Neil Robinson - the band - win Smokefreerockquest

A three piece Christchurch band that describe themselves as 'summery rock' is set for success on the kiwi music scene as the winners in this year's Smokefreerockquest held in North Shore's Bruce Mason Centre on Saturday night.

In a night where five teen bands and a soloist presented the crowd with some distinctly different sounds, the three boys from the experimental school Unlimited Paenga Tawhiti stood out as unique.

Judges - Ashley Page from Warner Music NZ, Emily Upston from NZ on Air, Brad Carter from the band Steriogram, Mark Dye from the Edge and music producer Clint Murphy - said the band had well crafted songs performed professionally, the vocalist was impressive, the sound tight and they had good interaction with the audience.

The winners will be busy this week choosing musical equipment to the value of $10,000 from NZ Rockshops and other suppliers; they also have a song recorded at York St Studio and given air play on The Edge Network, with a New Artist grant for the recording and for a video  from NZ on Air.

Chris Young, lead guitarist, vocalist and spokesman for band says they got their name Neil Robinson from a bassist they've all played with in other bands.

"We thought it was a name that was a bit different and a conversation starter," he said. "It goes with our light poppy, dance sound."

The other band members in Neil Robinson are Josh Black on bass and Hayden Williams on drums. The boys are all in their last year of school (Year 13) and say winning Smokefreerockquest makes their dream of a career in music a reality.

Neil Robinson also won the Rockquest Promotions Best Song Award, with a $500 cash prize for their song The epic battle of Jude and his monkey.

Second place, $5000 worth of NZ Rockshops vouchers, and a song recorded and released online at theset.co.nz went to Sons of Solomon from Rangitoto College, Auckland.

Third place, $3000 worth of NZ Rockshops vouchers and a song recorded and released online at theset.co.nz went to R&B soloist Moana Ete form Wellington East Girls College who also won the Smokefree Best Vocals Award and $1000 cash prize. 

The Smokefree Award for Women's Musicianship and a prize of  $1000 went to Hope Robertson, singer and guitarist from the band Zan Batman Circus of Dunedin's Kavanagh College.

The MAINZ Scholarship valued at $4225, and judged during the regional finals, went to Dylan Elise, drummer from the band Under the influence of Onslow College  Wellington

The www.Rampant.co.nz Lyric Award and a prize of $500 cash, judged by World Vision from lyrics submitted at the heats: Jessie Lee and Michael Wilson from Te Awamutu College with their song Blissful Ignorance.

The Rip It Up Media Award for a published story on Smokefreerockquest, with a commission to write for Rip It Up and a prize pack from Smokefree was won by Niicola Collins from Lincoln High School writing as Nancy Herself, with first runner-up Eliana Gray of Nelson.

Reinforcing the role of Smokefreerockquest as the 'hot-house' of kiwi music, past winners Falter and last year's winning band the Electric Confectionaires played guest spots, along with other bands who have been finalists in the event, 48 May and the WBC.

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