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Sorry wanna-bes, ABC is on the hunt to exhume bands that “never-were”

James Valentine is launching a competition for unsigned, unrecorded and unwanted bands from older, rather than younger, performers.

James ValentineABC radio broadcaster James Valentine is launching a nationwide competition for unsigned, unrecorded, unheard, and unwanted bands from older, rather than younger, performers.

After calling for demos from middle-aged garage bands on his radio show, Valentine heard from 250 Sydney-based bands. Now the one-time Models muso is taking the project wider, including into a TV series, under the title Exhumed.

Acts must feature band members over the age of 30.

“We want to applaud those who make music for the fun of it. We want to find those who play for their friends, at fundraisers, at street fairs and school fetes. We want to say, we think you’re fantastic, it’s great what you’re doing and don’t stop doing it,” he said.

“This is not The Voice. We are not looking for a great undiscovered singer. It’s not X Factor or Idol – we are not about to create a new pop sensation. This is about recognising that there’s a lot of great, passionate, inspired music making going on purely for the love of it”.

Exhumed celebrates the amateur. It’s not for some old one hit wonder trying to revive a career or for young things on the way up. It’s for those who’ve chosen other paths in life but still love to play.

It’s not for has-beens, it’s not for wannabes, it’s for the never-weres.

Originally created by James Valentine for his 702 ABC Sydney local radio show, the competition received an overwhelming response with 250 Sydney-based bands entering.

This expanded version of Exhumed is a collective project between every ABC Local Radio station in the country, ABC Multiplatform, ABC Open and ABC TV. No other media organisation in Australia has the capacity to produce such an enormous cross platform event extending into communities across the country.

Exhumed kicks off on ABC Local Radio when entries open on June 24. Band members must be over 30-years-old, in a band of two or more people, and can play any music genre, but they must be amateur. Entries close on July 15. Stations will announce their local winner at an event run by each ABC Local Radio station around the country in August. From these winners, six finalists will be chosen.

The inspiring and action-filled story of uncovering Australia’s top six ‘Best Bands You’ve Never Heard Of’ will be covered in a five-part TV series, hosted by James Valentine, which will screen in November on ABC1. You’ll see the stories and passions behind the top six bands, and share their nerves and excitement as they perform in front of three celebrity judges in a Live Grand Final. Which band will take home the title of ‘EXHUMED Winner 2013’?

If you love to play, it’s time to get Exhumed.

abc.net.au/exhumed for more information and entry details.

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