rock-it-science - About Us

Rocket science is a 4-piece Classic Rock n' Roll band hailing from Toronto, Canada.

Rocket-it Science features four excellent lead vocalists who are also highly competent instrumentalists and well-seasoned performers who love to interact with their audience. The group is comprised of Christian Bechard (lead guitar/vocals), Suzanne McKenney (rhythm guitar/vocals), Randy Milliken (drums/vocals) and Gary Folka (bass/vocals). Rock-it Science’s unique brand of entertainment fuses infectious hit songs from the 60’s-70’s-80’s & 90’s with tightly woven vocal harmonies and a driving rock n' roll beat.

An evening with Rock-It Science featuring Suzannes’ soaring vocal performance of Led Zepplin’s “Ramble On”, Christian’s foot stomping version of Elvis’ “Jailhouse Rock”, Randy’s homage to Jackson Brown’s 70’s hit “Running on Empty” and Gary’s gritty southern fried rendition of ZZ Tops’ “Sharp Dressed Man” is like being reunited with that one perfect mixed tape!

Rock-it Science’s sound and visual presentation is a big priority. The band is well equipped with professional-grade sound & lighting equipment and sound technician Justin Blau, provides a consistently great mix for the audience in any size venue from house party to concert hall.

Originally from Kansas City, Missouri, Suzanne has been a professional actor/singer/performer for 33 years.

After graduating university with a BFA in theatre performance, she spent a year at the Burt Reynold's Theatre in Jupiter, Florida where she performed in over 11 productions and was guided by the genius of Charles Nelson-Reilly as the master acting teacher. She spent a brief time in NY studying under famed actress and acting teacher Uta Hagen and soon after, landed a cruise ship contract singing and dancing out of California.

This contract led to a move to L.A. where she performed in theatre and television and ultimately met her soon to be husband, Canadian actor, Allan Royal. 10 years later they made their move to Toronto, where she proudly became a Canadian Citizen. Suzanne found success in movies, tv, commercial & voice-over work. Some favorite roles have been her recurring role as Judge Ralls on 'Suits', and a demented demon on the podcast, ‘Wynnona Earp’.

In the past few years, Suzanne has found great satisfaction going back to her roots on stage as the nasty Ms. Trunchbull in ‘Matlida’, and as an actor/musician in ‘Man of LaMancha’.

A founding member of the Canadian female country trio, Dirty Dishes and the rockabilly band, Suzie’s Alibi, Suzanne honed her live performances and recording skills in a band environment.

Currently, as a co-founder of Rock-it Science, Suzanne puts her powerful voice and lively stage presence to good use on stage with the band and on Rock-it Science videos with her fun-loving persona.

https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1813240

https://suzannemckenney.com

Born in Trenton, Ontario, into an armed forces family, Christian loved listening to the Beatles, the Who, Grand Funk Railroad, and the Rolling Stones. He purchased his first guitar and amplifier at age 13 and has been playing ever since.

Christian studied electronics in college as well as guitar and music theory with Micheal Leibson.

Christian spent years as a full-time professional musician, playing in R&B and Top-40 bands. He had success with Rumbleseat, a Labatt Brewery sponsored John Cougar Mellencamp tribute act playing at universities, colleges, and prestigious venues in Ontario and Quebec such as Rock n’ roll Heaven in Toronto, Barrymore’s in Ottawa, and Club Soda in Montreal.

Christian worked as an entertainment booking agent for premier talent agencies Platinum Artists and The Agency in Toronto during the eighty’s, handling acts like Edgar Winter, Lee Aaron, & Uzeb.

Christian owns and operates “Song Factory” a recording and video studio, where he composes, records, and mixes original songs, including “La Fille Du Nord” written in French language, which received airplay on CJBC-FM (90.3 MHz) during Franco Fete at Harbour Front. Christian has assembled and edited the Rock-it Science videos at his studio.

Christian was a Partner at Toronto based AV consultancy “Novita” from 2006 to 2023 working as senior AV systems designer.

Christian is a founding member and leader of Rock-it Science, and now spends his time dedicated to promoting, managing, and playing with Rock-it Science.

Gary’s musical journey began with a few years of piano and guitar lessons in elementary school, followed by a pivot to electric bass upon forming a rock ‘n roll cover band with some buddies in grade ten.

He studied theatre in college where he refined his passion for both acting and music before pursuing a modest career in the arts.

Along with his work in the theatre, Gary performed with a local rock and blues act, Reuben Cherry, culminating with a performance at the prestigious Maple Blues Jazz Festival in Winnipeg, Vancouver, and Victoria in 2005.

While his professional aspirations turned toward more practical pursuits shortly after, Gary’s desire to perform was never far from the surface and he continued to play music with friends and as a member of the roots trio, Redwood Logan.

As a lifelong student of the bass, Gary finds the challenge of studying and performing the Rock-It Science repertoire especially inspiring and he’s grateful to Suzanne, Christian, and Randy for sharing the stage with him.

Born in Ottawa, Ontario, Randy began his love of all things percussive, by banging on his mother’s pots and pans from the age of nine.

Randy studied percussion throughout high school and played in the high school bands and orchestras. He studied with percussion teachers in Ottawa & Toronto, including two years with David Kent, the Principal Timpanist for the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, in Toronto.

Randy has toured throughout Canada, playing in rock, soul, R’nB, country and blues bands as a professional full-time and part-time musician since the 1970’s.

Amongst the blues artists that Randy has played with during his lengthy career, he highlights his 15 years touring with 'Little Bobby and the Jumpstarts’, and his time playing with members of the ‘Downchild Blues Band’ at blues festivals throughout Ontario and New Brunswick.

He joined Rock-it Science as drummer/percussionist in 2019. As well as singing lead and backing vocals, Randy’s strength at vocal arranging has been a significant asset to the band.