With “ROCKSTAR,” New Zealand heavy genre-blenders Banks Arcade deliver a bold, adrenaline-fueled anthem driven by ambition, obsession and the hunger to rise above the chaos. Fusing crushing metalcore riffs with hip hop swagger, massive hooks and late-night studio energy, the track captures the mindset of chasing greatness while still feeling trapped at the bottom.
Fueled by distorted visions, inner demons, and relentless determination, “ROCKSTAR” balances raw aggression with undeniable confidence. Between explosive guitars, hard-hitting rhythms and razor-sharp vocal delivery, Banks Arcade channel the emotional high of believing in yourself even when everything around you says otherwise. The massive chorus — “We’re just second place superstars” — turns frustration and burnout into an anthemic rally cry for anyone still fighting to make it out.
Lyrically, the band paint vivid pictures of sleepless nights, creative obsession and refusing to fold under pressure. “Late night in the studio I’m locked in” and “I’m so up right now / But I’m still at the bottom” perfectly capture the contradiction at the heart of the song: Feeling unstoppable while still battling doubt, exhaustion and the fear of never truly arriving.
Since forming in 2017, Banks Arcade have steadily built international momentum through relentless touring across the UK and U.S., a rapidly growing global fanbase and a sound that seamlessly blends modern heavy music with hip hop, alternative and electronic influences. With “ROCKSTAR,” the band transforms raw hunger into an explosive modern anthem built for loud speakers, dark nights and anyone refusing to give up on themselves.
BANKS ARCADE LIVE:
6/10 — Leipzig, DE — Naumanns (Felsenkeller Leipzig)
6/14 — Brighton, UK — Chalk
6/16 — Stuttgart, DE — Proton The Club
6/25 — Hannover, DE — Musikzentrum
7/10 — Cheltenham, UK — 2000trees Festival
