Thrashville returns to the lush bushland of Dashville in Lower Belford, Hunter Valley, on Saturday, 27 June 2026. Celebrated as the region’s heaviest music gathering, this inclusive, single-day outdoor festival delivers a high-energy feast of punk, hard rock, and heavy metal across four vibrant stages.
Following a medical cancellation by US punk band FEAR, homegrown legends Cosmic Psychos will headline the powerhouse lineup alongside premier acts like Disentomb, The Bennies, and Dregg. Beyond the music, attendees can enjoy pro-skateboarding displays, a walk-in tattoo parlour, live graffiti art, local food, and onsite camping.
HEAVY sent each band a short Q&A in order to get to know them a bit better. Today, we get better acquainted with The Bennies.
The Bennies are a high-energy Australian ska punk band. Formed in Melbourne in 2009 and currently based on the Gold Coast, they famously describe their sound as “psychedelic reggae ska doom metal punk rock from Hell.” Fronted by sole remaining original member Anty Horgan, they are celebrated for their wild, cannabis-friendly stoner-ska themes and explosive live performances.
Across their career, they have toured globally and released five studio albums, including Wisdom Machine and You Can’t Put Out This Fire. The relentless party starters continue to mash genres, blending infectious horn sections with heavy punk riffs.
Q & A
HEAVY: THRASHVILLE 2026 is nearly upon us. Have you ever been to Thrashville before as a punter or performing?
BENNIES: This will be our first Thrashville experience! Very excited to check it out.
H: What does it mean to you to be playing Thrashville?
It’s always sick to be asked to play a festy, and the Bennies all love thrashing, so this one was a no-brainer!
How important are festivals like Thrashville for Australian bands?
Festivals like Thrashville are vital for Australian bands, such a sick way to reach new audiences that might be there to see a completely different band on the bill. It’s a great feeling when you crush it at a festival and win over a bunch of new fans that may not have otherwise ever seen you perform.
Which bands are you most looking forward to and why?
Very pumped to see DREGG!!! Been listening to them heaps, never seen them live.
It’s a long day of music. What will you be doing to make sure you will still be standing come your set time?
Strategically timed spliffs, plenty of hydration. Make sure you’re aware of all the exits and where the freak-out tent is, etc.
Give me your Top 3 Festival survival tips.
Be aware of where the freak-out tent is.
- Don’t focus on the freak-out tent too much.
- Always have a packet o snesleys on your person.
Which band – other than yourself – do you think will get up to the most mischief on the day?
I don’t want to snitch on any of the other bands; all I can say is no matter what happens on the day, I can personally guarantee that The Bennies didn’t do it .
What song do you think the crowd would want you to play to finish your set and what are you going to play?
Party Machine, but we might play Everybody Hurts by REM
What one song would you tell festival goers to listen to of yours if they haven’t heard you play before?
Listen to Boring People. From our latest album, You Can’t Put Out This Fire.
What is your most recent release?
You Can’t Put Out This Fire. Our latest album, and it slaps.
Finally, what plans does your band have for the rest of 2026?
We just returned from an amazing Europe tour supporting Jaya the Cat, so we’ll recover from that whirlwind, then we’ve got some new music videos coming out very soon! And some awesome tour stuff in the pipeline as well. Watch out!
Thrashville tickets and more information HERE
