Band's Smokefreerockquest hopes

Whakatane High School's Attic Sky's will be sharing the same stage with a stellar lineup of New Zealand music later this month.

The Bay of Plenty-based band - Ollie Butler, Riley Brightwell and Miles Sutton - are one of six bands from throughout New Zealand vying for the top spot of the Smokefreerockquest National Final in Hamilton.

This is the third time the band have entered the contest, the second time they have been successful at regional level but the first time Attic Sky's had made the final.

Bass player and vocalist Riley Brightwell thinks they stood out with their high energy punk-melodic sound.

"We are really into our energy - we jump around lots," Brightwell said.

"And the way we interlay our melodies also help us to sound different."

Their final selection came after a sensational video made by the band, wowed judges.

The six top bands play off for the country's biggest youth music prize at Claudelands Arena, while the same night, rock concert Kiwi Cream will deliver a stellar lineup of Shihad, Supergroove, Opshop and Kids of 88.

The guest acts have been confirmed for the Smokefreerockquest final with high-energy chart topper Dane Rumble leading the lineup. The other guest act is the 2010 Smokefreerockquest winners, The Good Fun from the small Waikato town of Pirongia.

The top six bands playing off at the national final in Hamilton on September 17 are:

Get off the Grass, Rangitoto College North Shore, Auckland

Massad, Sacred Heart College Auckland

Attic Sky's, Whakatane High School, Bay of Plenty

A Bit Nigel, Taupo-nui-a-Tia College, Taupo, Rotorua region

The Velvet Regime, Naenae College and Hutt Valley High School, Wellington region

The Peasants, Garin College, Nelson

At stake is a prize package designed as a big helping hand into the music industry. It includes a NZ On Air new recording and music video grant worth $10,000, a place on the NZ On Air Kiwi Hit Disc, musical gear to the value of $10,000 from NZ Rockshops, recording time and radio promotional support for a single.

The Smokefreerockquest finals will run from 4-6pm on September 17, tickets $10 from Ticketek or at the door.