Knight Rider: Naarm’s New Force in Metal
- The Daily Mirror Rppfm 98.7
- 4 days ago
- 5 min read
CHAT SESSION 136 with ‘Knight Rider Band’ Kit, Finn, George and Tom
Topic- Winner Sound Bar 2025 ‘Battle of the Bands’
Monday 15th Dec 2025 1pm https://rppfm.com.au
Every now and then, a band comes along that reminds you why live music still matters — the sweat, the volume, the chaos, the connection. For Naarm’s Knight Rider, that’s the entire point. This emerging four-piece are tearing through Melbourne’s heavy scene with a mix of classic metal and modern grit, turning heads everywhere they play.
Fronted by Kit Werren, Knight Rider delivers a sound that’s loud, unapologetic, and refreshingly honest. Kit leads from the front - vocals snarling, guitar blazing - and he’s backed by a powerhouse lineup that gives the band its unmistakable punch. Finn Smith brings the low-end on bass, locking in with George Costello’s explosive drumming to form a rhythm section that gives the foundation of the band’s sound. Then there’s Tom Bradshaw, whose riffs and fiery solos give every song that extra spark. Together, they’re the kind of band that makes you feel like you’ve just walked into something real.
Their sound is familiar in the best way — think Nirvana meets Megadeth, with a bit of Guns N’ Rosesswagger thrown in — but there’s also something distinctly their own.
From the Classroom to the Stage
Knight Rider’s story begins at Collarts, one of Melbourne’s universities for the next generation of creatives. That’s where all four members met, each chasing their own musical ambitions before fate brought them together.
Kit Werren and Finn Smith first crossed paths in a uni ensemble. The chemistry was there - two players with the same hunger and the same obsession for heavy riffs. Before long, they were housemates, spending late nights writing songs, recording rough demos in Finn’s bedroom, and building the blueprint for what would become Knight Rider.
Meanwhile, Tom Bradshaw and George Costello were making their own noise around the scene. Kit first saw them perform a raw, rocky version of Geese’s “2122” at a local gig of the band Friends In The Basement - a moment that left an impression. “They just had this energy you couldn’t fake,” Kit recalls. “After the show, I walked straight up to them and said, "Do you want to play in Knight Rider?"
Of course, they said yes. And the rest, as they say, is history.
The Sound of Knight Rider
Trying to box Knight Rider into one genre doesn’t quite work. Their music sits somewhere between metal, punk, and rock, but what really defines them is attitude.
Finn brings a Metallica-inspired weight to the bass - thick, punchy, and full of groove. Kit channels the thrash precision of early Megadeth fused with the sleazy flair of Guns N’ Roses, while his vocals carry the gravelly bite of Dave Mustaine and the theatrical edge of Alice Cooper. Tom adds another layer entirely - shredding one minute, chugging the next - and George’s drumming ties it all together with relentless drive.
It’s heavy, but not sterile. It’s tight, but still wild around the edges. You can feel the sweat and grit in every note.
And lyrically, they don’t shy away from the hard stuff. Knight Rider’s songs dig into real life - the chaos, the heartbreak, the darker thoughts we’re all guilty of pushing aside. It’s music that hits as much in the gut as it does our ears.
“It’s not about perfection,” Kit says. “It’s about passion. We write about what’s real, even when it’s messy.”
Making Noise in Naarm
Since their first gigs, Knight Rider have been putting in the miles — and it’s paying off. They’ve already torn up Bullengarock Festival, opened both of Tiger’s Melbourne shows and many other local and interstate bands, and delivered a powerhouse performance at the R U OK? charity event, using their platform to support mental health awareness.
But their biggest moment so far came when they won the Battle of the Bands at Sound Bar in Rosebud. That victory wasn’t just about bragging rights — it was a turning point. It showed that this wasn’t just another uni band finding their feet. Knight Rider had arrived.
Each gig has pushed them further. They’ve become known for their high-octane performances - the kind where the crowd becomes part of the show. There’s no pretence, no gimmickry - just four mates playing with everything they’ve got.
If you’ve caught them live, you already know: Knight Rider doesn't just stand there, they go off.
Influences and Mentorship
Knight Rider’s influences are easy to spot — Metallica, Megadeth, Guns N’ Roses, Alice Cooper, Nirvana - but there’s more to their sound than who they grew up listening to.
A big part of their development comes down to mentorship. Kit credits Dallas Frasca, one of Australia’s most powerful rock voices, for helping shape his understanding of the industry. Frasca took Kit under her wing, mentoring him and even taking him on multiple tours - an experience that gave him firsthand insight into the reality and rewards of live music.
“Dallas showed me what the grind actually looks like,” Kit says. “It’s not glamorous — it’s long drives, soundchecks, pub meals, and playing your heart out every night because you love it. That’s what stuck with me.”
That lesson became part of Knight Rider’s DNA: work hard, play harder, and always give the crowd a show worth remembering.
What’s Next for Knight Rider
Knight Rider have taken their next big step — they recorded their debut single at Capel Sound Recording Studios. The track captures the full force of their live energy on record. Building on this momentum, they’re now working toward a full-length album, giving fans a deeper look into their evolving sound.
But recording is just one side of the story. For Knight Rider, live performance is everything. The band thrive on stage — it’s where they come alive, where every riff and lyric hits its peak. Gigs aren’t just gigs; they’re events.
Whether it’s chasing new festival slots, supporting killer acts across Melbourne, or organising their own headline nights, the band are focused on one thing: keeping live music thriving.
And with 2026 shaping up to be their busiest year yet, it’s clear Knight Rider isn't slowing down anytime soon.
Knight Rider is loud. They’re raw. They’re real. And they’re exactly what Australia’s metal and rock scenes need right now — a reminder that heavy music is best served live, loud, and full of heart.
If you haven’t seen them yet, fix that. Catch a Knight Rider show and you’ll walk out with ringing ears, sore necks, and a grin that won’t quit. That’s the power of a band who still believe in the magic of rock ’n’ roll.
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