TEENAGE singer-songwriter George Kirchner is certainly one to watch as this new decade unfolds, writes MATT TROLLOPE. Just 15, but with the maturity of a rock veteran, George, a pupil at Trinity Catholic High School, Mornington Road, Woodford Green, has s
TEENAGE singer-songwriter George Kirchner is certainly one to watch as this new decade unfolds, writes MATT TROLLOPE.
Just 15, but with the maturity of a rock veteran, George, a pupil at Trinity Catholic High School, Mornington Road, Woodford Green, has something of an even younger Zac Efron about him, so a million girls can practise their swooning now.
But George has to file any thoughts of pop stardom and groupies to the back of his mind as he prepares for important GCSE exams.
George, of South Woodford, told me: "I do put my school work first, but the first thing I want to do when I get home is write a song.
"I'm doing OK, though, hoping to get A and B grades, and while it's hard combining the two, I think the discipline of running my band, organising rehearsals, etc, helps keep me focused with my course work, too."
George began making music at the tender age of six, picking up his dad's guitar and teaching himself basic chords.
He is often found playing in his estate agent dad Richard's two bands, pub-rock outfit The Lee Aaron Band and funk fusion combo The Guilty Party.
Managed jointly by Richard and his uncle Marcello Tannaro, he says: "My dad and uncle are so supportive. I couldn't do any of this without them."
George set about putting his own group together when he was nine. After a few line-up changes, his latest incarnation is Fuze, which he fronts as singer/ guitarist. It includes pals Jack Goldsmith, 14, (Woodbridge High School, Woodford Green), on bass, Rianne Saunders, 15 (Britton's High School, Rainham) on vocals and 17-year-old Keir Adamson (a Trinity sixth former) on drums and vocals.
Fuze have already been causing a stir locally, with live shows at leading music venues The Bridgehouse II in Canning Town, The Standard in Walthamstow, and The Hermit Club in Brentwood. The band have also appeared twice at the Redbridge Green Fair and the Midsummer Music festivals in Valentines Park, Ilford, and headlined last year's Hope Festival in Surrey.
Meanwhile, George has also been working on solo material, and his new individual project Hey You, a lively power pop anthem in the making, is available on iTunes and is set to be included on the soundtrack of the film The Shouting Men, in which football minnows Gillingham get to the FA Cup quarter finals. The film is due to be premiered in March.
George explains: "As I get older, and have more life experiences, I feel it's easier to write songs. When kids at school call me a wannabe and stuff like that, it only makes me more determined, and gives me material to write about.
"I've already written enough songs for two albums, and I believe that, if given the opportunity, I can have a career in music. I don't want to sound big-headed and it's hard to explain, but I feel inside that I can do this."
When those GCSEs and A-levels are completed, George plans to study music at the Guitar Institute in Kilburn.
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