Rocking on

SAM BAKER/Manawatu Standard

BATTLING IT OUT: Smokefree rockquest finalists Syria from Palmerston North Girls' High and Feilding High School Michael Exton, Sam McGregor, Anna Monteith, Shane Hendra, and Bradyn Cooper on drums let The Regent crowd have it last night.

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The hair is wild and sometimes greasy, the bass is loud and the dancing is fast and freaky.

It's the Manawatu finals of the Smokefreerockquest, and hundreds of fans have turned out to see the best high school bands battle it out for top spot.

At 8pm there were girls swinging cowboy hats, a boy rocking out in a rainbow shirt, a guy in full KISS makeup with shiny black tights - and that was just the crowd.

The night began on a mellow note, as Palmerston North Boys' High's Adam Gibson elicited squeals from the ladies with his keyboard and crooning combination.

But as the dreadlocked lead singer of Horowhenua College's Initial Intention grasped the microphone, and the smoke swirled green in the light above, the moshing began.

What some may have feared was the beginning of a massive rumble turned out to be a new form of "extreme" moshing.

As a circle opened up in the crowd, people began plunging into it, bashing into each other left and right.

A guy charged into the midst of the scrap, only to emerge moments later clutching his face ."Oh, my eye!" he said, grinning proudly at his mates.

The death circle melted away with the smooth sounds of Waiopehu College's reggae group Zoultap, their personal fanclub swaying a giant, purple, glittery Z.

It was all pretty impressive, so it begs the question - what are these guys judged on?

Rockquest organiser Dan Kendrick: "There's consistency in songwriting, energy, communication between the band, commitment, originality, and dare I say it, commercial viability."

Practiced musicians will stand out from recently formed bands - but everyone should have a crack.

"For teenagers who aren't necessarily academic or sports orientated, it's great.

"In the past decade, pretty much every famous Kiwi band has had involvement with rockquest; Flight of the Conchords, Bic Runga, Kora, Opshop. . ."

Back on the stage, Palmerston North Boys' High's Us As Robots' polished two-song set had the crowd swaying.

Two bands later, it was judging time.

Third place went to Zoultap, as an appreciative Z shook with pleasure.

Second was Awatapu College's The Kleptics, and first place went to Palmerston North Boys' High's latest and greatest talent, Us As Robots.