Mulga Bore Hard Rock launch first single and music video for ‘Young Men (Younga Barla Mapa)’

They’ve got names like Thunder Child, Desert Demon, Desert Dingo, Queen of Hearts, Star Boy, and Black Diamond, they sing in the Anmatjerre language, and they’re ready to blow your eardrums.

Thunder Child (Alvin Manfong, guitar and vocals), Desert Demon (Kirklen Bird, bass and vocals), Desert Dingo (Aiden Manfong, drums), Queen of Hearts (Niara Tilmouth, vocals and tambourine), Star Boy (Tryell Bird, guitar and vocals), and Black Diamond (Talvin Bird, bass) form Mulga Bore Hard Rock band. Picture: Supplied

A rock band based in the Red Centre is continuing to make its mark in the music world, launching their debut single – and a slick music video to accompany it.

Mulga Bore Hard Rock – who opened for KISS when they were last in Australia – have drawn inspiration from ‘80s glam rock, but added a twist of the Aussie outback for Young Men (Younga Barla Mapa), released Thursday.

Comprised of Thunder Child (Alvin Manfong, guitar and vocals), Desert Demon (Kirklen Bird, bass and vocals), Desert Dingo (Aiden Manfong, drums), Queen of Hearts (Niara Tilmouth, vocals and tambourine), Star Boy (Tryell Bird, guitar and vocals), and Black Diamond (Talvin Bird, bass), the debut single for six piece is sung in the Anmatjerre language.

Their music video blends the band’s love of hard rock while showing some of the best landscapes in Central Australia.

Manfong, the lead singer, said Status Quo, Guns and Roses, AC/DC and KISS were a big inspiration, both growing up and as the band forges their own path.

Based in Mulga Bore – 244km north of Alice Springs – Manfong said music was a big part of life growing up.

“Uncles, aunties, mums, dads and the kids always playing country and gospel music around the campfire. Some families would play rock’n’roll like Status Quo, Guns and Roses, AC/DC and KISS – I loved that the most,” he said.

“I started to practice the songs from YouTube at night while everyone slept across the room.

Mulga Bore Hard Rock. Picture: Ivan Trigo Miras

“At night, I would dream of playing on the big stages around the world.”

But the life of a musician isn’t easy, Manfong admits – time spent away can sometimes take its toll.

“One day, I spoke to my Uncle David about his life on the road as a musician and he told me it was a beautiful story but it is always hard leaving home and away from family. You have to balance family, culture, blak lore and white law, all at once,” he said.

Mulga Bore Hard Rock’s debut single can be found on a variety of streaming sites.