Video: Winning is the weirdest feeling!

“I couldn’t believe that we’d won.”

She was speaking of the moment when the judges’ decision was announced and her trio, Kerplunk, were crowned as Derbyshire Times Band of the Year.

The three-piece punk-pop outfit have been together only since September 2008, although Hope, drummer Adam Smart and bassist/singer Owen Cousins have played in other outfits before.

And Monday night’s performance at Chesterfield’s Winding Wheel was enough to impress the judging panel and take the title.

“I thought we played pretty well, I thought we put everything into it but I never thought about winning – we just wanted to have fun.”

The band, who have gigged extensively across the area, are hoping to play shows further afield next year and are planning a joint release with Firing Blanks.

And how did it feel to lift the coveted cup and be named Derbyshire Times Band of the Year?

“It’s the weirdest feeling,” said Hope.

“I couldn’t believe Educatables hadn’t won, they were really good.

“We really enjoyed playing and we’re really happy to have won.

“It’s just the weirdest feeling!”

WATCH A VIDEO OF KERPLUNK IN ACTION