An emerging voice of Brisbane's DIY rock community, The Phosphenes launch their 2026 campaign with a rollicking new single, 'D.Y.V', that'll give your neck muscles a solid workout.
Raised on a steady diet of '90s pop-culture, grunge, and garage rock, the Caboolture band formed in early 2022 when a 14- and two 16-year-olds decided to swap teenage boredom for distortion pedals and stages.
The Phosphenes have since built a solid live reputation, playing everything from dive bars and backyard parties to festivals and skate park gigs. They've released two EPs alongside a number of standalone singles. Their latest sonic adventure is 'D.Y.V'.
A hint of squealing feedback is quickly silenced by hammering drums that'll pound your mind to dust as you head-bang your way into oblivion, the garage noise-rock seeping into your marrow, the rising angst oozing from your pores in a grungy cleanse.
It's an intense bop that slightly slackens the pace to incorporate a melodic verse, the crisp, hearty vocals emanating a raw energy that scoops you up, dumping you in the middle of the mosh pit.
With elements of grunge, alternative and power-pop, you can hear hints of Regurgitator and Jebediah alongside newer influences like Violent Soho and DZ Deathrays.
"At the moment we have been getting a lot of inspiration from legendary Australian bands like You Am I and Jebediah, and I think you can hear these influences when you listen to 'D.Y.V'," admits the band.
Ahead of the song's release tomorrow (1 May), today scenestr is amped to premiere the 'D.Y.V' music video. Enjoy.
"We record at Airlock Studios with engineer James See and tracks are mastered by Paul Blakey at 12th & Vine Post," continues the band.
"The general tone of ['D.Y.V'] is about being a bit complacent in your life about things and lacking any real drive to make a difference. Being happy to settle with how things are, but realising you are the person that needs to make the changes if you want anything to improve."
With all members currently studying and working while juggling band commitments ("like most other bands!"), the group leant into those DIY vibes for the creative elements of the music video.
"We shot the video ourselves in our drummer Toby's shed with a homemade green screen, a dodgy phone holder from Kmart and a stash of our bassist Rosie's incense sticks.
"It's wild what you can pull together on a $20 budget, and we are pretty stoked with how it all turned out. Our concept for the video itself came from 'That 70's Show', which we're all massive fans of."
With a run of Brisbane shows throughout May-June, July will see The Phosphenes hit the road for an east-coast tour (joined by So I Says To Mabel) in July that travels to Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Brisbane, Sydney, Wollongong and Newcastle.
The Phosphenes 2026 Tour Dates
Sat 2 May - Suzie Wongs (Brisbane)* supporting Forever On High
Fri 15 May - Ric's Backyard (Brisbane)
Sun 14 Jun - Redcliffe Entertainment Centre (Brisbane)
Fri 19 Jun - Tribe Clubhouse (Brisbane)
Sat 27 Jun - Where We Belong Festival @ Settlement Cove Amphitheatre (Brisbane)
Thu 2 Jul - Vinnies Dive Bar (Gold Coast)
Fri 3 Jul - The Presynct (Sunshine Coast)
Sat 4 Jul - Greaser (Brisbane)
Fri 10 Jul - The Duke (Sydney)
Sat 11 Jul - Dicey Riley's (Wollongong)
Sun 12 Jul - Hamilton Station Hotel (Newcastle)
