GBHS band T.M.B win regional rock quest

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

Reggae rhythm and blues band T.M.B from Gisborne Boys' High School took out first place at this year's East Coast regional Smokefreerockquest final at Lawson Field Theatre last night.

Vocalist Manawa Randall, 16, said he was surprised.“The win came out of the blue,” he said.

“We all just looked at each other and smiled and felt a sense of relief and surprise.

“I'm proud of all the boys and the mahi we put into it. The atmosphere was amazing. The crowd was full and pumping. The lights and fog made everything feel surreal.

“Everyone in the band held their own. All of us had our own part and played it the best we could,” he said.

The other members of T.M.B are Tawhiri Kirikiri (guitar, vocals), Lehi Te Hau (keys), Roman Benson (guitar), Jackson Clarke (guitar), Ned Clarke (bass), Michael Wilson (drums). They also won the Smokefree Tangata Beats Award.

Second place in the band category went to The Rabbits from Lytton High School and Gisborne Boys' High School.

They join solo-duo winners for East Coast Teifi Clarke from Gisborne Girls' High School (first) and Ella Harris from Gisborne Girls' High School (second) with the opportunity to submit a video of their original material for selection as one of the top 10 national finalists to play off in Auckland on September 18th.

T.M.B also won the Smokefree Tangata Beats Award and Nga Rau Mahara from Gisborne Girls' High School were second.

Full results and pictures on Monday.