Tauranga band beats a gremlin to take Battle of the Bands

Tauranga band Stardrunk are beyond pinching themselves - "We're punching each other now," says delighted bass player Dan Rubock.

A two-song, 10-minute set has seen the band win the Battle of the Bands national final, topping nine other acts from around the country at a concert held in Auckland at the weekend.

Stardrunk - Rubock, vocalist Andrew Holmes, guitarist Aden Mackness and drummer Dylan Raethel - win a big prize package, including recording, mastering and releasing a single.

However, their triumph didn't come without a moment or two of panic, Rubock said.

Mackness' guitar rig "died" just 30 seconds before the band was due to kick off.

Rubock had to pull it to pieces to sort out the problem.

"I thought that had put us off the pace," Rubock said.

He didn't think his band stood a chance, with the very high calibre of the other groups.

But the Bay of Plenty representatives came away not only with the premiere prize but also the awards for best guitarist, best drummer and best song-writing.

- NZPA