Beddy Rays are an Australian rock band from the outer Brisbane suburb of Redland Bay, Queensland. With music described as "rollicking coastal punk rock", they are best known for their 2020 single "Sobercoaster". The band have supported Tones and I on tour, as well as Dune Rats and Hockey Dad.
Origins The four band members originally met in 2002 as young children at primary school. Their band name is derived from a spoonerism of "Reddy Bay", which is a common abbreviation for Redland Bay. In primary school the entire band's favourite band was Green Day. In high school they went through a phase of loving hardcore music and would attend shows at the youth centre shows.
The band was started after the members left high school. Their first show they played was at a party at Van Issum's house while his parents were away.
All four band members are from Redland Bay, including Van Issum who is a Woppaburra man, and work as tradesmen. Beddy Rays came to play some of their first shows by networking at various Brisbane venues for which they worked as tradies.
Career 2017–present: Career beginnings Beddy Rays released their first EP Lost Found Beat Around in 2017. Their 2020 single "Sobercoaster" led the band to be featured as a Triple J Unearthed Feature Artist in mid-2020.
In 2021, Beddy Rays covered Thelma Plum's "Better In Blak" for Triple J's Like A Version segment.
On 19 November 2021, the band released "On My Own".
Their self-titled, debut studio album was announced on 2 June 2022 and was released on 29 July 2022. It peaked at number 8 on the ARIA Charts. The Beddy Rays album cover art was inspired by Green Day’s Dookie cover.
In September 2022, it was reported that there was a sexual assault in the mosh pit at a Beddy Ray's concert. The band drove the woman that had been assaulted home and had the perpetrator kicked out of the Hobart venue and banned for life.
In February 2025, Beddy Rays announced their second studio album Do What Ya Wanna, which was released on 18 April 2025.
Members Jackson "Jacko" Van Issum – lead vocals, guitar Lewis "Lewy" McKenna – guitar, backing vocals Bradley O'Connor – bass, backing vocals Benjamin Wade – drums, percussion, backing vocals Tom Bowie – occasional live guitar
Discography Studio albums +List of studio albums, with release date and label shown Title Details Peak chart positions AUSPeaks in Australia: Beddy Rays: Do What Ya Wanna: Sunday Slowdown: Beddy Rays Released: 29 July 2022 Label: Beddy Rays (BR001) Format: CD, LP, CS, digital download, streaming 8 Do What Ya Wanna Released: 18 April 2025 Label: Beddy Rays, ADA Global Format: LP, CS, digital download, streaming 15
Extended plays Title Details Peak chart positions AUS Lost Found Beat Around Released: 8 December 2017 Label: Beddy Rays Format: Digital download, streaming — Sunday Slowdown Released: 8 May 2026 Label: Beddy Rays Format: Digital download, streaming 50
Singles + List of singles Title Year Certifications Album "Coming Home" 2017 Lost Found Beat Around "Fool Around" "Bloodhound" 2019rowspan="2" "Kicked" "Sobercoaster" 2020 ARIA: Platinum Beddy Rays "Better Weather" "Wait a While" 2021 Beddy Rays "Week on Repeat" "Better in Blak (Triple J Like a version) "On My Own" Beddy Rays "Milk" 2022 "Sort It Out" "Handful" "Rhythms" 2023rowspan="3" "Bored" "Too Much (Is Too Much)" "Silverline" 2024 Do What Ya Wanna "Hold On" "Stay the Same" "Red Lights" 2025 "Pocket Rocket" "Khe Sanh (Triple J Like a version)
Other appearances + List of non-singles album appearances Title Year Album "Red Hot Chrissy" 2024How to Make Gravy
Awards and nominations ARIA Music Awards The ARIA Music Awards is an annual awards ceremony that recognises excellence, innovation, and achievement across all genres of Australian music. They commenced in 1987.
! |- | rowspan="1"| 2022 | rowspan="1"| Beddy Rays | Michael Gudinski Breakthrough Artist | | rowspan="1"|
National Indigenous Music Awards The National Indigenous Music Awards recognise excellence, innovation and leadership among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander musicians from throughout Australia. They commenced in 2004.
! |- ! scope="row" rowspan="1"| 2021 | Beddy Rays | New Artist of the Year
! scope="row" rowspan="1"| 2023 | Beddy Rays | Album of the Year | |rowspan="1"|
Queensland Music Awards The Queensland Music Awards (previously known as Q Song Awards) are annual awards celebrating Queensland, Australia's brightest emerging artists and established legends. They commenced in 2006.
(wins only) ! |- ! scope="row" rowspan="1"| 2025 | "Stay the Same" | Rock Award
References