Come and cheer on 6 amazing bands in each heat as they battle it out for a place in the semi-finals. A diverse panel of judges will be presiding over the heats and the three bands they choose to move onto the semi-finals will be announced at the end of the night.

Come cheer on our fabulous public servant rockstars as they abandon their laptops and lanyards and have fun ripping it up with guitars, mics and drumsticks (and other cool instruments).
24 bands are lining up in 4 heats on Tuesdays in October 2024 at Smith’s Alternative.

The bands cover a diverse range of musical experience and genres and many have formed for the competition. In each heat, 6 bands will take the stage to play 3 songs to impress the audience and our volunteer judging panel. The judges announce which 3 bands from each heat moves on to the semi-finals at the end of the night.

This is a feel-good and friendly band competition at Canberra’s favourite live music venue Smith’s Alternative. Our aim is to showcase and encourage amateur musos working in government, smash ‘boring public servant’ myths, raise some money for local charities and share the joy of local live music.

Yes it’s a competition but it’s not really about winning or losing – Dept of Rock is about having a go and having a good time.

For those who are about to rock, and do public administration, we salute you!

Heat 2 – Band Bios

Exit Strategy
Exit Strategy recently formed to take part in the Dept of Rock 2024. They are a good-time, thumping rock n roll band featuring 4 “seasoned” musos. With a love for gear acquisition (read: lots of guitars), rock n roll music, the joy of playing live and giving the audience a good time, Exit Strategy are entertainment guaranteed. They’re bringing good noise and good times to Dept of Rock!

Beer Garden Gnomes
Beer Garden Gnomes was started in Melbourne. When Jonty moved to Canberra he wanted to keep the gnome vibe alive, and found like-minded musos in the public service ready to rock out. They’re all 50 plus and still love to rock on, and they’re back for another fun time at Dept of Rock.
Black Souls Duo

The Black Souls are an original rock band playing songs from hard-learned experiences. Originally a 3-piece, our guitarist decided he had better places to be, but wanted the band to continue. So, the band has shrunk to a hard-hitting duo of bass and drums but don’t let the size of the band or the size of the bassist fool you – The Black Souls duo deliver a true, unique rock sound that makes you wonder why they ever needed a guitarist at all.

Howling Moon
Howling Moon are a Canberra-based indie band that play original songs that cross genres of rock, blues and atmospheric prog drawing on love, loss and landscape.

Adventure St
This band is Canberra born and bred. When the guitarist and lead singer bought houses on the same street, the creation of the band was inevitable. When that street name was ‘Adventure’, the band name was a gift. Adventure St is cool four piece that plays a variety of music and instruments taking fans down every musical street to arrive at a happy place.

Tuesday Weld Experience
The Tuesday Weld Experience play ….well it’s hard to explain, but imagine a mix of original long, lonesome broken-hearted country-esque tunes along with upbeat poppy songs, all topped off with a Jimmy Page-inspired lead guitar for some extra sizzle.