St Chads Anglican church will be rocking on Saturday, March 6 when punk singer turned priest Josh Jones brings his band, Secret Chords, to the Hibiscus Coast for the first time.
Josh is the vicar at St George’s in Epsom, but in a past life was lead singer with UK punk/new wave band The Quads.
The Birmingham-based group was a favourite of legendary BBC DJ John Peel, who chose their 1979 song, There Must Be Thousands, as his single of the decade, and it remained one of his favourite tracks until his death in 2004.
However, after 25 years of writing, recording and performing music in the UK, Josh embarked on a very different journey that resulted in him and his family following friend and spiritual mentor Rev Iain Gow to Auckland and, subsequently, to his ordination as a priest.
Josh says music has been the constant “enduring melody” in his long journey.
“My guitar has been my travelling companion, as an instrument of discovery, expression and therapy,” he says. “The profound impact that both music and faith have had on my life has inevitably brought me to a place of passion and curiosity to explore how one connects with the other.”
He says the Ōrewa show will explore themes of spirituality – but also the fun – to be found in music by the Beatles, Coldplay, U2, Bob Dylan, Leonard Cohen and others, along with a few of his own self-composed songs.
The evening starts at 7.30pm, with supper and raffles to follow. Tickets cost $20 and all money raised will go to St. Chads’ building fund to replace its old community hall.
Info and tickets: Call Christine or Grant Hodgson on 09 427 8989, Grant on 021 0830 7743, the parish office on 09 426 4952, or email chadorewa@gmail.com
