Known for its opening guitar riff, the song was AC/DC's tribute to their former singer Bon Scott...
". The title of this segment comes from the 1975 song by Australian group Skyhooks.
- Master Blaster – The musical guests are given a number of questions, usually around five, to answer, on a specialist subject they have nominated. The title and theme music of this segment comes from the 1980 song "Master Blaster (Jammin')" by Stevie WonderStevie WonderStevland Hardaway Morris , better known by his stage name Stevie Wonder, is an American singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, record producer and activist...
.
- Furious Five – This round involves "five or so" minutes of fast and furious questions to both teams. Usually, the Furious Five does not quite reach the five minute mark. The title of this segment comes from the American group Grandmaster Flash and the Furious FiveGrandmaster Flash and The Furious FiveGrandmaster Flash and the Furious Five was an influential American hip-hop group formed in the South Bronx of New York City in 1978. Composed of one DJ and five rappers Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five was an influential American hip-hop group formed in the South Bronx of New York City in...
and the theme music is composed of five 'furious' notes.
To close each show, the musical guests perform a duet, accompanied by the RocKwiz Orkestra. SBS has released a compilation CD & DVD of the best duets.
RocKwiz 2007 Christmas special
On 10 December 2007, a special RocKwiz show (Rockwiz Christmas Special) was broadcast featuring Tex Perkins and Clare BowditchClare Bowditch
Clare Bowditch is an Australian musician from Melbourne, Victoria. She released her fourth album Modern Day Addiction via Island Records on 13 August 2010. It became both 3RRR Album of the Week and ABC Radio National's Album of the Week. MDA is the first of Bowditch's album's to enter the Top Ten...
singing Fairytale of New York
Fairytale of New York
"Fairytale of New York" is a song by the Irish rock group The Pogues, released in 1987 and featuring the British singer Kirsty MacColl. The song is an Irish folk style ballad, written by Jem Finer and Shane MacGowan, and featured on The Pogues' album If I Should Fall from Grace with God...
accompanied by Joe Camilleri
Joe Camilleri
Joseph Vincent "Joe" Camilleri, aka Jo Jo Zep or Joey Vincent, is an Australian vocalist, songwriter and saxophonist. Camilleri has recorded as a solo artist and as a member of Jo Jo Zep & The Falcons and The Black Sorrows...
on soprano saxophone
Soprano saxophone
The soprano saxophone is a variety of the saxophone, a woodwind instrument, invented in 1840. The soprano is the third smallest member of the saxophone family, which consists of the soprillo, sopranino, soprano, alto, tenor, baritone, bass, contrabass and tubax.A transposing instrument pitched in...
.
RocKwiz Salutes the Bowl
On 7 March 2009, a special 90 minute RocKwiz show (RocKwiz Salutes the Bowl) was broadcast as the sixth season's finale. The episode was filmed on 13 February 2009 at the Sidney Myer Music BowlSidney Myer Music Bowl
The Sidney Myer Music Bowl is an outdoor performance venue in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. It is located in the lawns and gardens of Kings Domain, close to the Arts Centre and the Southbank entertainment precinct...
in front of a crowd of about 11,000 people (as part of the Bowl's 50th birthday celebrations). Whilst the show maintained a similar quiz format to a regular episode, it featured many more guest stars giving performances before, between, and after the usual rounds. For the occasion, the regular RockWiz band was expanded with the Wolfgramm Sisters on backing vocals, Ashley Naylor
Ashley Naylor
Ashley Naylor is an Australian musician, best known for his guitar and vocals in Melbourne-based band Even.In 1987 at the age seventeen, Naylor fronted an indie rock band called The Swarm. He occasionally played guitar with Melbourne band Pray TV on studio recordings and also live...
on guitar, and a horn section featuring Paul Williamson.
RocKwiz 2009 Christmas special
The 2009 RocKwiz Christmas special was broadcast on 19 December 2009. The 90 minute special was filmed at the Palais Theatre in St. Kilda, Melbourne. The show featured a regular quiz format, except that there were multiple contestants and guests. The regular RocKwiz Orkestra was augmented by Ashley Naylor on guitar and the Wolfgramm sisters (Eliza, Kelly, and Talei) on vocals. Guest performers were (in order of performance):- Tex PerkinsTex PerkinsTex Perkins is an Australian singer-songwriter, who is widely known for fronting the popular Australian rock-band The Cruel Sea, but has also performed with the Beasts of Bourbon, Thug, James Baker Experience, The Butcher Shop, Salamander Jim, and Tex, Don and Charlie. He has also released many...
and Tim RogersTim RogersTim Rogers is the frontman of Australian rock band You Am I. He is also a solo artist, as well as having fronted and released albums with bands The Twin Set and The Temperance Union.-History:... - Paris WellsParis WellsParis Wells is an Australian singer songwriter based in Melbourne. She has released two albums and one EP. Wells has played at festivals such as Falls Festival, Big Day Out, Meredith and Sydney Music Festival...
- Paul GrayPaul Gray (songwriter)Paul Gray is an Australian songwriter, pianist, singer and record producer. He met with early success as the lead vocalist for the 1980s funk/pop band. Wa Wa Nee....
and Abby DobsonAbby Dobson (Australian musician)Abby Dobson is an Australian singer and musician. Dobson was the lead vocalist for the pop band Leonardo's Bride.Dobson has often collaborated with musician Paul Mac on a few tracks, including "Gonna Miss You" from the 2001 album 3000 Feet High.She recently appeared on i98fm with Lachlan Kitchen... - Adalita SrsenAdalita SrsenAdalita Srsen is an Australian rock musician, known best as a founding member of rock band Magic Dirt.-Early life and childhood:Adalita was born in Geelong, Australia on 25 February 1971. She told Rolling Stone magazine in 2003 that her father, a Croatian cabaret performer, named her after a...
- Bill ChambersBill ChambersWilliam Joseph "Bill" Chambers was an American football offensive lineman in the All-America Football Conference. He played two seasons for the New York Yankees . He played collegiately for Alabama, Georgia Tech and UCLA....
and Kasey ChambersKasey ChambersKasey Chambers is an Australian country singer-songwriter. She is the daughter of steel guitar player Bill Chambers, and the sister of musician and producer Nash Chambers.-Solo success:... - Holiday Sidewinder and Glenn RichardsGlenn RichardsGlenn Anthony Richards is the mainstay guitarist singer-songwriter for the Australian rock band Augie March.-Early years:Richards was born in Shepparton, Victoria...
- Toby Martin and Sarah Kelly
- Sally Seltmann and Dan KellyDan Kelly (musician)Daniel "Dan" Kelly is an Australian singer-songwriter and guitarist. He is the second oldest of six children and the nephew of Paul Kelly. He grew up in Queensland and learnt the guitar at thirteen, studying Environmental Science at University, in Brisbane, in 1990...
- Tex Perkins and Paris WellsParis WellsParis Wells is an Australian singer songwriter based in Melbourne. She has released two albums and one EP. Wells has played at festivals such as Falls Festival, Big Day Out, Meredith and Sydney Music Festival...
- Vika Bull and John Paul YoungJohn Paul YoungJohn Paul Young is an Australian pop singer who had a 1978 worldwide hit with "Love Is in the Air"...
- Tim Rogers
- Joe CamilleriJoe CamilleriJoseph Vincent "Joe" Camilleri, aka Jo Jo Zep or Joey Vincent, is an Australian vocalist, songwriter and saxophonist. Camilleri has recorded as a solo artist and as a member of Jo Jo Zep & The Falcons and The Black Sorrows...
RocKwiz 2010 tour
They toured toCanberra
Sydney
Queensland and many other places where they had performers such as John Paul Young, Tex Perkins, Kasey Chambers, The Wolfgramm Sisters and many others tour with them.
DVD Releases
RockWiz Salutes The Bowl was released on DVD in Australia on 21 August 2009The three RocKWiz Duets DVDs were collected into a box set released on DVD in Australia on 28 May 2010
The 2010 National Tour highlights were released on DVD in Australia on 29 October 2010
Seasons 1 and 2 were released on DVD in Australia on 5 October 2011
External links
- RocKwiz at the National Film and Sound Archive sing "Fairytale of New YorkFairytale of New York"Fairytale of New York" is a song by the Irish rock group The Pogues, released in 1987 and featuring the British singer Kirsty MacColl. The song is an Irish folk style ballad, written by Jem Finer and Shane MacGowan, and featured on The Pogues' album If I Should Fall from Grace with God...
"