THEY may be used to performing at church services but that did not stop Glenwood-based band 11:59 from winning the Macarthur Clash band competition last month.
The band, whose members met during their studies at religious college Hillsong, play outside Villawood Immigration Detention Centre every Sunday morning.
Their beats proved popular at the Clash final, held at Ingleburn RSL, but keyboard player and singer Stu Hawkins said the win was unexpected. ``It took us completely by surprise,'' he said.
``We assumed a real Australian band would win.''
Hawkins, like two others from 11:59, is from Britain and has lived in Australia for the past three years. One of band member also moved here from Canada.
``We like to think we're a Brit pop band that lives in Australia,'' he said. ``We seem a little different certainly to the bands we see in pubs.''
But 11:59 are no strangers to the Sydney pub circuit.
They have played around Manly and at the Annandale Hotel.
The prize included having their songs recorded, a filmed music video clip and marketing and promotional material.
11:59 will release some Christmas songs on their Myspace page next month.
Macarthur Clash runners-up were bands Burn the Dire Moments and Dynamic State.
Visit myspace.com/oneonefivenine to hear 11:59 music, or buy their track Smaller Skies through iTunes.