"Feeling down, lonely, in need of a pick-me-up good time? Go and see the Pheasant Pluckers!" This has been the cry of many a respected therapist for well over ten years now, the reason why? When the Pluckers get together and play, their enthusiasm and sheer enjoyment of music is infectious, toes start tapping, lips start smiling and all is good again in the world. 'Acoustic rhythm and roots' is probably the best way to describe this band's love," grown in Melbourne", some like to add. The Pheasant Pluckers love writing songs, their passions are obvious in their music and sincere in their performance but they also revere great songs by great writers as is always evident in their selection of covers.... Dylan, Earl, even Page/Plant often find their way into the Pluckers song list. They travel here, they travel there, from Melbourne to Woodford to Hobart to Port Fairy and back, from the hills to the surf, they've played and played and know most of the pubs in Melbourne town as well (just quietly). There are now four CDs to the Plucker's credit, recorded in various dens including an old, weatherboard house in Anglesea, a tiny booth in a room in Elsternwick and a great old pub in Carlton.

Matty Campbell heads up the crew, driving the band with brilliant rhythm guitar and vocal prowess, 'Rocket' Roderick Boothroyd keeps the band honest with his booming double bass 'Horton'. Keith Ludekens is always there, singing, hitting something or inhaling a blues harp. Two of the most recent members of the gaggle are among the cream of Melbourne's musical best, Peter Somerville is renowned on the banjo and also adds wailing dobro to the sound, while Dan Kerr is mind boggling on Maton acoustic lead. All of them sing in harmonies they're well known for.

The Pheasant Pluckers have been winning the punters for many years now and will do for many more....That's because they love it, you'll love it too.

Band Members

Matt Campbell: Lead vocals & rhythm acoustic guitar. Original co-founder of the Pheasant Pluckers in late 1993, and songwriter of much of the band’s original material. Whipcracker and carrot-dangler, Matt is always talking about the next original album even while working on a current project, and then he starts talking about the one after that.

Keith Ludekens: Backing vocals, harmonica & percussion. First saw the band play at the Maori Chief Hotel in South Melbourne in 1995. He got up and sang along with the band and he never left.

Rod Boothroyd: Double bass & backing vocals. At his first PP gig in 1998, Rod plugged in his six string electric bass to an enormous amp rig with many many cables and little flashing lights. Then one day the wind blew, the clouds parted….and Rod beheld the magnificent vision of a maple upright bass. His life and ours were never the same again.

Dan Kerr: Lead acoustic guitar & backing vocals. Dan has been playing live gigs for over 20 years, mostly on his beloved electric Gibson. We lured him into the Pheasant Pluckers with the promise that if he did a few gigs on his acoustic guitar, he could get out the Gibson one day. Sadly for Dan, he’s just been too hot on the acoustic. We keep promising.

Peter Somerville: Banjo, dobro & backing vocals. Well Pete has been joining the Pheasant Pluckers for about three or four years. Hopefully he’ll keep joining us for many years to come.