In a hard fought night of local rock the four piece proved too difficult to beat, with all four judges putting them in first place.
It was the band's second stab at the competition and the last 12 months has seen them develop into a thoroughly confident and extremely tight unit.
Matt Billington's vocals were strong and Tom Gillespie's lead guitar work distinctive in a carefully crafted and well balanced set of original material.
Opening any night is never easy but opening the first heat is the worst spot of all. Fortunately Goonies Never Say Die have the experience and confidence to carry it off. Much of their 25 minute set came from their debut album release In a Forest Without Trees.
Opting to remain an instrumental band they are very much a big production progressive rock outfit without the usual diversion of a frontman – leaving their material like a soundtrack waiting for a film.
Young Poulton band The Cardinals opened their set with an acoustic number – a gamble which didn't quite pay off. Likewise featuring three cover versions was also a risk – especially when taking on such luminaries as Arctic Monkeys, The Kinks and Jack Pinate. But they have plenty of potential and enthusiasm and their original material revealed considerable promise.
Mauser formed last year and is largely a fusion of veterans Chang and former competition winners Sound of Superstring. Their image is somewhere between Clockwork Orange and Heath Ledger's Joker, their music an original combination of post punk, retro grunge and some surprisingly commercial moments.
Closing the night was Inflight Recorder. Only formed in September last year the band has already gained a strong reputation for its solid delivery and quality hard rocking. Frontman Rob Strefford has a classic rock voice and all four band members have a stage confidence honed in a succession of pub gigs. What they lacked in innovation they gained in familiarity – and check out that classy bass!
Whilst only one band automatically goes through into the final on December 11 The Original Rock Quest 2009 dream is far from over.
Two wildcard places will remain in the competition until after the curtain falls on heat three in two weeks time. The highest scoring runner up band and the one gaining the most e-mail votes from Gazette readers will join the final.
All you have to do is send your vote to rockquest@blackpoolgazette.co.uk and you could help your favourite band on its way to a chance of the £1,500 first prize.
Heat two takes place in the Tower Lounge next Friday featuring The Dirty Daggers, The Drop Out Wives, Kaseno, (OK), Scream of Cold Winter and Shen.