The South Australian alt-rock band Gernz is back with "Like a Dobberman," an explosive single that feels both wild and focused. The song is a snarling, hook-heavy blast of nu-grunge that captures everything the band does best, excellent emotion, unfiltered energy, and an unmistakably Australian edge.
Thomas Wilson made the song on the edge of a dormant volcano in Mount Gambier, South Australia. The setting alone hints at the volatile spirit that runs through the music. "Like a Dobberman" sounds like '90s grunge with a lot of grit, but it also has the chaotic freedom of modern DIY punk. The guitars are fuzzy and overdriven, and the rhythm section is pounding. This gives the music a sense of constant forward motion. The vocals cut through with a performance that is both soft and defiant.
The song tells a simple story about a man and his dog. But there's a lot more going on beneath the surface of Gernz's work. The song was inspired by a real event that happened during the COVID border closures between South Australia and Victoria. A friend of the band was separated from his partner and seeking ways to cope. Filming drone footage of beach walks with his dog became both a way to keep his mind off things and a way to stay alive, a small way to feel in control in a situation where he felt powerless.
That duality is at the heart of "Like a Dobberman." The dog is both a real friend and a symbol of depression, resilience, and the quiet strength that comes from routine and connection. It growls and broods, but it never loses its sense of being human. Gernz doesn't just come back with "Like a Dobberman," they show their teeth, reminding us that relief can be loud, messy, and strangely beautiful.