South Otago High School band Alterego is gearing up for another moment in the spotlight as it, along with 13 other Otago school bands play-off in the Smokefreerockquest 2009 Otago regional final in Dunedin tomorrow night.
It will be the band's second foray at the rockquest event after winning a place in the finals during the regional elimination round last month.
Band member Leon Jury (18) said the group was formed about three months ago, initially to compete at the musical event, but it would definitely stay together afterwards as the foursome - Nick Pomeroy (16), guitar, Eli Waddingham (16), drums, William Wright (14), bass, and he - were enjoying their collaboration.
The metal band exerts plenty of energy on stage, but enjoys the physical side of their performance almost as much as the songs and music.
They were hoping to do well tomorrow night, but also enjoyed meeting other bands.
Smokefreerockquest director Pete Rainey said the event gave school bands a realistic taste of live performance in a formula that would be replicated in 25 other regional centres around New Zealand during winter.
"There is no other youth music event that is nationwide in the same sense as Smokefreerockquest. Whether the kids are from remote country schools or big city colleges, they all get a realistic taste of musical success complete with sound system, full lighting and a mosh pit."
The bands competing tomorrow are:Echoroom (Bayfield High School), Sewage (Logan Park High School), Insane During Six (Taieri College), Queen Anne's Revenge (Logan Park High School), Jam and the Slydogs (Otago Boys High School), Soma Holiday (Taieri College), tff (Logan Park/Kings High Schools), Sour Creams and Chives (Taieri College), Beyond the Sun (John McGlashan College, Queens High, Kings High School), Scout (St Hildas Collegiate), Libby Larsen (Taieri College), Lawson (Macandrew Intermediate), Alterego (South Otago High School) and Mitchell Smith (Otago Boys High School).
The final will be staged at the Student Union Hall from 8pm.
Two finalists and the people's choice winner will then go into the mix of bands which will be whittled down to six to compete in the national final in Auckland.
