Two Fayetteville-born musicians are in the finals of the “NO COVER” music competition with their band, Night Spins.

Josh Brocki and Manq Minniefee are Fayetteville natives. They play music together and have attended live shows together around town.

“We grew up in Fayetteville, and our parents were both in the theater together. So we’re just kind of forced to be around each other. And it wasn’t until high school we formed a band. We kind of developed a friendship to play music ever since,” Brocki told Up & Coming Weekly. “As a teenager, every weekend, seeing metal bands and punk bands and that was a really big influence on my part, just when it comes to live music. Being able to be there at such a young age with all these wild bands playing their hearts out.”

Brocki went to college and met drummer Jesse Starr who knew bassist Andrew “Ace” Jernigan.

They all moved to New York and created their band.

“They’re from Texas. We’re from North Carolina. So southern guys in the city,” Brocki said.

When the pandemic started in 2020, and the band was stuck inside, not performing, Brocki said they decided to apply for the "NO COVER" competition.

"NO COVER" is a reality competition show on YouTube that pits “the world’s top unsigned artists against each other that actually write, record and play their own original music.” Celebrity judges and coaches vote for each band based on songwriting, performance, presentation and the “it” factor.

Some of the judges this season include Gavin Rossdale, Alice Cooper, Lzzy Hale, Bishop Briggs and Tosin Abasi.

The experience on the show started off rocky for Night Spins. They were kicked off during episode one but were brought back by the judges in episode eight as a wildcard. During the semi-finals, many of the judges complimented the band for their musicality, stage performance and their songs.

Abasi told the band during episode eight that there was not much to criticize for the band and was surprised that they weren’t bigger. Alice Cooper told them that they should stick with their sound and keep going.

“I normally would say listen to your producer, but in your case, I would say produce yourselves because nobody’s going to understand what you’re doing except you,” Cooper said.

Brocki told Up & Coming Weekly that it was amazing to get that feedback.

Night Spins’ Spotify account has grown since being on the show. Brocki said they went from 7,000 listeners to 17,000 fans on the one platform alone. They are now planning a tour in the Northeast for this summer. As tour dates get added, Brocki says they will come back and play in Fayetteville in the fall.

The grand prize for "NO COVER" includes a six-figure recording contract with Sumerian Records, representation from United Talent Agency and Shelter Music Group, performance slots at a Danny Wimmer Presents

Music Festival, a $10,000 shopping spree from Guitar Center and brand-new gear from Gibson USA, Mesa Engineering, Ernie Ball, Liquid Death and Discmakers.

The final episode premieres on June 29 at 9 p.m. on Sumerian Records’ YouTube page.