Minnie and The Moonrakers
I
Minnie and The Moonrakers I
Minnie and The Moonrakers is a four-piece rock n roll/rhythm and blues band playing music inspired by the raw, powerful recordings of the 40s and 50s. Howlin’ Wolf, Etta James, Gene Vincent et al. The vocalist, Siobhan O’Brien aka Minnie, is a soulful singer whose voice has been described as gritty, powerful and untamed. She is backed by guitarist, Greg Duncan Powell whose chunky rhythms and edge of the seat guitar riffing sets the groundwork for an original musical gumbo.
In 2021 the musicians had a vision to form a quartet that harnessed their musical aspirations. Shortly thereafter they met veteran performer and former army band master, the upright bassist Stephen Hladio. Minnie and The Moonrakers was born. The band has now brought their brand of rock n roll to a host of festivals, events and venues across the country. In 2024 they were invited by the Canberra Blues Society to open at the International Blues Festival and a memorable gig was supporting 19-Twenty. 2025 saw the band perform onboard the iconic Blues Train, Queenscliif, Victoria.
They recorded their first EP Volume One in early 2024 and they have more recordings in the pipeline.
In a few short years Minnie and The Moonrakers have made a distinct impression on the Australian music scene with a host of festivals, events and dates booked for 2025. The future is up – to quote Les Paul’s famous song, ‘how high the moon?’
“Prepare to be blown away by Minnie and the Moonrakers. High-energy performances, gritty vocals, and a musical experience that is pure adrenaline”
— Chris Tegue, festival director, Crank It Up.
“Insanely infectious. A rare and explosive talent with a powerful sound”
— Sharyn Bilston, Fullhouse Entertainment.
Meet The Moonrakers
Greg Duncan Powell
lead guitarist
Stephen Hladio
bassist (south coast)
Greg Sydenham
drummer (south coast)
Rohan O’Farrell
bassist (regional Victoria)
Scotty Sippel
drummer (regional Victoria)
Gordon Gunn
bassist (Melbourne)
More about The Moonrakers
Greg Duncan Powell, guitarist.
Minnie and The Moonrakers lead guitarist Gregory Duncan Powell has an honours degree in medieval French history. He is the former wine and drinks editor for Vogue Entertaining and Travel, a role he retained for almost two decades. He is the author of eleven food and wine related books including the bestselling Cooking Under The Influence which sold into a number of foreign territories. He is the owner of a sizeable collection of guitars but he always comes back to his beloved Gretsch’s (aka Big Red and Greenie).
Stephen Hladio (OAM), bassist.
Stand up bassist Stephen M Hladio (or Steve as he is affectionately known) is happiest when he is performing or hanging out with his wife - the Dutch supermodel and designer Ankie Kitz. But in one life Steve has lived many. He is widely acclaimed as one of the Australian Army's senior soldiers and in 2006 he received an OAM (Order of Australia Medal) for his service as Regimental Sergeant Major of the Defence Force School of Music and Australian Army Band Corps. He is also a very funny fella. But don’t tell him that…
Greg Sydenham, drummer.
Minnie and The Moonrakers south coast based drummer Greg Sydenham has been playing music for longer than he can remember. He is best described as an intuitive, affable musician (and human being) who can frequently be seen grinning from behind his kit. When he’s not performing or getting lost near Wee Jasper, New South Wales, Greg rides his much loved Triumph Rocket or carouses with the Italian locals in Naples. He has a very hard life. Not.
Rohan O’Farrell, bassist.
Minnie and The Moonrakers bassist Rohan O’Farrell loves seventies panel vans. He is particularly enamoured with his baby blue Ford model which has been seen at a plethora of regional Australian Rod Runs. Rohan also loves 40s fedoras, 50s bowling shirts and long, cruisey drives - traversing the length of Australia to collect his #1 purple flamed upright bass. Additionally Rohan’s well of Australian music history knowledge runs deep. Oh… and his wife Nicole is really good photographer.
Scott Sippel, drummer.
Jindera, New South Wales based Scott Sippel is a musical force to be reckoned with. His drumming is inspired yet gritty with a unique touch. Scotty can go from belting the &$#@ out of his skins to tenderly stroking them with his brushes. He always strikes out a groove. Within the ever-shifting/touring Minnie and The Moonrakers quartet, Scotty drives the beat for the band in regional Victoria, along with the positive energy. When he’s not performing he’s either flying small planes or teaching his very young sons how to hit the skins as well as him. However, unfortunately for Percy and Flynn that may not ever occur. Sorry, lads. Reckon you’re really cute and love you, but…
Gordon Gunn, multi-instrumentalist I
Gordon Gunn, multi-instrumentalist I
Gordon Gunn, multi-instrumentalist I Gordon Gunn, multi-instrumentalist I
Gunn by name gun by nature. Gordon Gunn is a musical behemoth. What can’t he play? Electric bass, double bass, trumpet, flugel horn, trombone, piano, guitar. Oh…. and he sings. Gordie has a Bachelor of Education (Music) from the University of Melbourne and a Masters of Education (Music) from University of Melbourne. His band memberships have included Australasian Orchestra, Brunswick Big Band, Diamond Valley Big Band, Melbourne University Medical Orchestra, Monash Medical Orchestra, Nunawading Grove Big Band, South Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, U3A Hawthorn Symphony Orchestra and Zelman Orchestra. Now he’s lending his musical prowess to Minnie and The Moonrakers… How lucky can one band be?
