‘Smells Like the 90s’ takes the stage at Clarke Road Secondary School

Music students from Clarke Road Secondary School are staging a production of ‘Smells like the 90s’. CTV London’s Bryan Bicknell reports.

Anyone nostalgic for the 90s may want to catch an upcoming show at Clarke Road Secondary School.

Music students are staging a production called ‘Smells Like the 90s.’

It’s a tribute to the music and culture of the decade that ushered in grunge rock, made lumber-jackets cool, and introduced the world to the likes of the Spice Girls.

“It’s upbeat, it’s nice, it gets you dancing, gets you out of your chair. And it makes you sing, literally, your heart out,” said Faridah Bakare, who sings and dances in the show.

The musical revue features a 25 piece band, cranking out music by Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Whitney Houston, Backstreet Boys, Spice Girls, No Doubt, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Metallica, and much more.

“This might be a bit embarrassing, but I didn’t know most of the bands,” admitted singer and multi-instrumentalist Rayna McClintock. “I didn’t know most of the music that we’re playing before we did the 90s show. So, I’ve learned a lot, I guess,” she explained.

Singer and multi-instrumentalist William Willson said he’s been taken by surprise by the level of diversity and musicality in the all-90s repertoire.

“I’d say that it started more branching off in the nineties. Because you’ve got like the Guns n Roses starting in the 80s, like the 70s. But then you’ve got like more of the grunge era starting in the 90s,” he said.

The show was supposed to hit the stage back in 2020, but was shelved because of COVID. Once again, students are ready to rock, said music teacher and show director, Kevin Kennedy.

“So, it’s just a big tribute to the 90S, and all the greatness and the trends and the tunes and, the getup and everything,” he said.

‘Smells like the ‘90s’ goes May 8-10 at Clarke Road Secondary School. Later in May, the group travels to Cleveland to play for elementary students at an art school, and of course to visit the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Museum.

Tickets for the show can be found on the Clarke Road website.