Six-piece Oamaru rock band Kudos faces a busy three weeks.
The band won the Smokefree Rockquest regional finals in Timaru on Friday, along with the People's Choice Award.
For band members Joe Martin (lead vocals), Jack Sinclair (lead guitar), Kyle Andales (rhythm guitar/vocals), Shaun Andales (bass), Alex McCulloch (drums) and Shannon Martin (backing vocals) the win came as a surprise, against tough competition.
''It's pretty awesome,'' Alex (14) said.
Kudos took top honours after performing their originals No.3 and Change at Timaru's Theatre Royal.
''Those two were quite new songs - we like to do original stuff - it's fun,'' he said.
First performing on stage in the regional final programme, the band had a nerve-racking wait for the results, Alex said.
Kudos will now compete for one of eight spots in the national final.
To do that, it must put together a 15-minute performance video in the next three weeks that will be judged by a panel of industry professionals.
Alex said the band's members were feeling the pressure but would draw on their creativity and make the most of the opportunity Smokefree Rockquest offered.
''I think it's possible for us [to make the finals] if we work really hard.''
Kudos might look at recording some of its original songs but, for now, the band members were loving playing in Oamaru.
''Oamaru is kind of cool - we're always getting gigs,'' he said.
He said a ''massive'' thank you to the Oamaru community for its support, especially its role in the band's winning the People's Choice Award on Friday night.
The group of Waitaki Boys' High School, St Kevin's College and home-schooled students formed Kudos just over a year ago after meeting through the Bedford School of Music.
Bedford School of Music chief executive Jae Bedford said all six were ''naturally talented'' musicians.
Their success came down to their determination to establish themselves as an original band - ''not just another youth band''.
Mr Bedford said in the last year, they had become role models for aspiring young musicians in Oamaru and the band had the potential to win the national competition.
''They love a big stage and they know how to use it,'' he said.
