The foursome- David Metcalfe, Zac Baccardax, Chris O'Kane and Mark Hostrawser- is an "energetic and outgoing" lot of 17-year-olds who have written and composed several original tracks.

Earlier this year, Verona took second place at the Shining Stars competition held at Mississauga's Living Arts Centre. This month, the band will battle again for the title of Youth Rising Star in the prestigious CNE talent competition.

"We ended up playing really well (at the audition), but there was so much other great competition that we didn't think we'd get in," admitted Metcalfe, guitar player and lead vocalist for Verona. "Two weeks later, we got a letter saying we were selected."

The preliminary competition takes place on Aug. 19. Finalists in that round will move on to the semi-final on Aug. 27, and those selected to compete for the top ranking will vie for the title on Aug. 31.

Metcalfe describes Verona's music as punk rock- "a clash between Blink 182 and Billy Talent."

Though there hasn't yet been much opportunity to play on stage, other than a gig at Chinguacousy Park on Canada Day and a performance at Toronto's The Reverb, the band is hoping the release of their album will spark a local live performance circuit.

"We're recording an album on August 28 and after that we'll try to send it out to indie labels, and we'll go from there," said Metcalfe.

Spectators at the CNE event need to pay the price of admission to the park.

To learn more about Verona, visit www.myspace.com/veronalive.