Smokefreerockquest - finalists announced

September 26 2007

Smokefreerockquest - finalists announced

This release also covers screening times for Smokefreerockquest on C4, Friday nights, starting this week. Scroll on down - even if your region hasn’t got a band in the finals they may still be featuring on TV. Note that the band contact details are not intended for publication.

Media Release
The Smokefreerockquest finals next month promise a varied celebration of young Kiwi music talent, with the six national finalists announced today covering the field from electronica to post punk.

650 bands played off in over 40 heats and finals around the country over winter, with the final selection from DVDs of the bands’ original music, made by judges Jason Kerrison from Opshop, Ashley Page from Warner Music NZ, and Tania Dean from NZ on Air.

In geographical order the finalists are:

Solomon - Rangitoto College, North Shore.
This five piece band has grown musically and professionally since coming second in last year’s national finals. Together now for three years, they have developed an artier sound with their sophisticated blend of ‘epic, dark rock and bluesy guitar grit’.
Band spokesman: James McCully Phone: 027 254 2354 or Michael Cho 021 222 6289

Malford - Botany Downs Secondary College, Auckland East
With a mix of catchy, fast-paced, melodic pop tunes and a sprinkling of four-part harmonies, these four guys from Auckland East have created a genre of their own - barberpop.
Band spokesman: Sam Holdom Phone: 021 115 1099 or 09 271 1137

The B-Side Electro Funk Disaster - Awatapu College and Palmerston North Boys High School, Manawatu
The Indie Blues three-piece band from Palmerston North formed in 2005. They’ve drawn inspiration from artists such as The Pixies, The Strokes and Jimi Hendrix, and have developed their sound into a unique balance of jazz, rock and fusion.
Band spokesman: Josh Burgess Phone: 027 340 0513 or 06 354 0969

Frankly Mauve - Burnside High School, Canterbury
This Canterbury five-piece has been playing together for two years. Their brand of indie-tronica/surf rock has come out of the garage, through the regional finals for the second time and now into the national finals.
Band spokesman. Miles McDougall Phone: 027 348 8937 or 03 357 9934

Bang! Bang! Eche! - Hagley Community College and St Andrews College, Canterbury
Two girls and four boys from Christchurch who describe their sound as ‘live electronics, post punk, breakcore’. They have their first EP underway and have been doing plenty of gigs around Christchurch.
Band spokesperson: T’Nealle Worsley Phone: 021 040 0144 or 03 374 6332

Taking the Fall - John McGlashan College, Logan Park High School and Bayfield High School, Otago.
Taking the Fall formed in early 2005 and their blend of alternative rock infused with metal and screamo influences has already gained this five piece band a reputation as a very tight, original act in the Dunedin music scene.
Band spokesman: Scott McKinght 027 304 9152 or 03 467 5050

Rockquest Promotions Founders and Directors Glenn Common and Pete Rainey said the standard of the top bands this year was higher than ever.

“These young musicians, while still at school are almost at a professional level, gigging regularly and playing with a maturity that sets them apart. Bands are increasingly made up of students from more than one school, they are working more independently of their schools and have a mature, career focussed attitude,” Rainey said.

Common noted that song-writing is more developed: “Bands now need to have more than one good song - they are more adventurous, there are more keyboards, they are trying for their own sound and developing strong individual styles.”

The Smokefreerockquest National Finals are at the Bruce Mason Centre on Auckland’s North Shore, on October 20. Tickets are $20 at the venue pre-sales and door-sales.
At stake is the first prize of $10,000 worth of music gear and recording time, plus almost guaranteed recognition by the music industry. The other awards made at the finals reinforce the key Smokefreerockquest aim of encouraging students to write and perform their own music. Individual prizes are awarded for best lyrics, best vocals, women’s musicianship and the best song. A scholarship to the Tai Poutini contemporary music course is also awarded. There is also the Rip It Up Journalism Award for fledgling music writers.

Smokefreerockquest regional finals from this year begin to screen on C4 this week, featuring Nelson and Waikato. The programmes screen at 5pm, during Vodafone Select live, except for the national final that will screen at 7pm on the 26th of Oct. (full details on episode breakdown follow at end of this media release)

Visit the Smokefreerockquest website www.theset.co.nz to access more information, band profiles, MP3 files and more.

Ends

Smokefreerockquest on C4
This year’s coverage is as follows - screening at 5pm, during Vodafone Select live, except for the national final that will screen at 7pm on the 26th of October 07.

EPISODE ONE 28th September
Nelson Regional Profiles:
Jimarh [winner]
Cinnamon Lips
Lamatron

Last Years Winners Profile:
Neil Robinson

Waikato Profiles:
The Raves
Zoe Cook

EPISODE TWO 5th October
Manawatu Regional Profiles:
Us As Robots
The B Side Electro Funk Disaster [winner]
A Minor Distraction

Wanganui Profiles:
Check Funda [winner]
Severa

EPISODE THREE 12th October
Otago Regional Profiles:
Taking the Fall [winner]
TFF
A & E

Wellington Profiles:
The Confederates
Zitty [winner]

EPISODE FOUR 19th October
Auckland Central Regional Profiles:
Ben Kara
The Randoms
Ohmin

Hawkes Bay Profiles:
Sean Kirkwood
What's the Knife for, Mum?

Hutt Valley Profiles:
Arcade Afterglow [winner]
Miss Guided Youth

About Smokefree
Smokefree exists to encourage New Zealanders to adopt and maintain healthy attitudes and lifestyles and is a major supporter of key annual youth events at a national level. Events including Smokefreerockquest and Smokefree Pacifica Beats are backed by Smokefree, ensuring that the positive Smokefree message reaches young people in their environment.

About Smokefreerockquest
Smokefreerockquest is the biggest and most influential nation-wide youth event held in New Zealand, attracting audience numbers in excess of 100,000 every year. Founded by music teachers Glenn Common and Pete Rainey in 1988 (now running Rockquest Promotions full time out of Nelson), it has become a New Zealand institution. Bands including The Datsuns, Anika Moa, Steriogram, Tadpole, the feelers, The Blackseeds, Nesian Mystic, Bic Runga, Fur Patrol, Betchadupa, King Kapisi, Zed and The Have all participated in the event during its 18-year history.

SmokefreeRockquest aims to motivate young musicians to prove their ability and realise the heights they can reach in their music careers, and encourage their peers to support 100% original New Zealand music. For more information visit www.theset.co.nz or email help@smokefreerockquest.co.nz

ENDS

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