In short:
Doomadgee based reggae-rock outfit DMC Boys are setting their eyes "worldwide" after opening for Aussie rock sensation King Stingray.
asserted
Boys → base → Stingray
Overcoming "nerves and shame", the band has become a local favourite for combining traditional storytelling, language and music.
What's next?
After their debut EP in February, DMC Boys plan to release more music later this year.
asserted
Boys → overcome → music
A reggae-rock band from Queensland's Gulf Country are hoping to take their music "worldwide" after opening for one of Australia's biggest acts.
asserted
band → hop → acts
The DMC Boys, hailing from Doomadgee, about 400 kilometres north-west of Mount Isa, recently played their biggest show opening for ARIA-award-winning rock sensation King Stingray.
asserted
Boys → hail → Stingray
More accustomed to local festivals and pubs, lead vocalist Elijah Douglas said the opportunity was immense.
asserted
opportunity → say → festivals
We've got younger boys who are coming along now and wanting to join in and learn music and sing," he said.
asserted
he → get → music
"It's definitely made an impact in our community; now we'd like to make an impact in Australia.
asserted
we → make → Australia
"
'Be somebody and something for our people'
At Doomadgee, where unemployment sits around 20 per cent and opportunities can be hard to come by, the DMC Boys have become more than just the local band.
asserted
Boys → sit → band
Lead guitarist Tommy Lee Jack said their music gave the community something to rally behind.
asserted
music → say → something
"You just look at all the bad things, and you feel sad," he said.
asserted
he → look → things
"We were that kid once upon a time until we realised … music can be a healing process.
asserted
music → realise → time
We're hoping that in the next few years we might be worldwide, but we really want to try and be somebody and something for our people."
uncertain
we → hop → people
Burke Shire mayor Ernie Camp said showing the community what's possible was powerful.
asserted
what → say → ?
"In any community there's knockers [that say, 'You] ain't going to go nowhere' … there are other members in communities that say, 'Anything is possible'," he said.
asserted
he → be → communities
"But hearing that as a kid probably doesn't mean much until you actually see a result."
asserted
you → hear → result
A night to remember
The DMC Boys' biggest performance of their career landed on October 10 as King Stingray headlined celebrations for the reopening of Burketown's airport, north-east of Doomadgee, which was flood-damaged in 2023.
asserted
which → remember → 2023
Since breaking through with their debut album in 2022, the East Arnhem Land ensemble has toured North America and Europe and become one of Australia's most recognisable bands, combining language and culture with rock music.
asserted
ensemble → break → music
King Stingray guitarist Roy Kellaway complimented the Gulf band's "great songs" and "catchy, hooky melodies", but said success came down to dedication.
asserted
success → compliment → dedication
"It's just doing what you love, and if you're consistent, and you put hard work and energy into it you can do amazing things," he said.
asserted
he → do → things
"The boys [DMC Boys] have done it, it's awesome to watch them, hopefully it all goes well, and they keep rocking."
asserted
they → do → them
For the DMC Boys, King Stingray's success offers a glimpse of what's possible.
asserted
what → offer → glimpse
Blocking the noise
But finding their voice hasn't always been easy.
asserted
finding → block → voice
"There were those nerves, shame, like you get a bit of guilt, a bit of shyness," lead guitarist Tommy Lee Jack said.
asserted
Jack → be → shyness
"So, [when we perform] we put in our minds this picture that we're in the studio… we try to block out all the crowd and just pretend that's where we are."
asserted
we → perform → crowd
Despite becoming rock stars across the Gulf, making it out of remote Australia is no easy feat.
King Stingray frontman Dimathaya Burarrwanga said opportunities for emerging artists remained scarce.
asserted
opportunities → become → artists
"Opportunities are missing; there are so many beautiful and talented artists around Australia that need to be recognised," he said.
asserted
he → miss → Australia
"[We need] leadership and having people to look up to …
asserted
We → need → people
all ships rise with the tide.
asserted
ships → rise → tide
"
For Tommy Lee and his bandmates, the roar of the stage comes second to their day jobs, for now.
asserted
roar → come → jobs
"Never let your dream fall; always continue and stay on your feet," Jack said.
asserted
Jack → let → feet
The Aporia