School band star in national spotlight

Northland high school act Alien Weaponry has come second in the national final of Smokefreerockquest. Photo / Supplied

A Northland high school band is riding a wave of success after coming second in two events, including the national final of the country's largest music competition Smokefreerockquest.

Alien Weaponry, from Bream Bay College and Otamatea High School, is made up of teenagers brothers Lewis de Jong (guitar/vocals), Henry de Jong (drums), and Ethan Trembath (bass).

On Friday night the youngsters came second in the Smokefreerockquest final at Auckland's Raye Freedman Centre after a performance that impressed the judges.

They also came second during the Smokescreen Pacifica Beats on Saturday.

In addition, the band scooped the Youth Performance Trust's Native Reo award.

The judges were particularly impressed by their song in te reo - Ruana Te Whenua - about their great-great-great-grandfather's role at the battle of Gate Pa. Alien Weaponry won $5000 in Rockshop vouchers for their second-place performance.

Seven years of Smokefreerockquest experience paid off for Mt Maunganui band Joe's Van who were named the top teen band in New Zealand at Friday night's national final. Singer songwriter Ben Mollison, also from Tauranga, was named the top solo act.

Joe's Van win $10,000 in Rockshop vouchers, a $10,000 NZ On Air recording, video and promo package; a "Decent Exposure" campaign on Edge TV, a photo shoot with Thievery Studio, and a branding package from Imaginary Friends.

There were over 700 entries in Smokefreerockquest this year, playing off in 23 centres from Invercargill to Kerikeri. The final judges were Hamish Jackson (Rockshop), Damien Daniels (Edge TV), Jeff Newton (NZ on Air), and musicians Matt Warman from Midnight Youth, and Chelsea Jade.