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 4 – Bands Bios

The Shadies
The Shadies is an inclusive, fun loving ukulele band which was set up by Dept of Environment staff over seven years ago and has followed them through their various machinations and movements in and out of other departments. We have circled back to the beginning and are found playing at lunchtimes in the shade of the trees outside our office in Barton. The Shadies play anything and everything with our own special interpretation and welcome musicians and wanna-be musicians from across their department. They even have a few alumni who keep coming back to sing and strum.

The North Wasp
A band of misfit graduates who have joined cahoots in infiltrating the APS Battle of the Bands. In a new world of taking questions on notice, the only constant is punk!

Phoenix Bureau
Phoenix Bureau rose from the ashes of a former band torn apart by the rock gods. But with successful recruitment they are now brimming with talento, gusto and APS-innuendo. This four-piece are an eclectic group of current and former public servants that want to make you move – to dance, to laugh, maybe even move you to tears. With inspiration drawing from pop, indie, rock, blues and metal, you never know what they’ll submit next; but rest assured it will fun, feisty and possibly zombified.

Red Hector
Red Hector is a musically tight and energetic covers band and each member has loads of musical experience, spanning many decades despite all having “regular” day jobs. These hectors have been playing music since the 80s and 90s and you can see the band around town entertaining audiences with their engaging, fun sets. In keeping with true “muso” style, you will not see an ipad on any Red Hector stage – as Dave says, “we didn’t do it in the 80’s, why should we slack off now..”

Capybara Spa
Capybara Spa formed in 2022 and is one of the premier rodent-derived bands in the ACT. Performing guitar driven, mostly original material, their music has been described as: ‘Maybe post punk pop’, ‘Would have done well in the 70s’, ‘Would listen to it if another band played it’ Universally recognised as one of Canberra’s most punctual bands Capybara Spa consists of Tammy, Pete, Nick, Louise, Gregg and Beck. Drawn from the inside, outside and across the time streams they have been called for one purpose - they are here to entertain you.

Transit Dolls
Classic original power trio consisting of Luke McGrath drums (The Missing Lincolns, Babyfreeze, Lulu & the Tantrums), Stuart Mitchell bass/ vocals (ZZG, Blue Angel & Dr Wiedemann Orchestra) and James Montgomery-Willcox guitar/ lead vocal (The Feldons, the Get Downs, Strange Brew), playing catchy, danceable original 1970s style glam/ pub rock with power pop influences.