Smokefreerockquest 2012 Top 20 announced

Smokefreerockquest 2012 Top 20 announced

They’ve played off from Whanagrei’s Forum North to Invercargill’s Civic Theatre and now the top 20 teen bands in the country have been selected in the lead up to the finals of Smokefreerockquest 2012.

Founder and Director GlennCommon says from almost 700 entrants this year, more bands and soloists reached the standard looked for in finalists than ever before.

“There are more bands reaching that higher level – they are presenting themselves more professionally and they have more than just the two songs that they need to compete at the regionals,” he said. “They are really getting to grips with song writing and producing original music of a standard that has the potential to take them into the music industry.”

Glenn notes that duos weremore to the fore this year, possibly because this format lends itself to Facebook and Youtube success. And he says the subject matter for songs ranged from the personal and romantic through to the issues driven and politically aware.

The Top 20 Bands are listed with their school and their regional final placing (note Auckland Central and Canterbury had 2 regional finals); or that they were selected via Rockshop Second Chance, an opportunity for established (regularly gigging) bands whofelt they didn’t do their best on the night and can send in a video for judging.

Luke And Amberly, Kamo High School, 1st Northland regional final

Scamp And Yeah, Rangitoto College, North Shore, Rockshop 2nd Chance

The Great Moon Hoax, Rangitoto College, 1st North Shore regional final

Young And Reckless, SacredHeart College, 1st Auckland Central regional final (1)

The Teleprompters, St. Peter’s College, 1st Auckland Central regional final (2)

Vivid, Diocesan School ForGirls, 2nd Auckland Central regional final

Indi, ACG Senior College, Auckland Central, Rockshop 2nd Chance

Intone, Glendowie College,Auckland Central, Rockshop 2nd Chance

Eden, Western Springs College, Auckland Central, Rockshop 2nd Chance

Sunday Best, St. Peter’s School, 1st Waikato regional final

Noriac, Francis Douglas Memorial College, 1st Taranaki regional final

Aftershock, Western Heights High School & John Paul 2 College, Rotorua, Rockshop 2nd Chance

A Bit Nigel, Taupo-Nui-A-Tia College , 1st Rotorua regional final

Culture Kids, Wanganui High School & Wanganui City College, Rockshop 2nd Chance

Back To The Remedy, Wairarapa College, 1st Wairarapa regional final

Front Back And Sides, Wairarapa College, 2nd Wairarapa regional final

New Vinyl, Nelson College, 1st regional final

Mirum, Christchurch Boys’ High School, Christchurch Adventist School, Cashmere High School, 1st Canterbury regional final

Half Mountain, Unimited Paenga Tawhiti & Hagley Community College, 1st Canterbury regional final (2)

The Fletcherz, Wakatipu High School, 2nd Central Otago regional final

These bands will now be judged on their submitted DVDs by representatives from SFRQ, NZ on Air and representatives from the music industry, with the top eight national finalists announced next week (August 22).

The top eight will play off in this year’s Smokefreerockquest national final at Founders Theatre in Hamilton on 22 September; along with guests Zowie, The Jury and the Saints and the 2009 Hamilton winners, Banglade$h (formally known as The Good Fun). Tickets are $10, doors open at 6.30pm for a 7pm start.

There’s a helping hand for those who can’t afford the trip to Hamilton or the $10 dollar ticket, with a contest being run at Facebook.com/thesrfq. Entrants vote for their favourtie ex-Smokefreerockquest competitor from names such as Kimbra, Brooke Fraser and Opshop to win flights, accommodation and VIP tickets.

Smokefreerockquest powered by Rockshop, has a prize package that includes musical gear to the value of $10,000 from NZ Rockshops and their suppliers, a NZ On Air new recording and music video grant worth over $10,000, a place on the NZ On Air Kiwi Hit Disc, a radio promotional support for a single, and video play on youth music channel FOUR. There is also the MAINZ Scholarship for outstanding musicianship, theAPRA Lyric Award, the Lowdown Best Song Award, the Smokefree Women’s Musicianship Award and the Skinny People’s Choice, voted by text, that will give one band the opportunity to open at the SFRQ National final.

To find out more about Smokefreerockquest 2012, visit the official website sfrq.co.nz.

ENDS

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