The cast and crew of this year’s staff musical share the rock tunes which changed their lives. Rock your socks off at the live show on the evening of Monday 3 and Tuesday 4 March in the MC Aud.

Ashton, Class of 2025, Sounds and Lights 

Rage Against the Machine | Killing in the Name  

The bassline’s very nice and carries the song forward. The song structure is varied enough to keep you interested. The anarchistic message and protest against police brutality is something is as relevant today as when it was written in 1992. 

Mr Ethan Baker Gonzalez, Freddy 

Pink Floyd | Time 

Everyone has a difficult relationship with time;“The time is gone, the song is over, thought I’d something more to say”.  Everybody should listen to the song “Time” – because it’s about not wasting it. 

Mr David Williamson, Music Director 

Queen | Bohemian Rhapsody 

This was the first record I ever bought. I was around 10 years old. It tells you how good it is that I still listen to it. Best rock anthem ever. 

Mr Prateek, Dewey 

Led Zeppelin | Heartbreaker 

This is the quintessential rock song. It has a classic rock riff, a driving drum part and a monstrous bass section. Over that are Robert Plant’s high-pitched vocals that meander between nonchalance and urgency. Top that off with one of the most memorable guitar solos ever, and you have a song that exemplifies 70’s hard rock. 

Dr. Bradford Barnhardt, Billy 

Pink Floyd | Dogs 

A brilliant rock-n-roll meditation on one of the animals that makes up life and society – dogs. “You gotta be crazy, you gotta have a real need. You gotta sleep on your toes, and when you’re on the street, you gotta be able to pick out the easy meat with your eyes closed.” 

Mr Will, Zach 

My Bloody Valentine | You Made me Realise 

MBV are famous for being a shoegaze band with ethereal vocals set against a wall of sound, but the end result can be heavier than the heaviest death metal bands. When they play You Made me Realise live, they include a ‘holocaust section’ with one chord played for 15 minutes at 130db, the volume of a fighter jet taking off. And that’s why I can’t hear you properly.  

Ms V, Director 

Napalm Death | You Suffer 

This song exemplifies the rock epic genre, keeping the listener memorized for every note on this audio adventure into the world of grimecore. Come on Birmingham! 

Ms Imtiaz, Summer 

The Smiths | There is a Light that Never Goes Out 

Only true love can overcome a collision with a double-decker bus.