ROCK musician Stephen Brown thought 10 years was long enough for Roma to wait for its Battle of the Bands.

Mr Brown has spent several months organising the Roma Battle of the Bands, which will pit seven artists against each other for a first prize of $1000.

The man known as "Brownsnake" said he wanted Roma to get behind the competition because there will be more than killer bands waiting for patrons at the Roma Cultural Centre next Saturday.

"We've got prizes for the crowds who come, including an acoustic guitar and T-shirts and other great stuff," he said.

Four judges, including a secret judge, will mark the seven artists playing, who will come from as far as Toowoomba to be here next weekend.

Apex Roma will also be working the canteen on the night, which is an alcohol-free event.

Bands include Tinted Sun, Asura Deva, Venice on Fire, Laura Lavelle and Cry for Cthulhu.

Doors open from noon on Saturday, October 3.