The five piece band, which formed in 2007, took an unhurried approach to their set of self styled "alt-rock/indie" material.
Not afraid to ring the changes, their material ranged from lyrically top heavy up-tempo to reggae styled rhythms and even a mock rock number with Black Sabbath riffs and a dig at fellow Leeds outfit Kaiser Chiefs.
With vocals shared round and even a touch of Jimmy Page style guitar bowing, they look like being a line-up to watch.
Also making their Blackpool debut – and a good impression – were opening line-up, Preston-based Screams of Cold Winter. Their eponymous opening number set out their stall for a solidly and professionally delivered set of metal/goth and post punk. Trish Lee is a formidable frontwoman – delivering excellent and clear vocals above a powerhouse backing from band members.
Having opened the evening twice before, Blackpool four-piece Kaseno were clearly relieved to land the second slot this year. Despite a quiet past 12 months they continue to grow in confidence and have a surprise or two in store for their loyal fan base next year.
Pete Searle boasts a raunchy rock voice and works hard delivering their stock rock. A trio of new numbers worked well and blended with their more familiar material – though Dreams is still a wise choice to end a set with.
The annual competition wouldn't be the same without the "garage rock 'n' roll" of The Drop Out Wives. Frequently unintentionally hilarious, dreadlocked frontman Stormy Weathers makes incoherence an art form and would give Roy Chubby Brown a run for his money in his use of language.
The band is what cults are made of and a refreshing antidote to taking things too seriously – even inviting members of last year's winners The Locals to join them – and clearly forgetting the 25 minute time limit underneath their Ramones and Chuck Berry riffs.
The Dirty Daggers started their second successive stab at making it through to the final with some Jim Morrisson-style vocals from frontman Dave Moore. The five-piece Blackpool band boast a wall of sound and deliver a hard-working rock posture on a gritty set which takes few prisoners.
It was certainly a night for strong vocals. Final band Shen last appeared in the Gazette competition back in its Copperface Jack's days – though they have changed considerably in the interim years.
The imaginatively re-invented vocalist Pikail Formblaze makes the most of his operatically trained voice to deliver a well drilled set of performance rock backed by a tight three-piece and sound which would give various Scandinavian rockers a run for their money.
Next Friday sees six more contestants try for the last automatic place in the December 11 final – with The Free Love Band replacing Makers of Venice and joining Paul Berry, KPLG, Troubadour, Switchboard Spectacular and The Valvetronics.
Vote for our favourite band on rockquest@blackpoolgazette.co.uk – the band with most e-mail votes will also be back on December 11 together with the highest scoring runner-up
Robin Duke