There’s nothing more Canberran than home-grown “mongrel Jazz” band The Gadflys performing at that other Canberra institution, Smith’s Alternative.

These guys are part of the furniture, born out of Canberra’s ‘80s local punk scene but brandishing —of all things—clarinet, classical guitar and double bass. Less agro punk, more groovy Gadflys (think cool jazz). 

Brothers Phil and Mick Moriarty have come a long way since their first dance-pop gig at Manuka Football Club in 1982. Forty-two years later, they’ve amassed six albums, thousands of touring miles and a staunch following.

It always feels like a family affair when the Moriarty brothers roll into town—and not just because they still have cousins in Canberra. They grew up here and cut their teeth on the local music scene, so it’s a real homecoming.

Not only do they have a massive back-catalogue to draw from (many encores go without saying) but The Gadflys love returning to their old stomping ground—and so do their loyal fans.

The title of their latest compilation album, Forty Years in the Wilderness, couldn’t be further from the truth as The Gadflys haven’t been in the wilderness but rather, supported the likes of Neil Finn and Yothu Yindi and played at the Edinburgh Festival.

Their classical instrumentation is a far cry from their old plugged-in punk incarnation (Canberra punk outfits The Slammers and Brainiac Five) but the brothers still retain the urgency and energy of punk.

This Saturday night, Phil (on clarinet) and Mick (classical guitar) will be joined by friends Kathryn Brownhill on violin, Gemma Clare on cello and Pete Kelly on trumpet, along with drums.

“We’ve got the biggest band we’ve ever travelled with,” Phil said from the south coast, where he now lives. “We hit 40 years in 2022—I know, it’s shocking.”

Perhaps what’s even more shocking is the headline they made a few years ago in the Bega District News. Phil had a heart attack mid-show at the Tathra Pub. A heart-stopping show, literally.

“I now wear a heart monitor under the skin that dangles two wires into your heart because my heart now has a tendency to race,” Phil said. “If it goes too fast, that’s not good, and if I’m sort of falling over, it will defibrillate me by giving me a big bang. But I’m learning how to pull the music way back and let the audience come to you, less is more.”

The Gadflys play at Smith’s Alternative on Saturday 28 September, 6pm. Tickets here: smithsalternative.com.au