Judges looking for Croydon's hottest unsigned music act in Testing 1,2,3 competition have whittled down the entrants to just six in each of the three categories.This week Patsy Payne met up for a chat with some of the hopefuls in the Bands category going through to the final heats later this month at the Braithwaite Hall, Croydon.

Gordon Hall (also Gordon Schmitt) is playing on hip-hop night under the banner Unknown, although he is also through to the Bands heat final with his Queezy Fish band.

Said Gordon, a student at Croydon College: "I have been involved with drumming most of my teenage years, 8 years with the marching snare drum then I progressed to Grade 2.

After lesson he played in school bands and orchestras and then in his local baptist church. He's an accomplished musician with skills in guitar, piano, trumpet, xylophone, timpani and basic percussion.

"Two years ago I joined Drum Sense where I had lessons from professional Colin Woolway.

"I really learned a lot including different techniques and felt I really progressed as a drummer."

He still plays at his old church and is learning music technology and how to use a sound desk.

He said: "It's helped me to develop playing with different people and developed my understanding of the music industry."

And as for the heats: "I'm quite excited about this and feeling quite pumped.

And as for his rendition of Crazy in Love, a requirement of all participants, he says: "We hope to make it our own without losing the feel of the original."

LIVELY pop-rock-indie is the forte of Oil on Canvas, Tommy Woods' band which is through to the heats in 123 Testing music contest.

Tommy, 25, plays bass and occasionally trumpet in the band which also features Rob Dearan, Rafael Monteiro and Jay Hirona.

Well established as a musician it was two and a half years ago that Tommy joined the team need a new bass player. Now the manager for Oil on Canvas he also freelances sound for films and for slide venues.

The band writes all its own material and has played at various venues including Croydon's Green Dragon, Scream Lounge and the Croydon summer Festival.

"We'd love to play there again," said Tommy.

His song Frogtown was used in BBC3's comedy Off The Hook

Frogtown was also played on BBC Radio 1 and Game On has been played on BBC Radio 6

He said: "We are writing music for the film I Am A Great Man which will be out soon and we are also writing music for a ballet in Portugal."

Oil on Canvas have performed and often sold out venues such as The Scala, O2 Islington Academy, 229 Club, Barfly, Water Rats, Proud and many more.

And on an even brighter note Tommy is pleased to report that a number of independent labels have been in touch. "One is currently being considered," he added.

The band's debut single Wild Strawberries will be released in the coming months. Their video was launched earlier this week.

"IT'S not the winning that matters - of course it would be nice, but the main thing is getting our music out there," so says bass player Mike Harley, 19, whose band Inhaled is through to the final six band heats.

Inhaled features four musicians including Justin Prentice 19 the lead guitarists who is expert at riff writing, Hanna Tailleur, 17, rhythm guitar and Elijah Ajose 21.

They all met while on a band enrichment class at Croydon College.

Explained Mike: "We were told to just go in a room and make music. It was amazing because that's what we did, just started playing together - we really gelled.

"I love music and we are all really passionate about music. Justin will be playing a riff, I start playing and that's it - brilliant."

Their recorded demo disc 'Inhaled demo tapes - suck' is on my space.com/inhaled1. They are also on facebook under inhaled.

At Croydon College studying music technology for a BTech National Diploma, Mike aims to follow this with university where he hopes to gain a degree in Music Technology and Music Business.

"Most of us want this or to work in the industry," he said.

He started his love of music with learning to play the clarinet but after two years decided to follow in his dad's footsteps and started to play the guitar. That was 10 years ago and now he is into playing bass. He said: "I just thought I'd give it a go - its easier to write for and when you play its just you and the music."

His passion for the craft is tangible and he is thrilled that the band will be performing at the 123 Testing heats. He is also looking forward to the band's appearances at the Jolly Farmer and Vintage Bars in Croydon at 7pm on February 24 and 25.

The band Strange Blues and is made up of Hanna Tailleur on lead guitar, Tina Richards on vocals, Jeauniel on keys, Justin Prentice on bass and Elijah Tolex Gerald on drums.

The group have been working together for one year and have performed a number of college gigs, including one at the Half Moon Pub at Herne Hill.

Their blues and jazz style can be heard at two forthcoming gigs as well as Testing 1,2,3 – the Jolly Farmer in Purley on February 24, and The Vintage Pub on February 25.

For Testing the group will be playing two original Pieces called Penni and It Flows, as well as a cover of Beyonce's hit single, Crazy In Love.

●For Croydon music gigs' listings see this week's Croydon Advertiser