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How to do comedy: make up Dumb shit : by Scod from Tripod

 

Somewhere back there in the wings stands Tripod, yet again.  We're all ready to embark on an exciting month at the hallowed Prince Pat, where the stage is built on an ancient comedy burial site and you can still hear the ghosts of comics long gone (i.e. gotten more famous).  It's gonna be a big month for us - rehearsals during the day, some new funnies every week - they say what doesn't kill you makes you stronger (obviously they haven't heard of Polio).

Anyway, all debilitating diseases aside, people often ask me where we get our ideas, so I thought I might take this opportunity to jot down a little insiders guide to the Tripod creative process.  Kind of an Idiot's Guide to well, being an idiot.


I've heard that good art is made up of 10% inspiration and 90% perspiration.  Well, I wouldn't know about good art, but I can tell you about what Tripod do is made up of.  I've had a little think, and I reckon the breakdown is something like this:  3% inspiration, 16% procrastination, 33% perspiration, 7% miscellaneous other odours.  13% conversation about secret Nintendo levels.  9% arguing about whether Hook was a good film, 6% conversation about the girl at the sandwich shop, 15% hanging around the sandwich shop, 8% going home early.  It also helps to know a little about the kinds of jokes there are.  Hey, call me 'doctor deconstructo', but me and the Tripod boys reckon we've narrowed it down to five different kinds of funny.

Dumb Funny - The less intellectual merit the better.  A Tripod Speciality.

Dirty Funny -  Simple, but fills a gap.  Not unlike McDonalds drive through.

Switcheroo Funny - They expect one thing, they get another.  Not unlike McDonalds drive through.

Clever and Socially Aware Funny -  Ummm I'm not particularly au fait with this one.

Not funny - It is an unfortunate fact that 93% of all jokes ever written fall into this category.

The other important ingredient in any collaborative process is of course effective conflict resolution, so we thought we'd give you some advice on the best way to solve arguments.  Now, we couldn't agree on this one - Gatesy said something about trust, but I reckon he was lying.  Yon keeps going on and on about maturity and respect.  He's always been a bit of a tosser.  Anyone who's ever been in a trio will tell you that by far, the best way of reaching any kind of result is, of course, ganging up.  Also, get a director (we got Alan Brough)  That way you always have someone to blame.

And after all that when the time comes to put the stuff out there, we always try to remember the main difference between our job and that of a tatoo artist :  People are quite happy to let you practise on them.  Hey, it it goes wrong you can always turn to drink.  See you at the Peter Cook bar.

 

Impress Magazine, March 2000

 

An Interview with Tripod

Over recent years Australia has been renowned for it's quality stand-up comedy. But is it possible that we're experiencing too much of a good thing? Is this why three funny little men with matching clothes and a guitar are doing big things for Australian comedy both at home and overseas? Melbourne comedy trio, Tripod, are doing for Australian comedy what they Skyhooks did for the Australian music scene in the '70s. They are showing us that we needn't laugh at ourselves or at the world; we can laugh AT THEM.

For Simon Hall (a.k.a. Yon), Scott Edgar (a.k.a Scod) and Steven Gates (a.k.a. Gatesy) (or the green one, the blue one with the guitar and the purple one, respectively) Tripod has been a three and a half year venture which began in the shopping malls of Melbourne. Busking led to exposure and eventually a stint on national television where they performed their 'Oasis anti-tribute song'. This television exposure pricked the ears of nation in the grip of Brit-pop fever and has, eventually, resulted in sell out shows at three consecutive Melbourne International Comedy Festivals, the Lavazza Comedy Award at 1997's Comedy Gala and rave reviews at the 1998 Edinburgh Fringe Festival. From there it has been onwards and upwards for these crazy, Star Wars loving larikins.

I spoke to Gatesy on the eve of preparations for this years Edinburgh Fringe Festival and asked him what he thought of the 'breath of fresh air' label that the group have been branded with. "In a comedy night we always get booked to play at the end. After two hours of solo stand-up, people will always respond to three colourful, bouncy dickheads singing them songs. Not that musical comedy is original but I think our approach to comedy is how you say, 'a breath of fresh air'. We try not to go down the path of "What's goin' on there?" or "How fucked is that?" It's more poking fun at ourselves and constantly trying to prove how fucked we are," he said.

Gatesy sites the trio's influences as "Kiss, Bob Dylan (BEFORE he went electric), Madonna (around the like a virgin period), Duran Duran, Andrew Ridgley, Sherbet, Grand Master Flash and the Furious Five, and Milli Vanilli (after the split up)." But there have been constant comparisons between Tripod and the legendary Doug Anthony All Stars, Gatesy doesn't seem bothered by the whole thing. "It's understandable," he says. "A bit lazy though. There are three of us who sing and the guitarist is on the right, (otherwise the guitar neck gets in the way.) The Doug's were phenomenal. They were the only reason I tuned into the Big Gig. They were also lucky enough to have it their own way - I wish there was a program like that now. I think that's where the comparison ends. I think we're closer to the Empty Pockets and the Scardies (The Scared Weird Little Guys) really. I mean a similar energy is always there, but we're the antithesis of the Doug's where content is concerned. We encourage people to laugh AT us. We're stupid and geeky...very uncool. It's escapism into a dumb world where current affairs and issues don't really play a part...oh fuck, now I'm thinking about it too much."

It is this attitude and approach that has placed Tripod in the 'New Generation of Comedy' bracket with the likes of Merrick and Rosso, Peter Helliar, Corinne Grant, Rove McManus and Wil Anderson (some of whom are now competing with the big guns of Australian comedy at this years Edinburgh Fringe Festival). But according to Gatesy Tripod doesn't seem to fit, "Considering the comedy scene never took us very seriously, if that makes sense at all, it feels odd. Do you have to fill in an application form to be a member? What sort of initiation ceremony will they put me through? Nothing that involves hot oil down the butt-crack I hope."

Tripod (well Gatesy and Peter Helliar) are currently experiencing chart success (Triple J's Net 50 chart, that is) with their song "Bevan: the musical," planning a new CD and enjoying life as the cream of Australia's comedy crop. Rumours of a return to Adelaide for next years Fringe Festival are rampant but for now it's "feature films and drinks at Johnny Depp's Viper Room (just do

Vic

Three-part vocals, a guitar named Courtney and enough pelvic gyrations to make Hot Gossip look like the Royal Ballet Company!!

Buckle up for a fast-paced onslaught of comedy and music rolled into a colourful, lovable and let's face it, downright sexy bundle. Tripod take you on a journey into the lives of Scod, Yon and Gatesy: three skinny, self-effacing, fun-loving lads who, like Kevin Bacon in Footloose, just wanna get down. They help each other understand the problems of the world and even create a few new ones while they're at it. They defend persecuted minority groups from stalkers to breakdancers. They blend 80's nostalgia with Star Wars and challenge the very idea of 'cool'.

Tripod began as buskers and won the hearts of Australia when they performed their Oasis anti-tribute song on a popular national television program. Tripod have made countless TV and radio appearances and have been the darlings of Australian stage and screen ever since. All three have legitimate musical backgrounds, their combined experience ranging from punk bands to opera. They have turned many heads on the hard-core comedy circuit with their coloured super-hero influenced jump suits and friendly, ever-lovin' approach - they don't even swear for fear of disappointing their mums!

In 1997 Tripod took out the Lavazza Comedy Award at the Red Nose Comedy Gala. They've packed out three consecutive years of their Melbourne International Comedy Festival shows, have taken Adelaide by storm in the Adelaide Fringe Festival and have played to rave reviews and packed houses twice at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

Where have TRIPOD been all your life?? The dukes of haphazard have brought their own brand of geek chic to pubs, festivals, theatres, universities, corporate events, functions, radios and televisions for over four years. Tripod regularly dazzle audiences in live venues and in 1997 their debut CD entitled "Box Set" was launched. They have performed for some of Australia's biggest corporations, including most major advertising companies, Coles-Myer, IBM and Coca-Cola.

Since 1997 they have wowed critics and punters alike with their Melbourne Comedy Festival shows. "Welcome to my Wonderwall" was folllowed by their sellout '98 show entitled "Tripod are Handsome". 1999 saw Tripod in the Melbourne International Comedy Festival Roadshow, taking live comedy to regional Victoria, Queensland and Tasmania.

In August 1998, Tripod stormed the Edinburgh Fringe Festival for the first time and played to capacity houses and countless rave reviews. They were picked up for special appearances on BBC Television and many other radio and TV spots. The now traditional pilgrimage continued in 1999 as they were invited for a return season. The ensuing success justified the organiser's faith.

Tripod have recorded specials for Channel 9 and Foxtel's Comedy Channel and have also been guests on Hey, Hey It's Saturday, Recovery, Plucka's Place, Stateline, Foxtel's Hostings and Live at the Laugh, Good Morning Australia and In Melbourne Tonight.

Tripod have been featured on every major Australian radio station and they compose and perform parody "stingers" for the Austereo Network nationwide. They've played beside Triple M's Squirrel Grippers at the Mercury Lounge and each year turn the Prince Patrick Hotel into a fire hazard for their packed out, one-night-only Christmas show, "A Very Tripod Christmas."