'Nerves and shame' gone, the DMC Boys look to the global stage

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.

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.

More accustomed to local festivals and pubs, lead vocalist Elijah Douglas said the opportunity was immense.

"Everyone back home, they're so proud of the band. We've got younger boys who are coming along now and wanting to join in and learn music and sing," he said.

"It's definitely made an impact in our community; now we'd like to make an impact in 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.

Lead guitarist Tommy Lee Jack said their music gave the community something to rally behind.

"You just look at all the bad things, and you feel sad," he said.

"We were that kid once upon a time until we realised … music can be a healing process.

"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."

Burke Shire mayor Ernie Camp said showing the community what's possible was powerful.

"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.

"But hearing that as a kid probably doesn't mean much until you actually see a 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.

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.

King Stingray guitarist Roy Kellaway complimented the Gulf band's "great songs" and "catchy, hooky melodies", but said success came down to 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.

"The boys [DMC Boys] have done it, it's awesome to watch them, hopefully it all goes well, and they keep rocking."

For the DMC Boys, King Stingray's success offers a glimpse of what's possible.

Largely self-taught, the DMC Boys Outback band boosts culture in February 2026, with more singles planned for this year.

Blocking the noise

But finding their voice hasn't always been easy.

"There were those nerves, shame, like you get a bit of guilt, a bit of shyness," lead guitarist Tommy Lee Jack said.

"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."

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.

"Opportunities are missing; there are so many beautiful and talented artists around Australia that need to be recognised," he said.

"[We need] leadership and having people to look up to … all ships rise with the tide."

For Tommy Lee and his bandmates, the roar of the stage comes second to their day jobs, for now.

But their message to listeners is simple.

"Never let your dream fall; always continue and stay on your feet," Jack said.