We have a winner!
IT'S official! Kernuyck are the glorious winners of The Herald's South West Battle of the Bands 2009, writes Matt Fleming.
The Cornish band put on an immense set at The Hippo on Saturday night and took the coveted trophy after a unanimous decision from the judges in what was quite simply the best final the competition has seen in its five-year history. Almost 300 people packed the venue and cheered on four superb bands.
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The Kernuyck lads, who also scored highly on the audience 'clapometer', couldn't believe they'd won, particularly after being drafted in as a reserve in the heats when there were still 32 bands in the contest.
Frontman James Rotherham, 23, said: "We were dumbstruck.
"We were amazed we got through the first round. The trophy will sit proudly in the studio.
"It was a fantastic competition with so many talented bands from the South West."
Plymouth ska band Avalon Groove opened on Saturday with a masterful performance which featured awesome crowd interaction, fantastic harmonies and even a stage dive.
Torquay band Os Vampiros followed up with their best performance to date. The rocky outfit were full of energy, had plenty of swagger and played some of the best self-penned songs in the competition. They deserved to finish in second place. Frontman Oli Cardall said: "It was the best performance we've ever done."
Kernuyck then hit the stage and showed their true power and grit from the word go. The trio were awesome and will go on to be on a leading metal band in the South West – and hopefully beyond. The Teleheads, from Plymouth, finished with a polished punky set. The lads are only young and will certainly go on to bigger and better things.
So Kernuyck are this year's winners. They took the £1,000 prize from sponsor St Austell Brewery, as well as four days' studio time at Plymouth's Deep Blue Sound and 200 CDs and digital distribution to iTunes from city firm www.thegenepool.co.uk, as well as other prizes.
See www.myspace.com/kernuyck to find out more about our winners.
6 Comments
by ben jones, torquay
Wednesday, September 16 2009, 10:07PM
“os vampiros deserved to win by far they tore the place to shreads and the winner just another trashy metal band with nothing new to their sound sorry but os rocked it as always!! they were tight and played the best ive ever seen them play plus won on the clapometer as well. unlucky boys!! the winners just utter trash!! avalon groove were pretty solid to!!”
by James, Efford
Wednesday, September 16 2009, 8:56PM
“Personally, I think The Teleheads are overated and alot of their success has just been playing on the fact theyre so young. As Tom says, avalon groove are just as young- yet held their own with what has to be regarded as a more mature, unique sound!”
by Rhino, Plymouth
Wednesday, September 16 2009, 3:38PM
“They all did well and are all lucky to be top 4 bands in the south west... ur true age hasnt got anything to do with it.. but well done lads :) still not keen on Os Vampeiros but thats my opinion :) well done every1 :) x”
by Tom, Plymouth
Wednesday, September 16 2009, 9:36AM
“I think its unfair to say that due to the teleheads being 17 they should have come second. Os Vampiros were tighter and played a more complete set. Avalon Groove are all 17 also so i cant see age as an excuse.”
by Mick, Plymouth
Monday, September 14 2009, 9:57PM
“Well done to Kernuyck, must admit they deserved it on the night, however, yet again in Plymouth when there is real talent and young up and coming bands we say there time will come again. They definately deserved 2nd. We should be pushing this young talent, thats why bands in other parts of the country get to the top. They are 17 year old lads Did not help the clapometer breaking and I hope they finally get the recognition they deserve next year. Come on Judges, get with the programme. they ROCK.”
by Rhino, Plymouth
Monday, September 14 2009, 8:40PM
“Teleheads were brilliant and have influenced alot of teenagers if not adults. When it comes to the write up they deserve alot more then 2 lines... its amazing that they made it to the finals expecially being the youngest there! it doesnt help that the clap-o-meter when bust on there cheer when the first cheer was deffinatly loader! Well done to the teleheads every1 is still rele happy you made it this far and hope 2 see you win next year!!! Os Vampirosm on the otherhand definalty didnt deserve to make the top 2 as there stage performace where shocking and they where the weakest band playing that night!
GO TELEHEADS ALL THE WAY!!!!!!!”