March to a different beat with MG4

A self-described music frontman from childhood, former Choirboys drummer, Tony Le Rhodes, has always marched to the beat of his own drum.

“I walked around high school with a pair of drumsticks in my pocket and the KISS logo painted onto my school bag with liquid white-out,” Tony says.

“I was just always fascinated by rhythm; I had a thing with it.”

Now, after more than 40 years behind the drum kit, Tony has made his voice heard about why his MG4 is a crucial part of his life.

“Plumbers have their vans and drummers have their MGs,” he says. “The MG4 is the tool of my trade and we work together, hand in hand, and the show goes on.

“With electric drums, they sound like acoustic drums but the advantage is they are more compact, user friendly and easier for the sound guys to manage. It’s ‘plug and play’, much like the MG4 – plug it in, charge it up, and play. Simple.”

Like drumming’s instant spark and intensifying fire, it was love at first sight for Tony and his Volcano Orange MG4, which he first noticed as he drove past an MG showroom one day.

“I saw this flash of orange and I love that colour orange,” he says. “I did a full U-turn and went back in there and saw the car and went, ‘wow’!”

After a quick sit inside and observing the sportiness of the MG4 Essence 64’s interior, Tony knew: “I’ll take this”, he told the dealership.

“Within a few days, I was driving an MG4 Essence 64, and that was one of my proudest moments, actually.”

Famous rockstars have long had a love affair with their cars, often seeing them as symbols of their journey to success and a reflection of their persona. In Tony’s case, the MG4 has become an extension of his personality and style.

“It’s brilliant,” he says of the car, which he quickly christened ‘Pumpkin’. “It’s quick off the mark, there is no noise, it’s economical, easy, very metro – it just buzzes around. It’s a joy to drive.”

But it’s perhaps the EV component that Tony finds the most impressive feature, something that took him by surprise.

In places like Sydney, where the car culture is vibrant, this relationship is even more pronounced. It’s here, amidst the bustling streets, live music venues and scenic drives, that Tony has found his MG4 Essence 64 to be the perfect ride.

“I like the electric movement in drums and tech but I’m also a rev head,” he says.

“So, when my wife first introduced me to an EV, I was reluctant but by the end of our test drive I just said, ‘Shut up and take my money’.”

From the 1980s till now, Tony has embodied the rock ’n’ roll way of life, travelling the world playing the drums, including with Australian rock legends, Choirboys. These days he performs widely within Australia for a whole range of bands.

“I play in bands, I tour around – I travel a lot,” he says.

This means that like any musician on the road, his car is essential.

“As a drummer, the most important thing is your car because you need to get your drums around.

“I did shows for New Year’s in the MG4 – Sydney to Tamworth and then Tamworth to whoop whoop – and it handled it. For me it’s a great touring vehicle; it works well.”

But it’s not all work and no play for Tony. He also loves to go on adventures and road trips with his best mate, his four-year-old Labrador, Winston – and his wife – to see the sights of Australia.

“I love to travel all over the countryside,” he says, referencing the famous Leyland Brothers song.

“From the red outback dust to crocodiles in the Daintree, I have seen some amazing places in Australia.”

And today it’s Pumpkin who helps make the family’s extensive travelling comfortable, easy and affordable.

“I have set up the car for Winston,” Tony says. “He has his portable car water bowl, there is padding in the back, so he can just jump in and we can go.”

For the human and canine best mates, their favourite place to head off to is Sydney’s Northern Beaches.

“We love it there, heading out on the boat,” Tony says. “Winston puts his head in the white-water spray and jumps off the boat. He’s like a person – just don’t tell him he’s a canine, because he doesn’t like that!”

For Tony, the future is EVs – and it’s one we should all get behind.

“It’s the way we are going,” he says.

It is also a future that can be financially beneficial for an EV owner.

“My home’s solar power charges my MG4 and now I have a $470 credit on my power bill. I mean, when does that happen?” he says.

As Tony prepares for upcoming shows, practising his drums with Winston by his feet, Pumpkin is preparing too, charging in his garage. But when it’s time to head off, Tony will pack his drum kit, jump in, connect his phone to a Spotify playlist of songs from the gig’s setlist, and crank those tunes.

“It’s that easy,” he says.

To learn more about the MG4 and how it enhances your lifestyle, head to the MG website.