‘Wicked’: Teenage grunge band Gleezus is looking to the past and future

A new grunge band inspired by the classic and contemporary is revving up these teenage musicians to emulate their idols and impress their role models – like the Bowen State High School music teacher they’re named after.

The boys of Gleezus are still in high school, but many of their musical idols have been an inspiration for decades of teenagers.

Guitar player Jack Homewood said watching a Metallica documentary made him realise the band was “like the coolest thing to ever exist, and then basically just downward spiral from that”.

Vocalist Kai Appenzeller, drummer Brock Medhurst and bass player Ashton Shepherd have now shared their love for classics like Metallica, Nirvana, Slipknot, Rage Against the Machine, as well as modern Aussie interpretations like The Chats.

Jack, Brock, and Ashton started jamming together as students at Bowen State High School, encouraged by music teacher and band namesake Mr Gleeson.

“Shout out to Mr Gleeson … we named our band after him,” Jack said.

Ashton Shepherd, Brock Medhurst, Kai Appenzeller, and Jack Homewood of Bowen band Gleezus. Photo: Zoe Devenport

The story goes that Mr Gleeson’s face was photoshopped onto a Jesus picture, when Brock said, “look, it’s Gleezus” and found their band name.

“He’s a legend … we’ve got a lot of respect for Mr Gleeson,” Brock said.

“He’s taught us a lot of stuff and really pointed us in the right direction (because) he’s got a lot of experience … he’s toured for years.

“We’re really lucky … we’ve got really supportive teachers at our school and they love us.

“I spend more time in the music room than I do in my actual classes … we just go in and play at lunchtime (and) it’s wicked.”

Jack Homewood, Brock Medhurst, Kai Appenzeller, and Ashton Shepherd of Bowen band Gleezus. Photo: Zoe Devenport

Jack knew Kai, who goes to Proserpine SHS, from air force cadets and recruited him as Gleezus’ vocalist.

While all the boys have a few years of high school left, they have been playing all the gigs they can get their hands on.

Hitting the pavement with house parties, birthdays, and small private events is helping them get experience on stage, but the Gleezus boys are keen for a pub gig at Collinsville Workers Club on May 12.

Ashton Shepherd, Jack Homewood, Brock Medhurst and Kai Appenzeller of Bowen band Gleezus. Photo: Zoe Devenport

A Gleezus show is mostly covers of their favourite old school punk and grunge, but they say they “don’t want to be a cover band” and are starting to write their own songs.

“You’ve got to get the practice up so you can write your own stuff,” Brock said.

“I’m practising the drums as much as I can because I want this to be my life.

“I’m lucky I found my thing.”

See Gleezus at Collinsville Workers Club on May 19.