First KISS, next Taylor Swift? Meet the unlikely band opening for the stars

The story of how a group of Indigenous teenagers from one of the smallest schools around Alice Springs came to be the support act for rocker band KISS would make a great Hollywood movie.

It started with six kids from a school of just 15 students, in remote Anmatyerre country, 170 kilometres north-east of Alice Springs forming the Mulga Bore Hard Rock band. They play music inspired by the likes of KISS, Elvis, Chuck Berry, Little Richard, Jerry Lee Lewis, AC/DC, and Guns and Roses.

They win the Northern Territory’s Battle of the Bands, and go on to open for one of the world’s biggest rock bands on the Gold Coast alongside their rock heroes Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley. It is the stuff most budding musicians can only dream about.

Mulga Bore Rock Band, with singer Alvin Manfong, front left.Credit: John Gollings

But for now, the focus of these six siblings and cousins is a message to the teens of Alice Springs, currently under a curfew until Tuesday.

The youth curfew was imposed on March 27 when the NT government declared an emergency following reports of escalating violence. The declaration bans people under the age of 18 from entering the town centre between 6pm and 6am without a valid reason.

It is these young people, as well as the NT authorities that Mulga Bore Hard Rock band ask to listen to the words of their song Fame Not Shame.

Alvin Manfong, the 18-year-old lead guitarist and singer/songwriter, wrote it with Pesala Brown, the former principal at Mulga Bore School, as an anthem for all teens in remote bush communities, but especially for those from Alice.

“When I look in your eyes, you’re a bit shamed

Nothin to do in your life – yeah

Let’s all play the game, Get some fame tonight

Stand up straight, open the gate Be the leader of your band.”

Opening night guests at Parrtjima, when Mulga Bore Rock Band will play next weekend.

This song was embraced by the kids of Alice Springs during the bands’ post-KISS concerts when they were in town during the Alice Springs Desert Festival 2022. Manfong says fame through their music has changed their lives, taken them all around Australia, and he wants others to heed the message of their “hard glam rock”.

“I want to lead the way, show what we do and our music style for the young generations. Like the lyrics say ‘When you walk down the road, hold your head up higher, Pick up your guitar, be a rock n roll star’,” Manfong says.

“Music is a great way to express your feelings and get confidence to have a positive life, and we want to show the younger kids that there is a better way to live with music,” he said.

Joining him in the band are his younger brother on drums and vocals, Aiden Manfong, 14, and cousins Tryell Bird on rhythm guitar, 16, Talvin Bird on bass, 17, Niara Bird on percussion, 16, and Kirklen Bird, 20, also on bass.

Mulga Bore Hard Rock Band live the dream as support act for KISS.

“We grew up watching our uncles play, and I fell in love with the music and followed the lead of our uncles and fathers,” says Manfong.

“Our little brother Aldan is the lead guitarist of the new school band ‘Mulga Bore Super Brothers’, they are following our lead, and we are teaching them to play.

“I have always been a huge fan of KISS so when we got the gig to open for them at the Gold Coast we were all in shock. It was mind-blowing and has changed our world,” he said.

The band’s manager, Rebecca McLean, first heard them while she was running a short course at the Batchelor Institute of Indigenous Tertiary Education and initially approached KISS management to see if they would be in a music video with them.

Mulga Bore Hard Rock band rock out.

“Then they unexpectedly got a gig on the Gold Coast with KISS, and that was the beginning of it all,” she said.

“These kids have a confidence and are strong leaders who are teaching others by showing how important it is to be proud of who you are, and that message is spreading throughout the region around Alice,” McLean said.

As part of their Rockin’ the Red Earth Tour 2024, last month they performed at Tasmania’s MONA FOMA in Launceston Gorge, before that at Melbourne’s St Kilda Festival, and have an album coming soon in their language Anmatyerre and English.

On Friday night, they performed in Canberra at the National Gallery of Australia at the invitation of the gallery’s youth council, along with Western Aranda artist, Vincent Namatjira, who has an exhibition currently on at the NGA.

Parrtjima, a 10-night celebration of Aboriginal art, culture and music opened Friday night.

Next Saturday they will perform as part of Parttjima, the 10-night light festival, started in 2015 by VIVID Sydney co-founder Anthony Bastick’s AGB Events, on Arrente lands in Central Australia near the town of Alice Springs.

Suzana Bishop, CEO of Northern Territory Major Events Company, the organiser of Parrtjima, which opened Friday, says the festival will continue until April 21, despite the curfew.

Parrtjima light show, a celebration of Aboriginal art, culture and music opened Friday night.

“The curfew area doesn’t include Parrtjima, which is held at Alice Springs Desert Park. We’re very happy that Parrtjima is going ahead,” she said.

As for Manfong, and his band of cousins and brother, he wants to tour the world and meet other musical heroes.

“We want to take our story to the world through our music, so that people can hear our voice and understand our vision for the future, and it’s bright,” Manfong said.

“When KISS finished their End of the Road Tour 2023, I found a new inspiration in the band Ghost from Sweden. They’re my new favourite band and, of course, Taylor Swift. When we were in Melbourne recording our album in St Kilda, Taylor was playing at the MCG. So close and yet so far … I’d like to meet her one day …. And we would be happy to open for her too.”

Start the day with a summary of the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.