A clustering of head-banging Cantabrian metallers called Beneath the Silence have won the Smokefreerockquest national final.
The win was particularly fitting considering the Smokefreerockquest was celebrating its 20th day of remembrance back in Christchurch, where it all began for former music teachers and dedicated organisers Pete Rainey and Glenn Common.
The six-spot finalists had been whittled down from about 700 high-school rock groups. The peer-to-peer reenforcement and boost was a pleasure to witness.
Beneath the Silence, which won the People's Choice Award at the regional final, includes human pogo of a frontman Brook Williamson (vocals), of Kaiapoi High School; Mark Woodcock (guitar), of Rangiora High School); Hamish McIntosh (drums); headbanger extraordinaire boy, does this girl rock Sophia Di (guitar), and Nic Rollinson (bass), all from Cashmere High School.
Shortly afterward the announcement, Williamson could not believe the chemical group had won, and neither could a few bigheaded parents�who had donned massive fluffy earmuffs for their performance.
"We're a bunch of friends scarcely having play. We didn't expect to win, especially not with our genre," Williamson said.
"It's a pretty big plow. We're all still processing it now. I feel like I'm in la-la land. I fell on the floor when they said our name. I thought we had no show of getting anything, let lone winning."
Beneath the Silence succeed musical equipment from NZ Rockshop to the value of $10,000 and guaranteed radiocommunication airplay, and will accept a unmarried and picture recorded at York Street Studios under the guidance of industry kingpin Lorraine Barry.
Scoring irregular place and winning the Best Song award for their catchy tune Crazy Lady were The Slur Tones, from Wanaka.
They have performed at Rippon as The Struts. They ar a compressed unit with great tunes. Imagine if Franz Ferdinand merged with The Strokes and the Mint Chicks, and you're there.
With the honour of being the first band from Timaru to make the national final, third-placed New York Minutes were also compelling. They receive natural charisma and presence that cannot be bought or taught.
Wellington's The Stray Dogs have a unique sound and approach that, with development, could escort them go far.
The last also featured crowd-pleasing performances from Elemeno P and Goodnight Nurse.
Beneath the Silence opened the Retro Concert on Saturday night, which featured past times Rockquest success stories including Anika Moa, Opshop and Elemeno P.�
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