You’ve probably heard them through a bedroom wall.

A snatched riff or a muffled drum beat drifting from a dingy practice room or blaring out of an open window.

As 100 young rockers emerged from the shadows and took to the stage in a showcase of Sussex talent, reporter Rebecca Evans asks the county’s musical future what makes them want to crank up the amp.

Herbie Flowers is responsible for penning some of the most memorable songs in rock history.

The dawdling bassline to Lou Reed’s Walk On The Wild Side has been hummed a million times by music fans of all ages.

He has toured with some of the industry’s biggest names, including David Bowie, Elton John and T-Rex, and still plays with Roxy Music.

But standing at the front of the stage at the Brighton Dome, in Church Street, it is clear what he is interested in now.

For the past 25 years, Rockshop has given hundreds of children the chance to share techniques, songs and tips with their peers, not to mention some of the most gifted musicians in the business.

The brainchild of Herbie, Rockshop gives 100 teenagers the opportunity to meet fellow musicians, form bands and write new material, culminating in a performance at the Brighton Dome Corn Exchange.

Herbie said seeing the 11 to 19-yearolds perform their own material in front of 500 people on Friday was more rewarding than touring with Roxy Music.

He explained: “I get a lot out of the workshop.

I don’t want to spend the rest of my life going on tour with Roxy Music or Brian Ferry.

“The children are all brilliant here.

Some 50 new bands have been formed now at Rockshop, along with lots of new friendships.

“There are tutors and musicians here from Australia, America and Berlin, and there’s a saxophonist from Basel in Switzerland.

They are all happy to come here.”

Two groups of 50 youngsters were tutored last week in the finer points of rock and roll, folk, jazz and funk.

Herbie said: “About half the songs are rock but I’m not even sure what rock is any more.

“One band wanted me to play tuba on their song but they do not want some old man in the background.

“I will stand at the front shouting instead.”

The workshop, which costs £60 per person, has proved so popular in the five years since it has been in Brighton that children have been coming back year after year.

One band already making a name for themselves is Little Tin Gods, who met at last year’s event.

The band – Oz Dechaine, 16, Katherine Miles, 16, Dan Cartwright, 18, and David Kay, 14 – have been making some extra pocket money by busking their eclectic music across Brighton.

Drummer Katherine, from Cross in Hand, near Heathfield, said: “We are unusual because Dan is a saxophonist, Oz plays the double bass and David, who is only 14, plays piano and is a member of the National Youth Jazz Orchestra.

“Most bands here are quite into their metal so it is rare to play our type of music.

Also, we don’t have a vocalist.

“We have been busking around the Royal Pavilion.

Once we busked for 26 minutes and made more than £30, which was great.

“A lot of people are surprised to see I play the drums.

But that can be an advantage because you don’t see female drummers very often.”

Katherine was not the only girl making waves in the traditionally boy-dominated rock genre.

Friends and solo acoustic singers Jeni Ingham and Aoife McCauley showed the boys how to do it at the concert with their folk guitar songs.

Jeni, from Bexhill, is a regular at RockShop and said she had made some close friendships during her time at the annual event.

The 17-year old added: “This is my third Rockshop and Herbie knows me now.

It’s three of the most intense days and I have made some great friends, even though I only see them once a year.

“It’s good fun here but next year will be my last year at Rockshop, which is really sad.”

Aoife, 16, from Eastbourne, added: “This is my second year at Rockshop.

“The first year was more nerveracking because I hadn’t really played any of my music before.

“But everyone was encouraging and now I feel more comfortable with it.

“I hope to continue doing music and I want to record my songs this year.”