Experience paid off for Smokefreerockquest entrants this year, with four of the six national finalists announced today having been in previous national finals. Over 650 bands played off in heats and finals held in 26 towns and cities from Invercargill to Whangarei over winter, with the final selection made from DVDs of the bands' original music, judged by Tania Dean from NZ on Air and Hamish Jackson from NZ Rock Shops. In north to south order the finalists are:

Hudson and the Rocketships, Botany Downs Secondary College, Auckland, a quirky three piece indie pop band, made it to the national finals as Malford in 2007.

The Seed, Hamilton Christian School, Fairfield College and Hamilton's Fraser High School, a six piece pop rock group with a huge sound.

A Few Words From Dave, Mt Maunganui College, a four piece rock band from Tauranga.

Jayme Fitzgerald, Tauhara College, Taupo - singer songwriter and past national finalist.

These Dancing Wolves, Timaru Boys' High School, a three piece band playing ambient dance music, national finalists 2008.

The Jesse Sheehan, Wellington College, a singer songwriter who made it to the national finals last year in The Stray Dogs. The judges were impressed with the standard of the music and its presentation on DVD. "It's exciting to see the diversity and creativity of this year's top entries," they said. "These are the musicians we will see in the industry in the years to come." The six finalists will play off at the national final at Auckland's Power Station on Saturday September 19, start time 8pm, tickets from Ticketmaster on sale now. The two guest bands are Kingston and Bang! Bang! Eche! The national winner gets musical equipment from NZ Rockshops to the value of $10,000, and The Edge Airplay Award with NZ On Air where their music and video are recorded at York Street Studios with guaranteed airplay and a promotional package from myspace.com. Footage from several regional finals has been filmed for screening in September on music and youth culture television channel C4. More information is available from the official website www.smokefreerockquest.co.nz and there is information at www.myspace.com/smokefreerockquest