Comedy's musical head kickers storm on regardless
HAVING given Britain another "spiritual enema", the Doug Anthony All-Stars are now back assaulting the senses of anyone who dares watch the ABC's live Tuesday night program the Big Gig.
And, whether you're there in the studio or watching at home, it is difficult not to take notice of the tongue-in-cheek venom which has become the trio's trademark.
The DAAS - dressed in black with images of hammers and sickles and other iconography - have the knack of being able to uplift and invigorate with their questionable language and lyrics, causing their "congregation" to cringe, squirm and tap their feet at the same time.
Paul McDermott, Richard Fydler and Tim Ferguson have faces - described as angelic by some - which belie their totalitarian air.
Paul sings about his affection for his grandmother in The World's Best Kisser; all three urge everyone to Do The Dead Elvis; and the DAAS version of Jesus Christ Superstar has invoked reactions from laughter to outrage.
"It's a matter of turning an audience, no matter where they are, into a mob," says Tim. "And everyone loves being part of a tribe."
Where do they draw the line between comedy and realism?
Says Richards: "Down the centre of the stage. There's no border where realism starts and comedy ends. Everyone has their own idea of what we're doing. I'll do something aggressive and people will think I'm being funny, but perhaps I'm not. It's all a matter of perception."
The three see their performances as an attack on fanatacism, not merely as participation for its own sake. It might border on gross and it might mock "decent" values, but DAAS audiences get a night of rampant fun.
"Don't wait to be discovered - get out there and kick someone's head in!" is the DAAS philosophy.
Signs saying "Full House" around Australia and, recently, London and Edinburgh, seem to indicate the soundness of their aggressive thinking.
