"2014 BOTB will be my third year as a proud sponsor, through my company Rock You Mental. 2012 & 2013 with co-sponsors MusicWorks and Paiste Cymbals.

Thanks to the success of the competition and valuable exposure gained, I am proud to announce that Tama Drums has joined the party as Rock You Mental’s third co-sponsor for 2014! We can't wait.

‘’BOTB just gets better and better! Rock You Mental and my co-sponsors MusicWorks, Paiste and Tama couldn’t be happier. Andrew and his team at BOTB have provided us with all the exposure, promotion and return a sponsor could ever ask for.

The level of organisation, skill and precision of previous events has been amazing and a pleasure to be a part of. This year, we will give even more, with the latest Tama and Paiste gear, time, tech, backline support and prizes. BOTB deserves it.
Bring on BOTB 2014... A great opportunity for new bands of all kinds to show their stuff on the big stage".

Dave Morello
Official Tama and Paiste Artist
Founder - Rock You Mental

"Where else do you get the opportunity to share the stage with funk, metal, rap, pop, rock, country, punk, grunge, techno, blues and R&B bands?"

Rob Fisher
Drummer – The Blacklight Configuration

"Participated 3 times, every time was a rich rewarding experience for each band. Great atmosphere, super professional and exceptionally well organized!"

Tony Burke
Singer / songwriter / guitarist – Black Sea Sirens & House of Valve

"I have attended many BOTB shows at Brewers Bar in BOP as well as attended the National Finals in AKL to support our local bands. Every gig is well organised & awesome to watch. Great to see so many different genres & local talent able to share their passion".

Debbie Smith
Music fan / band supporter Tauranga

"Since 1999 I've had the Privilege and Pleasure of hearing some top musicians as they evolve and develop. The Battle of The Bands National Championship is the Premiere Competition for emerging bands in New Zealand.
I personally attend three to five gigs a week… (Yip got a very understanding wife!) I feel this keeps me up with what’s happening. Judging the event, you’re kept on your toes, invariably there's a funk band followed by a metal band, a rock band, a reggae band and maybe a ska band to follow... To keep things fair, the bands each draw their running order position from a hat, it's totally random so it’s not even as if you could place them in an order that may flow/gel better... The fairness continues as we have strict guidelines/ judging criteria which do not include your personal favourite as a category and relate across the Musical smorgasbord.... looking at 2 or 3 categories for example....

• Musicianship.... your genre has nothing to do with your ability to competently/professionally play your drums, bass, guitar, sax etc...
• Professionalism.... likewise whatever sounds you’re gonna lay on us... are you a tight professional unit
• Image.... Well have you got a plan, have you made an effort, are you visually representing the genre you’re performing? (think of Split Enz... it was the whole package, sight, sound, performance.... stage presence, behaviour etc.; Split Enz also got their big break from a band contest, New Faces…)

The Battle of the Bands is an event open to bands of all genres that provides many opportunities, some of which include

• The chance to play to a wider/larger audience than they might otherwise experience
• Judge and peer group feedback of a meaningful nature
• Networking with musicians and Industry personnel/players

These opportunities aren't available anywhere else in New Zealand.

There's a Lot of successful Musicians who have come through the Battle.

Paul Mathews, bassist, composer and chief lyricist with I Am Giant was in Tadpole, Defunkt & Stylus, all winners or finalists in previous year’s BOTB events. I Am Giant’s drummer Shelton was also a previous finalist with his band at the time Blindspott. (Just beaten that year by Mama Said, who later morphed into 48 May).

Marika Hodgson, of Liquid Colours won best Bass player in the Battle and has toured Europe extensively and just played Montreal Fest. as bassist for Holly Smith.

There Four Walls are now living on the Gold coast making inroads into the Australian industry, 4 or 5 albums after BOTB successes.

Harlem Mackenzie of Lapser (1999- 2000) was guitarist of the year/s, has just toured Japan with Sons of Zion.

Souljah are on their 2nd or 3rd album and tour frequently.

Jenny Skulander of Slipping Tounge (Another BOTB Finalists) is currently touring her new album with Devilskin, whose album recently reached number 1 in the NZ charts.

Devilskin’s guitar player Nail was also a previous winner in his previous band Chuganaut in 2004” Jason Kerrison & Tim Skeddon of the famous bands Op Shop & The Babysitters Circus also won the event with their previous band FUNGI back in 1997.

This list goes on of musicians and bands that have benefitted from competing in BOTB.

Tony Orwin
Regular Auckland BOTB judge since 1999