At age 51, it's been a few years since Dave Elliott was at school, but for four Mount Maunganui College students Dave is one of the boys.
Their mates' dad inspired their band name, and he'll be the first to be dragged up on stage if they take the crown at the national final of the Smokefreerockquest on September 19 at Auckland's Power Station.
Teenagers Matt Bidois, James Kippenberger, Jack Furniss and Jacob Buchan, are the only band from the Western Bay of Plenty to make it to the national finals and their quirky name still perplexes the man who inspired it.
The band - called A Few Words from Dave - was derived quite simply, by helping Dave save an email one day. The boys are friends with Dave's daughter Kate, 16, and son Luke, 18.
"We were round at his house one night and he wanted to know how to save an email. We saved it for him and slugged the subject line 'A Few Words From Dave'.
The name has stuck, and the boys are determined to keep it.
"It's always been a bit of a joke going on [stage] that if we do well, we'll pull him up on stage ... but he's always a bit elusive," Matt said.
This time he's unlikely to get away with it.
Dave and wife Lesley were meant to be going to Australia at the time of the Smokefreerockquest for a 50th birthday but have "put that on hold to support the boys".
"It's absolutely awesome. We're absolutely stoked for them," he said.
When asked how he'd feel if the boys became famous with their ingenious band name, Mr Elliott said: "I hope they become to music what Dan Carter is to rugby, because they've put the time and effort in. I'm over the moon for them, it's not about me."
Asked if he had any musical talent himself, Mr Elliott joked: "Oh after a few rums like we all do."
The Mount rockers have had a succession of success with the Smokefreerockquest, starting with making the heats in 2007, the regionals in 2008 and now for the first time in 2009 - the nationals.
Asked what their point of difference was, Jacob joked "good haircuts," before Matt intercepted with "we have a slightly different sound."
Their music is alternative and they compare themselves with their band idols Kings of Leon and Arctic Monkeys.
The future of A Few Words from Dave hinges on whether they win the Smokefreerockquest.
If they take the competition out, they'll focus on the band full-time, if not, they're likely to head to university.
"We'll be a band regardless but how much effort we put into it depends on this," Matt said.
Band out to get A Few Words from Dave
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