Inglewood band takes Rockquest title! | Taranaki News | Local News in Taranaki

FOUR boys in paint-splattered overalls took out this year’s Taranaki Smokefreerockquest title on Saturday night at the TSB Showplace in New Plymouth. First place in the regional final of the nationwide youth music competition went to Sticks ‘n’ Stones from Inglewood High School, who also won the Lowdown Best Song Award and the  Smokefree People’s Choice, selected by text vote at the event.
The band consists of Adam Colless (vocals & lead guitar), James Drummond (drums),Laytone Otene (rhythm guitar) and Callum Rutherford (bass).The boys first got together as a band when they attended a week long rockcamp run by Rimu from the Westcoast School of Rock. Bassist Callum Rutherford says it was the alt-grunge band’s second go at Smokefreerockquest. “I think being experienced gave us a tighter stage performance,” he said. “Wearing overalls was helped to make us more original and we put out a lot of energy on stage.” Second place went to Fall Within from Francis Douglas Memorial College The top two bands win musical gear from NZ Rockshops and their suppliers and go on to compete for one of eight finalist spots in this year’s Smokefreerockquest.  “The bands to play off at the national final in September are chosen from DVDs of their own music,” Common said.
The eight national finalists will be selected from a pool of DVDs, made up of first and second place-getters from each of the 24 regional finals, plus the People’s Choice winner and bands from Rockshop Second Chance, which is an opening for established bands who feel they didn’t play at their best on the night. The Smokefreerockquest national final this year will be held in Hamilton, at Founders Theatre on September 11. Tickets will go on sale from Ticketek in August.Prizes at the national final include a NZ On Air new recording and music video grant worth $10,000, musical gear to the value of $10,000 from NZ Rockshops, recording time at York St Studio, radio promotional support for a single, The Edge airplay award, with the opportunity to be played on The Edge, video play on youth music channel C4, a place on the NZ On Air Kiwi Hit Disc, a photo shoot sponsored by Schick and a promotional package from Myspace New Zealand.