Southampton hip-hop sensation The Common swept other would-be musical stars aside to win the Road to the Wedge battle of the bands.

The competition has been raging throughout 2010 with regular heats at Southampton’s popular Joiners Arms venue.

Eight finalists took to the stage at the larger Wedgewood Rooms, Portsmouth on Hallowe’en night.

The £1,000 winner’s prize went to the relatively new band, The Common, who also get recording time at Ranch Studio, Nursling and a session with David Ransom Photography as part of the first prize.

Around 100 bands started out in the competition with The Common, Preacher, The 3rd League, Caught in the Crossfire, Casablancas, Drowned by Oceans, Eight Tide Suicide and Mothership making it to the Wedgewood Rooms.

The Common’s lyricist and singer Mike Brown said: “It was a wicked atmosphere at the Wedge for the final and it was sweet seeing the reaction from people who hadn’t seen us play before.

“I had to go into the competition thinking that we would win so I could give my best performance though I knew the level of competition was high.”

The band, who dressed Hallowe’en-style for the occasion, plan to spend the rest of the year writing and recording before answering an increasing demand for gigs around the south.

See myspace.com/wearethecommon.