Dept of Rock 2025 Battle of the Bands - Heat 2
Schedule
Tue, 14 Oct, 2025 at 09:00 am
UTC+11:00Location
Smith's Alternative | Canberra, CT
Advertisement
Who will be crowned winner of Dept of Rock 2025? Who will have the most fun along the way?! These big questions and many more will be answered when Dept of Rock returns to Smith’s Alternative for the 2025 Public Service Battle of the Bands Competition. Come cheer on cool public servant rockstars as they ditch their laptops and lanyards for guitars, drumsticks and mics in the ultimate battle for rock supremacy. This year we’ll also be entertained by some very special guest bands and Madam Secretary musings, games and giveaways.
Grab a ticket and join in the fun of this quintessentially Canberra live music event!
Heat 2 Rockstars
Same Same But Different
Same Same But Different is a 4-piece band, only recently formed due to a mutual connection with the lead singer. The band has a passion for all types of rock music and particularly enjoy creating Punk and Acoustic covers of rock songs. Same Same But Different is raw, playing an unapologetic blast of songs with a modern snarl. They are not reinventing the wheel, they’re lighting it on blue flame!
Area 451
Area 4:51 has grown out of a few friends playing music together. They see the obvious synergy between public administration and management and Rock & Roll – and they want to be a part of it so here they are – Welcome Area 4:51 to Dept of Rock!
Joint Statement
A bit over a year ago, in the cavernous halls of Russell R1, Kennedy asked Ryan: “do you like the Mountain Goats?” Ryan replied: “I love the Mountain Goats”. Since then, they’ve been jamming together most weekends, sharing a love of late 90s/2000s indie/alt folk (the Mountain Goats, Decemberists, Neutral Milk Hotel, etc.) and anything else that sounds good when played by two guys with guitars. Settle in and enjoy this exciting cool duo!
Machinery of Government
Forged from a desperate plea by Ben on the Canberra musicians facebook page answered by Fiona, who roped in fellow existing band mates Joshua and Matt, followed up with the keen addition of Alex, bonded by a desire to play fast and loud metal, fused with fun times and questionable pop culture references, the soon-to-be metal titans Machinery of Government were born. A band that's as loud as a parliamentary debate and as energetic as a question time session. With a repertoire that melts faces, Machinery of Government is here to rock your socks off.
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
Heat 2 Guest Band: Capybara Spa
Runner up in Dept of Rock 2024, Canberra’s favourite rodents of rock Capybara Spa are back for another hit out as our heat 2 special guest band. Performing guitar driven, mostly original material, their music has been described as: ‘Maybe post punk pop’ ‘Would have done well in the 70s’ and ‘Would listen to it if another band played it’. Dept of Rock describes them as fun, cool and the perfect kind of cheese.
https://www.facebook.com/people/Capybara-Spa/100090665925041/
Advertisement
Where is it happening?
Smith's Alternative, 78 Alinga St, City ACT 2601, Australia, CanberraEvent Location & Nearby Stays:
