Mumbai: This year`s edition `[V] Launch Pad` will rock Channel [V] from this month, looking for the country`s hottest rock band in a nationwide search.

The three judges for this edition are Amit Saigal, founder of Rock Street Journal, Helga`s Funk Castle`s Gino Banks and Channel [V]`s Luke Kenny.

16 bands have been short listed from across the country and will battle it out over eight weeks for their ticket to fame. The winner will get once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to perform at Hard Rock Caf©, New York and also record a music video with Channel [V].

Announcing the battle, Channel [V] Head Honcho Amar K. Deb said, "[V] remains committed to promote and discover musical talent. Most rock bands never get a stage and end up on the sidelines. With [V] Launch Pad, we will hotwire this process and trace the best rock bands of the country!"

Having already started, the competition will continue every Saturday between 4 - 7pm @ Hard Rock Caf©, (Mumbai). At the end of eight weeks, based on the weekly cumulative ratings, four bands will be chosen to perform at the mega finals.

V] Launch Pad will be hosted by VJ Juhi along with stars and rock legends like Uday Benegal, Ravi Iyer, D`Wood, Dhruv Ghanekar, Naresh & Paresh, Mahesh Tinaikar, Nitin Malik and Farhad Wadia as guest jury during the auditions.

Commenting on the association, Jay Singh, CEO Hard Rock Cafe said, "It gives us great pleasure to promote new and upcoming talent in the Indian Rock industry. Given the rich musical legacy Hard Rock Caf©, the venue is perfectly in sync with the intent and purpose of Channel [v]`s Launch Pad."

The previous season on [V] Launch Pad saw electrifying performances, an unprecedented quality of competition, amazing new songs written by the contestants and an outstanding range of rock music, culminating in a hugely successful concert. Mumbai based band `ZERO` walked away with top honors in last year`s competition, setting them on their path to rock greatness.