Ready to rock!

Today's spotlight is on Rock School drummer Gian Rivera.

Rivera, 17, of Riverview, is a self-taught drummer who's been playing since he was about 15.

"I never really joined a school band," said Rivera. "I just bought a drum set one day and started playing."

Rock School bands are gearing up for next week's Rock School Blowout.

When he saw the brochures for Rock School, he thought, "That sounds pretty cool because I'm into rock."

He got hooked up with a Rock School band, playing heavy metal. When another band needed a drummer, he joined that group, too. He'll be jamming with both groups at the Rock School Blowout next Sunday, Aug. 8.

"I've been looking forward to [the Blowout] since the first day I started," said Rivera, who also plays in a third band he formed with some friends from school, Absinthe.

In just a couple of years, Rivera's gone from casually playing the drums to playing in three different bands. His band Absinthe has played at various clubs in Ybor City, and will play the Skate Park of Tampa next Saturday, Aug. 7 at 7 p.m.

"It feels cool to play in front of a crowd," said Rivera. "When the crowd stops and looks at you, you get a rush from it."

Want to join a band? Auditions for the next session of Rock School are coming up soon. For more information about the Rock School Blowout, or upcoming auditions, call 222-1002.