Between rock and hard place

John Polkinghorne (aka Archie McRiff) was impressed with some of the other contestants. Picture / Dean Purcell

Ryan Kershaw utters a profanity about his performance in Rock Star auditions, saying his guitar was "a bit quiet" and his voice was off.

But it's not very rock-starrish to put yourself down and he admits in the next breath that he was just making that up. "Actually it was awesome, went really well."

Kershaw, 23, was one of more than 50 New Zealand rock wannabes to try out for the American reality television show Rock Star in Auckland yesterday.

An international casting-call tour is under way to find a lead singer for a new group called Supernova.

Last year, Canadian J.D. Fortune won Rock Star, which saw him successfully front INXS.

Kershaw, a music teacher from Howick, sang one of his own songs, Recovery Position (In the Mind), and describes his style as psychedelic hard rock. He has played in bands and made it to the finals of the Battles of the Bands.

"I was the first-ever solo finalist."

He is impressed with the Supernova line-up which included Motley Crue drummer Tommy Lee, former Metallica bassist Jason Newsted and Guns N' Roses guitarist Gilby Clarke.

"They're all good musicians. I'd like to jam with them."

Los Angeles talent scout David Offenheiser, who was running the auditions, said he was impressed with the quality of the New Zealand contestants.

"It's been great; there's a nice cross-section of talent."

Mr Offenheiser said some definitely met the standard to continue on to Los Angeles - where 50 musicians will again audition - but there would be worldwide competition for those places.

The field would then be narrowed to 16, who would appear on the reality show later this year.

Mr Offenheiser said a select few from yesterday would be further assessed today, including a short interview, to get a feeling for their personality and that elusive rock-star x-factor.

"It's not just about the voice, it's the performance as well. That's equally important."

Contestant John Polkinghorne, 21, said he was impressed with some of those who auditioned. "There were some really good ones."

The commerce and science student wasn't too confident of his chances.

"I didn't think it went particularly well but it was an okay thing to do."