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Who will be crowned winner of Dept of Rock 2025?! We’re closer to finding out as 12 bands that slayed in our Rocktober heats, play off in our two semi-finals. Only 4 bands full of public service rockstars will make into the grand-final on 7 December – come have some fun and cheer them on!
Semi-final 2 Rockstars
Mon Rak Rat
Presenting, for your listening pleasure, Mon Rak Rat – aka Ode to the State!!! Canberra’s loveable, Lao/Thai country music inspired art rock trio. For a third year running these brothers in song return to the Dept of Rock to share tales of love, life and public service.
At the steady centre of the band’s mandala of song is Alex (DPS) laying down a bass fulcrum, followed by Jesse (DFAT) swirling amongst his teetering pile of DIY mechanical drum machine, Thai lute and Lao reed pipes, and spinning out erratically at the edge of sound is Ross (DITRDCSA) with guitar, synth and vocal wailings.
You’ll laugh, you may cry, and you’ll certainly wonder what on earth is going on with that suitcase drum kit!
Absent Ace Tone
Absent Ace Tone will regale you with tales of atmospheric phenomena, public service misadventures and lost love. Proggy punk overtones with a splash of funk on the fourth palette. Three songwriters, three singers, one mission - To ROCK! We luvs the Guvmint - they payz the bilz! https://www.facebook.com/p/Absent-Ace-Tone-61552199887220/
Phoenix Bureau
Born from the ashes of committee meetings and resurrected in the break room with a borrowed guitar and a whiteboard marker, Phoenix Bureau is the only band where every member has a security clearance and a strong opinion on procurement reform.
Made up of government officials who moonlight as genre-fluid musical renegades, Phoenix Bureau blends rock, punk, metal and memos to deliver biting satire on everything from budget estimates to interdepartmental committees. Their lyrics are as sharp as a Senate Estimates hearing and twice as catchy.
Whether it's their hit single "Out of Office" or the crowd-favourite "Make a decision", Phoenix Bureau proves the bureaucracy can groove. Their live shows feature mandatory attendance forms, optional policy briefings, and a regulated amount of cowbell. Phoenix Bureau is making governance sound good.
IT Grrrls
Originally founded for the inaugural 2023 Dept of Rock Battle of the Bands, the IT Grrrls stormed the competition on their mission to prove that women who work in IT are total rock stars! At the end of that comp, the Grrrls went back to their day jobs as techies, service delivery managers, programmers and media producers, satisfied that they’d delivered on their brief.
But the world of tech doesn’t stand still, and neither do the IT Grrrls. This year, expect scathing commentary on the dangers of social media, a lot of nagging about looking after your devices properly, and some deep introspection on the role of AI in society, all delivered through the medium of pop songs that you know and love. It’s tech support like you’ve never experienced it before.
Strong Low
Rising like a phoenix from the ashes of middle-age, Strong Low emerged in Canberra during the Summer of 2024, drawing deeply on their battlefield experiences fighting against the ever-present threat of suburban obscurity.
Sharing a love of multiple different music genres, heavy riffs and quirky song structures, the awesome foursome of Stan, Cath, David and Arman have perfected their ability to transform at will into one powerful hivemind of musical creativity.
With three different vocalists in the mix, and lyrics spanning topics from the mundane to the ethereal, Strong Low brings ‘end of level boss’ performance energy to create a sound that can only be described as undecided-hybrid!
Black Iris
Black Iris is a Metal/Alt Rock band bringing a dark, melodic sound to the music scene. Formed by a group of avid music fans, Black Iris weaves together haunting riffs and driving rhythms to create a sound that's both introspective and captivating. With their music, Black Iris explores themes of mystery, emotion, and the shadows of the human experience. Prepare yourselves!
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/0ci4gnS3dD8jQVMLrBXD7X?si=JfgL-6juSjaKyQDR8w91kQ
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/officialblackiris/profilecard/?igsh=czh3eDk3bmVtYjcy
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Smith's Alternative, 78 Alinga St, City ACT 2601, Australia, Canberra
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