The teenage rock trio from Wanaka will be hoping for beginner's luck at the national finals of the Smokefree Rockquest in a bid for their own slice of musical heaven.
Slur-Tones frontman Fabian Shaw and bassist Yannick Weastell have won their way through to the national finals, after being crowned Southern Lakes regional rockquest winners for the past three years.
Joined by new drummer Alistair Mawhinney this year, the group will need all of the experience it can muster when its turn to perform on the Christchurch Town Hall stage comes, about 8pm tomorrow.
The trio all confessed to more than their usual share of pre-gig nerves and were excited about delivering a winning performance.
"We've put in the practice hours, but it's going to be different playing away from Wanaka.
"Usually, we've always had heaps of local support whenever we've played [at rockquest]," Fabian said.
The Slur-Tones members are hoping they can give new drummer Alistair the perfect 18th birthday present come Friday night and are planning a massive celebration if they win.
The group's parents and friends are travelling to Christchurch to lend their support for finals night.
"It feels really good to finally make it into the national finals after giving it a crack four years in a row," Fabian said.
The competition is wide open this year with all six finalists appearing at their first national rockquest concert performance.
The Slur-Tones will play three songs - a new composition, plus two of the songs they recorded to make the final.
You can post messages of support for the Wanaka musicians, view their band profile and listen to their songs at www.myspace.com/theslurtones.
The group flies to Christchurch tomorrow afternoon and will bring home $10,000 worth of Rockshop vouchers if its name is read out as the concert's winning performer.
