Media Release Bay of Plenty Smokefreerockquest 2012 results

A three-piece band describing themselves as ‘normal but interesting’ won the Bay of Plenty Smokefreerockquest regional final at the Baycourt Theatre on Saturday night.

Sunday Best from St Peter’s school in Cambridge formed about nine moths ago and bass player Jesse Austin says he’s not too sure what made the three year 11 students stand out at the final.

“I guess we are all a bit eccentric, and I did make a joke about G-strings,” he says.
Jesse describes their music as ‘elephant pop’ but admits that’s because they don’t know how else to describe it: “It’s probably more indi-pop than anything else.”

He says the band had great support on Saturday night, especially from the busload of St Peter’s boarders that came from Cambridge to encourage them.

The other members of Sunday Best are Charlie Verberne, lead vocals and guitar, and Chris Milson on drums.

Second place went to Six Gun Quota from Katikati College made up of George Irvine (guitar), Sam Clarke (drums), Luke McHardy (guitar) and Daniel Donaldson (bass).

These top two bands win musical gear from associate sponsor NZ Rockshops and go on to compete for one of eight national finalist spots in this year’s Smokefreerockquest national final at Claudelands in Hamilton on 22 September.

Rockquest Promotions Founders and Directors Glenn Common and Pete Rainey said from here on the Bay of Plenty finalists would have to work hard and draw on their creativity to make the most of the opportunity Smokefreerockquest offered.

“In August judges will be selecting the eight finalists from DVDs of their own original music,” Common said. “There are a range of skills they’ll need to pull this together – creativity and musical ability are important, but they also learn to work together as a group and have to be well organised to produce the video footage that could be their next step towards Kiwi music success.”

The eight national finalists will be selected from a pool made up of first and second place-getters from each of the 24 regional finals, and bands from Rockshop Second Chance, an opportunity for established bands who feel they didn’t play at their best on the night.

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, the APRA Lyric Award, the Lowdown Best Song Award, the Smokefree Women’s Musicianship Award and the Skinny People’s Choice, voted by text, with the opportunity to open at the SFRQ National final.

Other regional awards made on Saturday night:

Third place winning musical gear from associate sponsor NZ Rockshops and their suppliers: RPM from Mt Maunganui College and Tauranga Boys' College

Smokefree Award For Women’s Musicianship and the APRA Lyric Award: Georgia Lines from Bethlehem College

Lowdown Best Song: Kevin Kang from Otumoetai 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 final: Isaac Andrew from Tauranga Boys' College

Skinny People’s Choice voted by text: The M Six from Aquinas College

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

ENDS

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