CHUBRUB

A few weeks ago, I stumbled upon Chubrub, and from the moment I pressed play on their tracks, I was completely hooked. They sent over a collection of their work, including live videos, and I was instantly struck by how much raw energy and authenticity they bring to their music. There’s this gritty, unapologetic edge to their sound that’s both captivating and incredibly refreshing. It’s the kind of music that makes you stop what you’re doing and just listen—really listen. The way they effortlessly combine fierce passion with undeniable talent kept me coming back for more. It wasn’t just their music that drew me in, though—it was the sense of rebellion, of being truly themselves in every note they play. I knew I had to reach out and learn more about the force that is Chubrub.

For Chubrub, music has always been a constant companion. “Since I can remember, I’ve always been into music,” says Cunno, the band’s frontman. But their connection to music goes beyond just being fans of punk and grunge—it’s about a need to create. “For me and the lads, it’s about having a creative outlet,” Cunno explains. “There are some emotions you just can’t get out in any other way.” And there’s another side to it too—Chubrub just loves to party. “We fucking love partying. If we could do that on a bigger scale, that’s a bonus.” Music, for them, isn’t just about making noise—it’s a way to live out their chaotic, fun-loving spirit on stage.

When they first started making music, Garlic Nun, a Sydney-based band, stood out as a major influence. “Their songs sounded so tough, but the lyrics were all about the funniest shit—doing blow or shelving hard drugs,” Cunno recalls with a grin. That carefree, reckless attitude made its way into Chubrub’s own sound, giving their music that same blend of toughness and humor. “I guess in a way, we totally stole their sound. Congrats, lads—you got your sound stolen,” Cunno laughs. But that’s part of what makes Chubrub so unique: they aren’t afraid to be themselves, to poke fun at the seriousness of life, and to embrace the chaos that comes with it.

The story of Chubrub’s formation is a tale of friends, late-night conversations, and a bit of chaos. Cunno and Max went to school together in Rockingham, while Koops, the drummer, was a few years older. They were mates, but not super close, until one night at a bar when everything changed. “Max and I kept bumping into each other at nightclubs, talking shit for hours about music and skating,” Cunno remembers. “One night we were out, totally fucked up, talking about starting a punk band, and someone ripped Max’s shirt outside the pub. I just throat-punched them on Smart Street. Good times.” That was the moment things began to fall into place. Max had met Izaac, a bass player, at a skatepark, and the idea of forming a band with Koops was born. Max asked Cunno to join in, and within a week, they were on stage for their first show. Sometimes, it seems like the best things happen when you least expect it—and for Chubrub, it was the beginning of something that would go on to define their wild, rebellious sound.

Chubrub’s music is a reflection of their personalities—fast, loud, chaotic, and unapologetically Australian. “It’s kind of what you get when you put an alcoholic tradie in a ring with a dickhead first-year apprentice who won’t get off his phone,” Cunno says with a laugh. Their songs often take aim at the working-class Aussie narrative: the grind of putting on your boots, heading to the pub, and drinking your life away. But Chubrub isn’t just about mocking that lifestyle—it’s about escaping it. “A lot of our music is about breaking free from the mundane, escaping the soul-sucking routine of life,” Cunno explains. “But we mix that with a whole lot of dumb shit too.”

Their creative process reflects the same reckless, spontaneous energy they put into their music. “There’s a lot of aerosols involved,” Cunno jokes, referring to the way they sometimes get lost in the process. “But honestly, it’s pretty simple—jam a riff for 20 minutes, scream something over the top of it, and bam! That’s our Chub Rub EP.” While they may get sidetracked often, those moments are where they do some of their best work. “We’re all really close mates now, so we just hang out. Usually, we’re jacked up on Aldi beer, forgetting about what we’re supposed to be doing. But that’s when the best lyrics come out.”

When it comes to collaborations, Chubrub is all about keeping it fun. “Who wants to party with Chub?” Cunno asks, laughing. They’re open to working with anyone who’s down for a good time and ready to throw an afterparty. Frenzal Rhomb would be their dream collaborators, but they’re also down for anyone who wants to jump in, no questions asked. In fact, they almost had the chance to open for Guttermouth once, but a last-minute change by the promoter left them with a bitter taste. “That was a stitch-up,” Cunno says. “But opening for Slim Krusty was dope. He’s a legend.”

Chubrub isn’t one to put themselves on a pedestal, and they don’t see their fans as just spectators. “We don’t really think of ourselves as having fans,” Cunno admits. “If you’re out there calling yourself a Chub Rub fan, maybe get your head checked, mate.” But don’t let that fool you—what they mean is they want everyone to be part of the experience. “Come kick back at one of our shows, jump on stage, get in the crowd, jump around. Anything goes. Keep coming to the shows, and we’ll keep providing the good times,” Cunno says. For Chubrub, it’s not just about playing music—it’s about creating an experience where everyone can be a part of the chaos.

The band has mixed feelings about the impact of the internet on the music industry. “It’s fucked it!” Cunno says, laughing. “Stop asking us to do OnlyFans!” But they also recognise the benefits. “The internet makes it way easier to get 5 seconds of fame. But it’s also easier to get blacklisted,” Cunno explains. The digital age has allowed them to show all sides of their personalities, and they’ve embraced it. “We’re multimodal now,” Cunno says with a grin. “Go check out Chub Tube on YouTube, mate!” They acknowledge that social media is now a crucial part of the game. “Managing your socials is part of it these days. So yeah, buckle down and do that TikTok dance,” Cunno laughs, never missing a chance to poke fun at the trends.

When it comes to live shows, Chubrub’s favourite track is “Asbestos.” “It’s literally a song about smoking asbestos,” Cunno says. “People go nuts for it—scrambling for the mic, crowd surfing. Who knew something so dumb could bring people together?” The band clearly thrives on the madness that comes with their live shows, and the crowd’s response only fuels their energy even more.

For Chubrub, it’s not all about music—it’s about living life on their own terms. They’ve got some solid advice for anyone willing to listen: “A) Always weigh your buds when you buy. Don’t get skimped, mate.” And for the more confrontational moments in life, “B) If someone looks like they’re about to punch you, swing—or duck.” But when it comes to the music industry, they have one major gripe: gatekeeping. “It’s a huge problem,” Cunno says. “Especially in the local scene. We’ve played with so many bands, so many different genres, but there are always these weird little communities where people just keep the in-crowd in and the out-crowd out. If we all supported each other, we’d all benefit.”

Chubrub’s mission is simple: break down the walls, have a good time, and keep pushing forward. “What the fuck is a ‘promoter’s cut’?” Cunno asks with frustration. “All the shows we’ve done, we’ve promo’d them ourselves, and we still gotta pay a cut? That can go.” They’re all about doing things their own way, and they don’t plan on stopping anytime soon.

Looking ahead, Chubrub has some exciting things in the works. “We’ve got some heavy hitters coming soon—new tracks, new shows, and we’re just gonna keep doing it,” Cunno says. “Keep partying, keep having fun, and keep sending it.” With their energy and passion, it’s clear that the good times are only just beginning for Chubrub.