Ballarat Specialist School launches You Tube video

The Ballarat Specialist School six-piece rock band has already got 2222 hits on its You Tube video of an INXS classic since it was released last Thursday.

The band put together a video of Never Tear Us Apart in term one, with Matt Skoblar, 17, on vocals and guitar, Bailey McGeary, 16, on drums, Bree Stuttard, 16, and Tash Albon, 18, on keyboards, Domonic McKendry, 17, on guitar and Ben Tester, 16, on bass.

BSS instrumental music instructor Roland Weatherall said when he first heard them rehearsing the song he knew it was internet worthy. 

“I thought here’s an opportunity to get us a bit of coverage,” Mr Weatherall said.

“I said to them, if they did a good enough job on the day, I’d send it to David Koch.”

Never Tear Us Apart is the Port Adelaide Football Club’s unofficial theme song, with Kochie of Sunrise fame being its chairman.

The video was sent to him last week but they have yet to hear back.

The clip was filmed over one day but post-production took about a month.

So far, it has been viewed all over Australia and even in America and England.

Tash said they chose Never Tear Us Apart because “people know it and love it”.

All six band members said music had changed their lives since they took it up at the Ballarat Specialist School.

“When I came here, I realised this was what I wanted to do,” Bree said.

Bailey said music was his favourite subject.

“Six years ago I never thought I would get to this part (the video),” he said. 

“I wanted to go into hospitality but now I’d like to go into music instead.”

Domonic said he enjoyed the band, the music and just hanging out with his friends.

Matt started playing guitar with his dad when he was in grade four and also hopes for a musical career.

“I’m starting to end up with some really good friends outside of school through music,” he said.

Tash said music had given her newfound confidence after she began lessons in 2009.

“I’ve progressed in so many ways,” she said.

Ben started music in 2010 and said the band had been a “great experience”.

They all said filming the video was “pretty cool”. 

“We felt honoured,” Matt said.