Best of the six will win

By REBECCA BARRY

It's one of the biggest rock events of the year, although there's a good chance you won't know any of the bands on the bill.

Tomorrow night at the Bruce Mason Theatre the six finalists of the CokeSmokefreeRockquest are hoping to change that.

Bands to have competed during the high-school competition's 16-year history (and have not necessarily won the big prize) include the Datsuns, Anika Moa, Steriogram, Tadpole, the feelers, the Black Seeds, Nesian Mystik, Bic Runga, Fur Patrol, betchadupa, King Kapisi and Zed.

Over the past few weeks 623 hopefuls have been whittled down to six: Falter (Mairehau High School, Christchurch), Fifth Element (Hornby, Shirley Boys and Aranui High Schools, Christchurch), Grannypash (Sacred Heart Girls College, Waikato), Mission Gizzard (Dilworth School, Auckland), the Checks (Takapuna Grammar, North Shore) and the Rabble (Orewa College), North Shore.

The winner will record and produce three songs at York Street Studios, release a single on the Edge radio network, produce a music video and receive $10,000 in vouchers from NZ Rockshops and their suppliers.

Those who don't take home the big prize can still win awards for lyrics, stage image, vocals, women's musicianship and songwriting. While the judges - Pete Rainey (Rockquest founder), Camille Guzzwell and Dave Ridler (NZ On Air), Malcolm Welsford , (independent producer) and Willy McAllister (assistant programme director for the Edge) - do their thing, some of the regional winners will perform, as well as established Kiwi acts Wash, Elemeno P and last year's winners, the Have.

The Wanganui garage rockers went on to play the Big Day Out, and have gigged solidly over the past year, including support slots for Pacifier, Grinspoon and Jimmy Barnes.

Despite not yet securing a record deal they have spent time in the studio (Right On made it to number 45 on the rock charts, The Fuzz debuted in the bFM Top 10 last week), filmed two music videos and secured sponsorship deals with Converse and Red Bull.

Performance

* What: CokeSmokeFreeRockquest national final

* When: tomorrow night

* Where: Bruce Mason Centre