The Grogans — Melbourne’s beloved garage‑rock trio of Quin Grunden, Angus
Vasic, and Jordan Lewis — rolled into UC Hub on 5 February and reminded
everyone why they’re one of the most quietly brilliant bands in the Australian
scene.
Honestly, The Grogans might just be the best band name in the country. You look
at these three laid‑back lads and you don’t immediately expect the kind of
tunes they punch out. But the moment they hit the stage, that modern‑meets‑retro
magic kicks in. They’re a 2026 rework of a classic 60s outfit — not in a
gimmicky way, but in the way their riffs, tones, and instincts feel pulled from
a different era and dropped perfectly into the now.
Their guitar work is drenched in 60s/70s flavour, their vocals slide between
smooth, grungy, garage, psych‑blues textures, and every now and then you get
that unmistakable surf‑rock shimmer. They’re masters of the slow ballad — the
kind that gets arms waving and voices rising — but they’re just as sharp when
they flip into a punchy rock number that rattles your ribcage. That’s the
version of The Grogans that hits me hardest: the upbeat, no‑nonsense rock songs
that don’t try too hard because they don’t need to. Tracks like Hey Ma’am, Got
a Girl, and I Cannot Read Your Mind prove how naturally that style comes to
them.
One thing that stood out on the night was the huge female following. It gave
the whole room this Easybeats‑meets‑Kinks energy — that sense of a band who
accidentally becomes heart‑throb material simply by being good at what they do.
It added a great vibe and honestly, it’s refreshing to see.
The Grogans are criminally underrated in Australia, maybe because their sound
leans so heavily into that 60s aesthetic. But that’s exactly what makes them
special. Their ability to swing between tender ballads and gritty rockers gives
their set a real sense of shape. Lyrically, their slower songs carry weight and
meaning, while their party tracks let loose without losing craft. The harmonies
between the three of them are a lovely touch, and Quin and Gus’ contrasting
vocal tones add versatility that keeps their set feeling dynamic.
They also dropped an unreleased single — and it landed instantly. Keep an ear
out for that one in 2026.
If there’s one area for growth, it’s stage movement. With their heavier songs
especially, a bit more physical energy would send the crowd into full lift‑off.
The music is already there; a touch more presence would turn a great show into
a wild one.
We walked out thoroughly impressed. They’re clever, they’re tight, and they
know exactly what they’re doing. The Grogans are firmly locked into my music
library.
Softer tracks to get you started: In My Heart, Lemon to My Lime, Money Will
Chase You
These tickets were the perfect Christmas gift - Thanks Mum
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