Dune Rats are an Australian rock band from Brisbane, Queensland. Originally, the band formed as a duo, with Danny Beus on guitar and lead vocals and Beer Can on drums and backing vocals. The band later became a three-piece, with Brett Jansch (formerly a touring member of Bleeding Knees Club) joining as bassist. Brad Heald, originally from Red Riders and The Vines, also made touring appearances on bass from 2011 to 2012.
The band uploaded "Colour Television" onto Triple J Unearthed in October 2010, before officially releasing it the following month.
On 30 May 2014, the band released their self-titled debut album through their label Ratbag Records. They supported the release with a global and national tour. The following year they announced that they were officially launching Ratbag Records as a record label that would take on other performers.
On 11 February 2017, their second album The Kids Will Know It's Bullshit debuted at number one on the ARIA Albums Chart.
The group's fourth studio album, Real Rare Whale was announced on 11 February 2022 and was scheduled for release on 24 June 2022, before being delayed to July 29 due to vinyl manufacturing issues.
In May 2024, the group announced the release of their fifth studio album, If It Sucks, Turn It Up.
In March 2026, the group released the compilation Old Mates, an album featuring tracks from their first three EPs.
Discography Studio albums +List of studio albums, with release date, label, and selected chart positions shown Title Album details Peak chart positions AUS Dune Rats Released: 30 May 2014 Label: Ratbag (RATBAG003) 22 The Kids Will Know It's Bullshit Released: 20 January 2017 Label: Ratbag (RATBAG009) 1 Hurry Up and Wait Released: 31 January 2020 Label: Ratbag, BMG (RATBAG019) 1 Real Rare Whale Released: 29 July 2022 Label: BMG (538720702) 6 If It Sucks, Turn It Up Released: 2 August 2024 Label: BMG (964034711) 29
Compilation albums +List of compilation albums, with release date and label Title Album details Peak chart positions AUSArtist Old Mates Released: 6 March 2026 Label: Dune Rats, G.Y.R.O. 13
Extended plays + List of extended plays, with selected details Title EP details Sexy Beach Released: 1 February 2011 Label: Dune Rats/ Inertia Access Social Atoms Released: 2 September 2011 Label: Dune Rats/ Inertia Access Smile Released: 19 April 2013 Label: Inertia Access
Singles Title Year Album "Colour Television" 2010 Sexy Beach "Wooo!" 2011 "Pogo" Social Atoms "Fuck It" 2012 Smile "Red Light, Green Light" 2013 "Funny Guy" 2014 Dune Rats "Superman" "Bullshit" 2016 The Kids Will Know It's Bullshit "Scott Green" "Braindead" 2017 "6 Pack" "Demolition Derby" "No Plans" 2019 Hurry Up and Wait "Rubber Arm" "Crazy" "Stupid Is as Stupid Does" 2020 "Bad Habits" "Too Tough Terry" "Up" 2021 Real Rare Whale "What a Memorable Night" 2022 "Melted Into Two" "Pamela Aniston" "Am I Ever Gonna See Your Face Again" (Like a Version) 2023 "Be Like You" If It Sucks, Turn It Up "Solar Eyes" 2024 "Cheapskate" "If It Sucks, Turn It Up" "Dead, Rich or in Jail" "Sharks" 2026 Old Mates "Ratbags!" (Re-recorded)
As featured artist Title Year Artist "Mexico" 2016 Drapht "Keys to the City" 2021 "Bored" 2022 Ocean Grove
Music videos Title Year Director(s) "Wooo!" 2011 Oliver Duncan "Pogo" Anthony Salsone "Fuck It" 2012 "Red Light, Green Light" (Red Version) 2013 Toby Cregan "Red Light, Green Light" (Green Version) Pilerats "Superman" 2014 Toby Cregan "Dalai Lama, Big Banana, Marijuana" Diego Cristófano "Bullshit" 2016 Macario De Souza & Allan Hardy "Scott Green" Macario De Souza "Scott Green" (Performance Version) 2017 "Braindead" Jonathan Salfield "6 Pack" Vorn Hunt "Demolition Derby" "No Plans" 2019 James Medlam "Rubber Arm" Glendon and Isabella "Crazy" Macario De Souza & Allan Hardy "Stupid Is as Stupid Does" 2020 Hype Republic "Bad Habits" Dune Rats, Matty Woo & Tom Healy "Too Tough Terry" Reid McManus "Up" 2021 Natalie Sim "What a Memorable Night" 2022 Jarred Lammiman "Melted Into Two" Kelly Holden "Pamela Aniston" Vorn Hunt "Space Cadet" Alex Flamsteed "LTD" 2023 rowspan="2" "Be Like You" "Solar Eyes" 2024 Alex Flamsteed "Cheapskate" Tom Carroll "If It Sucks, Turn It Up" Callum Scott-Dyson "Rich Kid Rehab" Jeordie Davis "Sharks" 2026 unknown "Ratbags" unknown
Notes
Awards and nominations AIR Awards The Australian Independent Record Awards (commonly known informally as AIR Awards) is an annual awards night to recognise, promote and celebrate the success of Australia's Independent Music sector.
! |- | rowspan="1"| 2025 | If It Sucks, Turn It Up | Best Independent Punk Album or EP
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APRA Music Awards The APRA Music Awards were established by Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA) in 1982 to honour the achievements of songwriters and music composers, and to recognise their song writing skills, sales and airplay performance, by its members annually.
! |- | 2025 | "Be Like You" | Most Performed Rock Work
ARIA Music Awards The ARIA Music Awards are a set of annual ceremonies presented by Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA), which recognise excellence, innovation, and achievement across all genres of the music of Australia. They commenced in 1987.
! |- | 2017 | The Kids Will Know It's Bullshit | Best Rock Album | | ARIA Award previous winners. |- | 2022 | Real Rare Whale | rowspan="2"| Best Hard Rock or Heavy Metal Album
| 2024 | If It Sucks, Turn It Up
| 2025 | Dune Rats – Tooheys: I Feel Like a Tooheys (Thinkerbell) | Best Use of an Australian Recording in an Advertisement
References
External links
420 times that Dune Rats were the ultimate stoners at FasterLouder