The pop-punk outfit, made up of Jack Cotter, Xav Frost, Danny Cullinan and Will Clark, entered the Kool Skools competition with no idea they would be successful.

The St Patrick's College boys won the Victorian JB Hi Fi Project Performing Award, securing a 40-hour professional recording session and a photo shoot for album covers and publicity.

The also won a place in the finals that were held in Etihad Stadium, where they were named the best pop-punk band in Victoria.

"Each year only two bands from Australia are chosen to do recording in a professional studio and we were lucky enough to be one of them," Will said.

"We got to record an album at Studio 52 in Melbourne. It was a really good experience, very professional."

They hope the experience will land them more gigs in Ballarat and Melbourne.

* Unsafe Thort have released a self-titled album featuring six original songs, which will soon be available at JB Hi Fi or through their website www.myspace.com/unsafethort. Go to our website and listen to Unsafe Thort.