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New Titles - new CDs and DVDs at the library

Smokfreerockquest logo'Energetic' Skatelly Kat Gang take title, best song award

Skatelly Kat Gang from St Andrew's College won double honours at the smokefreerockquest regional finals, picking up the first heat title and the best song award.

Synth player and vocalist Andy Manning says the band, bassist Finn Brown and brothers Harry (drums) and Brad Guy (guitar) got together about a year ago.

“Our music is kind of energetic rock that’s lots of fun to play and to listen to,” he said.

“We just let the music take control and had a great time, which I think was picked up by the judges and the audience.”

Second place went to The Young Souls from Burnside High School, and Smokefree People’s Choice award, voted by text at the event, went to Forget Gravity from Papanui High School.

Sand Fly Bay win Saturday final

In the second final first place went to Cashmere High School four-piece Sand Fly Bay.

Vocalist Slade Anderson says their music was different enough to stand out from the crowd.

“There were a lot of metal bands on Saturday night and we stood out as a bit different with our pop rock songs that were more melodic.”

It’s the third year in Smokefreerockquest for some of the band, though the bassist has only been with them a month.

Second place went to Custard Bear, a three-piece band from Christchurch Boys' High School; and the Smokefree People’s Choice award went to Plague of the Fallen from Shirley Boys’ High and Hagley Community College.

These top bands from each night go on to compete for one of the six finalist spots in this year’s Smokefreerockquest, with first and second place-getters also taking home musical gear from NZ Rockshops and their suppliers.

DVDs will decide national finalists

The Canterbury finalists now have a new job on their to-do lists - make a DVD.

and Directors Glenn Common and say it is now up to the Canterbury finalists to make the most of the opportunity Smokefreerockquest offers.

Rockquest Promotions director Pete Rainey said “creativity and commitment,” would sort out who made the Auckland finals on September 19.

“The six bands have to work together as a group on their DVD and develop the skills that will help turn their talent into success.”

Around 60 bands, made up of first and second place-getters from each of 26 regional finals, plus the Smokefree People’s Choice winner and bands from Rockshop Second Chance, are eleigible for the national finals.

Mentor bands

In term three Smokefreerockquest and the NZ Music Commission, with funding from the Ministry of Education, will partner the regional winner with a mentor band - a band that is some years ahead and has first hand knowledge of the industry.

Prizes

Prizes at stake include musical equipment from NZ Rockshop to the value of $10,000, and The Edge Airplay Award with NZ On Air where the winning band’s music and video are recorded at York Street Studios with guaranteed airplay, and a promotional package from myspace.com. Other awards reinforce the key Smokefreerockquest aim of encouraging students to write and perform their own music. Individual prizes are awarded for best lyrics, women’s musicianship, the best song and a scholarship to the Tai Poutini contemporary music course is awarded for musicianship.

Other awards

Third place winning musical gear from NZ Rockshops and their suppliers: Guerilla Circus from Christ's College & Cashmere High School.

The Mainz Musicianship Award with the opportunity to be selected for the $4500 Music and Audio Institute of New Zealand Scholarship, announced at the national finals: Buster Thompson, bass player from Band Name.

The APRA Lyric Writer’s Award judged from lyrics submitted at the heats: David Haslett, Burnside High School and Shannelee Etches, Riccarton High School from Revelry for their song Nova.

Smokefree award for women’s musicianship with a prize of $150: Shannelee Etches, singer from Revelry

And on Saturday night the other awards went to:

Third place winning musical gear from NZ Rockshops and their suppliers: Messing With Sasquatch, Christchurch Boys' High School & Linwood College

The Mainz Musicianship Award with the opportunity to be selected for the $4500 Music and Audio Institute of New Zealand Scholarship, announced at the national finals: Callum Devlin, bass player and singer from Custard Bear, Christchurch Boys' High School.

The APRA Lyric Writer’s Award judged from lyrics submitted at the heats: Andrew Bell, Shuffle Impression for their song Hold You Through.

Smokefree award for women’s musicianship with a prize of $150: Rebbeca Glenjarman, the drummer from Pandora Falls, from Christchurch Girls High School.

The Lowdown Best Song Award, winning $100 cash: The Cold Front from Rangiora High School & Hagley Community College.

June 2009