The Riptide Movement and Seven Days through to the final of Tiger Untamed

It was the closest call in the competition so far, according to one member of the judging panel who had been to every round from the very first heat onwards.

Seven Days, who formed in Ballyfermot's 'rock school' four years ago, impressed with some seriously tight tunes - above and beyond the call of duty in terms of sheer technical proficiency - and narrowly nosed ahead when the audience's votes were counted. But a blistering set from retro-sounding blues rockers The Riptide Movement turned the judges heads and scooped the Lucan four-piece the first of the two places up for grabs in the June 11 final.

It was kind of a hometown gig for Seven Days, who boast one Mullingar man in their ranks, but going by the woops of approval when The Riptide Movement launched into a couple of singles, it seems the Annebrook Hotel had been infiltrated by a legion of undercover Dubs.

No doubt there'll be a mass exodus from the capital to Westmeath for next month's final, when Seven Days and Riptide join The Spikes and Peakin' Trippers to battle it out for a prize worth €20,000. The prize includes a week's recording time in NutShed Recording Studio, €6,000 worth of gear from Music Maker, professional photo and video shoots and a cool €5,000 in cash. Oh and coverage in some music magazine...'Heat Press' or something it's called...