Over April, May and June 2024, Dept of Rock will be back at Smith’s Alternative with gigs showcasing some of the great bands that took part in our 2023 Battle of the Bands competition. Come along and give it up again for these amazing public sector musos as they kick arse, playing longer sets and not a judge in sight!

Gig 3 Cranked Division

12pm - Cabybara Spa
1pm - Lead Astray
2pm - Blindsided
3pm - Prod Commies
4pm - The Substrates

Cranking it up in service to the public…and rock and roll! Cranked Division will abandon their laptops in favour of guitars, mics and drums to unleash a ministry of sound on Smith’s. Get a ticket and get served by five of Dept of Rock’s kick arse rock and punk bands.

Cranked Division Bands

Capybara Spa - formed in Canberra in 2022, comprising of legends Beck, Gregg, Louise, Nick, Pete and Tammy. They are regarded as a band and are in no way integral to the development of 1960s counterculture and the recognition of popular music as an art form. We loved Capybara Spa in the 2023 Battle of the Bands comp and are stoked to see them crank it up again at Smiths.

Lead Astray - are an eclectic mix of current and former public servants that have been jamming in meeting rooms and man caves for a few years. With an age range spanning three decades and inspiration drawing from pop, indie, rock, grunge and metal – you never know what Lead Astray will submit next but rest assured it will be frank and fearless - and feisty.

Blindsided – Watch out, Blindsided is back to stun us with their saucy and searing mix of rock songs and classics, delivered with a twist. Try and stay in your seat when Blindsided get on stage – or just give into the urge to get up and dance and sing at the top of your voices like everyone else!

Prod Commies formed for 2023 Battle of Bands competition and through hard work (and a bit of good luck) got all the way through to the grand final! Matt and Kath from the Productivity Commission (and of local Canberra bands Lucy Ridge and the Derby Widows and David Bath and the Hot Tubs) bring you this unique PC spin off. Along with Mr Dougalicious (Black Light Disco), on secondment from Geoscience Australia on bass, the Prod Commies explore the life and times of the APS in the format of punk rock.

The Substrates – started off as a makeshift band bonded together by the very substrates that make magnetic media…then they entered Battle of the Bands and blew us all away with their fierce, fun punk anthems, winning the competition and a legion of fans wanting more! The Substrates are back, come and get it.

Other All Stars Shows
Gig 1 – Cheeky Division 27 April 2024, 3-8pm
Gig 2 – Cruisin’ Division 25 May 2024, 3-8pm

Dept of Rock Battle of the Bands will run again in the second half of 2024 at Smith’s. Check FB for updates.