The Rock 'n’ Roll Diaries is a series of novels by Jamie Scallion. It follows the rise to fame of four teenage boys from South London.
Soundtrack (The RockAteers)
Irish band The Script, Jamie Scallion and Jimbo Barry wrote and produced the soundtrack to the book. Bringing The RockAteers to life through music and video The RockAteers EP was released exclusively on Spotify on 1 January 2014 and has received over one million streams so far.
Reception
Book one of The Rock ‘n’ Roll Diaries “Making It” has received over one hundred and fifty FIVE STAR reviews on Amazon and a host of favourable reviews from book bloggers. The RockAteers EP gained over twenty thousand plays in the first four days of its release. Book two of The Rock 'n' Roll Diaries "Having It" and EP2 was released in January 2016 and went straight to number one on Amazon. Book three of The Rock 'n' Roll Diaries "Losing It" (2016) Book four of The Rock 'n' Roll Diaries "Owning It" (2016)
Plot
Burt has fancied Bex since Year Seven. His quest to score a date with the hottest girl in the school has been a catalogue of failure, and Bex isn't impressed by Burt's wealth and good looks. Suddenly there is a glimmer of hope when she lets it be known she likes boys in rock bands. Burt sets himself the challenge of forming a band – and he needs help. His mates won't make the grade so he enlists the help of ginger, musical uber-geek Egg and they hold auditions after school. Burt's gang try out with risible auditions, but then soccer ace Clipper shows what he can do on drums and estate bad-boy Tea surprises them with his skill on the bass guitar. An unlikely quartet is formed and rehearsal sees Burt's first crack as lead singer, Egg's amazing talent on guitar ...and interest from Bex. Burt thinks he's on to a winner – and Egg can't believe the girl he watches wistfully from across the canteen is actually in the school hall, watching him play.
It's not only Burt who needs the band. Clipper is on a fast track to football academy, but that's his dad's dream, not his. Tea needs to get off his rough estate and Egg needs to escape the monotony of music lessons, an overbearing mum and a friendless existence. The band rehearse cover songs with Bex a regular at the weekly rehearsals. The RockAteers are born. Privately, the boys are loving the new call on their time. But Bex's presence barely outweighs Burt's frustrations with his bandmates, especially when Egg surprises them with a self-penned original song. They are all blown away, especially Bex and when Egg reveals he has more, the band take on a new lease of life. Burt announces their first gig in the garage of his mansion, where he lives with his little sister despite his parents being away much of the time. Egg thinks it's too soon for a show, but Burt's already invited everyone and the local press. The RockAteers have the crowd eating out of their hands and everything is brilliant until the after-party sees Egg's ritual humiliation at the hands of Burt's bullying best mate George. Forced to smoke weed until he passes out, Egg escapes the house in the early hours and returns home to find his parents waiting for him and the horrifying sight of his eye-browless face in the bathroom mirror.
Clipper also has an unfortunate end to the night and is distraught when George calls him gay. Burt ends up sleeping with a crazy girl from his front row – Hazel, who he nicknames Crazel when he sees her lurking outside his house the morning after. Egg decides to stay with the band despite the lack of eyebrows. The RockAteers need to raise the funds for a demo fast. Tea decides to accelerate the process by stealing a car but Burt disapproves and Tea's gangster Uncle makes him take it back. No-one has any cash until Burt's little sister Millie cracks open her money box and insists Burt takes the lot. After some eventful studio time the band are armed with a demo and their online profile begins to see some heat. Egg and Bex's friendship is flourishing after she takes him shopping and puts a brave face on meeting his scary mum, who is less than friendly. Egg realises he is totally in love with her. Next up its a ‘Battle of the Bands’ and despite an on-stage fight between Tea and Burt the RockAteers emerge triumphant. Once again Egg finds himself the subject of unwanted attention from George and has his pants pulled down in front of everyone back at Burt's house, including Bex. This time he's had enough and leaves the band.