Kev’s ready to shock and awe

TRUE “blue’’ Aussie larrikin Kevin Bloody Wilson has taken his Almost Awesome brand of musical comedy on the road once more, and will drop in to Tasmania for three shows next week.

Wilson’s unlikely comedy career began in the early ’80s when he recorded a cassette called Your Average Australian Yobbo, and unexpectedly sold tens of thousands of copies. He hasn’t looked back since.

With many of his songs pushing the boundaries of political correctness and good taste, Wilson has succeeded despite a lack of mainstream media support.

Some 30 years since he would get arrested for performing his songs in public, his music is now preserved for generations to come in Canberra’s National Film and Sound Archive.

His record sales are now nudging the four million mark, with all of his albums achieving at least gold status. One album, 1997’s Kev’s Back (the return of the yobbo), went quadruple platinum.

Last week Wilson hit the road for his Almost Awesome national tour, which sees Wilson dip into his extensive back catalogue to perform fan favourites such as D.I.L.L.I.G.A.F, Dick’taphone, I Knew the Bride (When She Used to be a Mole) and Living Next Door to Alan.

The Almost Awesome tour finishes with three shows in Tasmania next week, starting at the Burnie Arts Centre (Town Hall) at 8pm on Tuesday (phone 6431 4114 for bookings).

Wilson then performs at Country Club Tasmania in Launceston from 8pm next Thursday (May 3), and at Wrest Point from 8pm next Friday (May 4).

Tickets to the Launceston and Hobart shows are $77.41, phone 136 100 or go to www.ticketmaster.com.au or for bookings.