Dune Rats

Formed in Brisbane, Queensland, Dune Rats have, since 2010, been part of an Australian rock strand that blends surf punk, garage punk, indie rock and pop punk into short, fast, melodic songs. Initially conceived as a duo centered on Danny Beus (vocals and guitar) and BC Michaels (drums), Dune Rats became a trio with the arrival of bassist Brett Jansch. The band attracted attention in 2010 with the track "Colour Television" uploaded to Triple J Unearthed, then followed with the EPs Sexy Beach (2011), Social Atoms (2011) and Smile (2013). Their debut album, Dune Rats, was released in 2014, followed by The Kids Will Know It’s Bullshit (2017), Hurry Up and Wait (2020), Real Rare Whale (2022) and If It Sucks, Turn It Up (2024). Their sound is direct and noisy without being abrasive, driven by simple choruses and a live energy derived as much from punk as from garage rock. The band has also structured its activity around Ratbag Records and over the years has crossed paths with artists like K.Flay and Fidlar, while remaining rooted in the Australian rock and festival circuits.