The Reverend and Mrs Rowdy emerged full-fledged from the minds of Jem Phillips and Trisha Drioli, like a morning-after vision complete with backstory, bizarre theology, and new-old songs. The vision came to life in a 2015 Adelaide Fringe show and from the ashes of that sold-out season emerged a five-piece Rowdies ensemble. They bring succour and honkytonk redemption to tired sinners, reviving flagging spirits, and spreading a swingin’ gospel of community, localism and drinkin’ dancin’ good-times.
Individual Rowdies have been part of the Adelaide music scene since the 80s. The Reverend (voice, guitar) led the much-loved Adelaide 80s punk-folk band Jack Nasty Face. Mrs Rowdy moved from classical piano (and the kitchen) to that ol’ double bass coz she “just wanted to jam”. Sister Belle, fruit of the loins of the Reverend and Mrs Rowdy, found her superb voice in a musical family and spends her days as a Stage Manager in the Adelaide theatre scene. Add Young Nick Challans (guitar) apprentice carpenter in the very image of JC himself, and you have the genuine original Rowdies sound - spreading important political messages of our time and place, modern stories of post-industrial life, and a honky tonk flavoured Americana gospel according to Hank, Patsy and the Sex Pistols.
Individual Rowdies have been part of the Adelaide music scene since the 80s. The Reverend (voice, guitar) led the much-loved Adelaide 80s punk-folk band Jack Nasty Face. Mrs Rowdy moved from classical piano (and the kitchen) to that ol’ double bass coz she “just wanted to jam”. Sister Belle, fruit of the loins of the Reverend and Mrs Rowdy, found her superb voice in a musical family and spends her days as a Stage Manager in the Adelaide theatre scene. Add Young Nick Challans (guitar) apprentice carpenter in the very image of JC himself, and you have the genuine original Rowdies sound - spreading important political messages of our time and place, modern stories of post-industrial life, and a honky tonk flavoured Americana gospel according to Hank, Patsy and the Sex Pistols.
