For almost 15 years, Brisbane’s Dune Rats have been the epitome of raucous energy and unfiltered fun. Their fifth studio album, If It Sucks, Turn It Up, released in August, embodies their ethos: when in doubt, crank it louder.
In a candid chat on the road in New Zealand, frontman Danny Beus reflects on the album’s creation, the band’s evolution, and the unrelenting spirit that drives their music.
The origins of If It Sucks, Turn It Up are as spontaneous as the band itself. While writing in Los Angeles, a moment of doubt sparked the album’s mantra. “We were in LA, writing with a mate, and he asked, ‘Does this song suck?’ Brett (Jansch) just said, ‘Mate, turn it up. Nothing sucks if it’s loud enough,’” Beus recalls. “That became our ethos for the album.”
Since forming in 2010, Dune Rats have carved their place in the punk rock scene with a blend of surf punk, indie rock, and garage influences. Their self-titled debut in 2014 laid the groundwork, but it was 2017’s The Kids Will Know It’s Bullshit that shot them to the top of the ARIA Albums Chart.
“We don’t want to write the same song a million times because that’s fucking boring,” Beus says. “When we did ‘Scott Green’ and ‘Bullshit’, you realise okay, we’ve got a massive base that loves those songs, so you feel like you need to scratch that itch for those people that have backed your band hard from there and onwards. But we never want to just do that constantly, because that’s not us as well.”
Their latest album finds that balance. Tracks like “Rich Kid Rehab” deliver the high-octane anthems fans crave, while cuts like “Solar Eyes” explore indie-infused sounds reminiscent of their early days. “And if you don’t like the song that you’re listening to because it’s not quite the Dunies that you wanted, just turn it up really fucking loud and you’ll love it,” Beus proclaims with a grin.
The band’s current tour spans regional Australia, New Zealand, Europe, North America and beyond, kicking off memorably in Taiwan. “It was surreal,” Beus says of their time in the latter place. “The festival we played was one of the first punk rock festivals in Taiwan. The people were just so stoked to have us there.”
The cultural differences were striking. “You can buy beers on the street, but no one was drinking,” Beus laughs. “I was walking around with two cocktails in my hand and this guy’s like, ‘You have two drinks in your hand?’ And I was like, ‘Yeah’. And he just couldn’t understand. He goes, ‘But how are you going to drink two drinks at once?’ It’s kind of normal for us Aussies – if you were at a festival, you’d just go and walk around with two drinks because you don’t want to have to line up to get another one.”
Taiwan’s hospitality left a lasting impression. “There was no security saying, ‘Don’t go backstage,’ people just didn’t because you weren’t allowed to,” Beus recalls. “We’re used to rowdy Aussie crowds, so that was a bit of a shock. But the energy was insane – stadium-level clapping and fist-pumping. We’re not a stadium band, so that felt pretty weird!”
On the road, Dune Rats maintain camaraderie and fairness with a unique ritual involving dice. “Dice are a tour must-have,” Beus says. “It decides everything – who gets the best room, who’s sleeping on the floor; both band and crew. Just because you’re in the band doesn’t mean you automatically get the best room.”
@dunerats 🌍 DVNIES WORLDISH TOUR 🌍
Drummer BC Michaels receives the crown for best – and worst – tour mate, according to Beus. “I reckon it’s a double-edged sword – he can go on tour with four pairs of underwear for a month and would just throw ’em out and free ball. He can just survive on the road, while I’m probably the worst.
“I’m literally about to go and do my washing because I went away for a week and run out of clean shit. I need to wash all my shit all the time and feel clean and yeah, he’s probably the best for a road dog. He just needs beer and a show. He’s very low maintenance.”
For Beus and Jansch, in particular, regional Australian shows hold a special place. “Brett and I grew up in small towns, so those gigs feel like home,” Beus shares. “We get to hang out with fans before and after the show. It’s like catching up with old mates.”
When asked to sum up the Dune Rats live experience for the uninitiated, Beus quips, “Sweaty, fun, and shit,” with a laugh. “Maybe there’s a better word than shit, but it’s not meant to be too serious. You’ll never see us getting upset over a bum note or missed chord – it’s all about having a good time.”
When asked if this new role has shifted his perspective on touring, Beus grins. “Not yet, but I’m sure it will as he gets bigger… Right now, it just means I get up earlier than I used to.”
Reflecting on the band’s journey so far, Beus offers advice to his younger self. “If I could tell my younger self anything, it’s to keep going,” he says. “You’ll get to do this for a while, so don’t take it for granted.” he says before adding, “actually, maybe I wouldn’t tell myself that. If it was a given, I might have gotten lazy.”
As much as the band enjoy experimentation in the studio, their writing method hasn’t changed. “I always feel you should be able to play the song on an acoustic guitar or just a guitar and not have to deliver exactly what’s recorded live as well,” Beus says. “You can have the best fucking song you can make in the studio, give it as much colour and weirdness and little licks and stuff. But at the end of the day, the live show is a whole other beast.”
With nearly 15 years under their belt, Dune Rats remain true to the carefree spirit that earned them fans worldwide. Whether it’s their chaotic shows or ambitious plans, their priority is clear: keep having fun. “As long as people keep showing up, we’ll keep playing,” Beus says. “It’s what we love to do. And honestly, I’m just stoked we’ve made it this far.”
Dune Rats Regional Australia Tour Dates
Saturday, December 28th
Edge Hill Tavern, Cairns
Sunday, December 29th
Dalrymple Hotel, Townsville
Monday, December 30th
Magnum’s Hotel, Airlie Beach
Thursday, January 2nd
Harvey Road Tavern, Gladstone
Sunday, January 5th
Cleveland Sands Hotel, Cleveland
Thursday, January 9th
Shoal Bay Country Club, Newcastle
Saturday, January 11th
Jetty Beach House, Coffs Harbour
Friday, January 17th
Altar Bar, Hobart
Saturday, January 25th
Entrance Leagues Club, Gosford
