A group of Arrowtown Primary School pupils won the regional final of the Bandquest competition in Dunedin last Monday.
The band said their practice sessions increased from five to seven the week before the competition.
When their name - which is the combination of two cats that frequent the school, one called Freckles and the other Mangoes - was not called out as the third or second place-getter, the band admitted to being nervous.
Drummer Rafe Swan added ''it was really fun [and] we almost didn't care if we won''.
The six-piece beat 12 other bands competing at the Dunedin leg of the competition, which is the younger sibling of the Smokefreerockquest.
Bass guitarist Jensen Forsyth, lead guitarist Jack Ryan and Rafe are keen to continue the band when they go to Wakatipu High School.
Jack has thought of an album name and written an original song, Don't Contradict Me, which they performed at the contest and hoped to record.
''If we win nationals, we record the song anyway.''
The band members said their music tastes ranged from metal to pop and rock.
After returning from Dunedin, the band had to film themselves playing and send the clip for the judging of the national competition, which is done online.
More than 140 bands entered this year.
The national winner will be announced on December 2.
