The band, made up of Logan Park High School pupils Rory MacMurdo, Miki Treadwell and Lisandru Grigorut, and Kings High School pupil Harley Jones, won the event on Saturday night at the University of Otago Union Hall.
They managed that feat despite playing music of a genre they describe as "noise rock", a genre they said yesterday was not the most accessible.
Drummer Rory MacMurdo said the band had not been afraid of what the audience would think on the night, and had played with plenty of energy.
"We were quite tight," he said.
They won vouchers for music gear for their efforts.
New York Minutes, from Timaru Boys High School, was second and also won the Rockquest Promotions Best Song Award of $100.
The band had asked to compete in Otago because members were going to be overseas next month when the Timaru play-off would be held.
The two bands now go on to compete for the six national finalist spots, with the finals to be held in Christchurch on September 5.
Rockquest Promotions founders and directors Glenn Common and Pete Rainey said it was up to the two finalists to make the most of the opportunity offered. "To be selected for the national finals, they have to make a 15-minute video of their own music," Mr Common said.
"That's going to take commitment.
They'll need to work together as a group and develop other skills that will help turn their creative talent into success."
Finalists will be selected from a pool of more than 50 videos from the first and second-placed regional finalists.
Other Otago awards went to.-Mainz Musicianship Award, with the opportunity to be selected for the $4500 Music and Audio Institute of New Zealand Scholarship, announced at the national finals: Angai Fakava, keyboard player from Jam, Otago Boys High School.
Smokefree award for women's musicianship with a prize of $150, and the APRA Lyric Writer's Award judged from lyrics submitted at the heats: Anna Macdonald, Cascade, St Hildas, for her song Ms Monro.
The Smokefree People's Choice Award: Solitaire, Bayfield High School.
Third place, winning vouchers from the NZ Rockshops and suppliers: Fun Time, Kavanagh College.
