All Stars back with new targets in sight

THE Doug Anthony Allstars were originally an acoustic trio, comprising Paul McDermott and Tim Ferguson on main vocals and Richard Fidler on guitar and backing vocals.

When the group reformed in 2014, Paul Livingston (aka Flacco) replaced Fidler on guitar.

The group was conceived 30 years ago in Canberra, busking at shopping malls and singing beautiful/offensive songs.

In 1987, DAAS arrived at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and quickly attracted a loyal following and gained a reputation for their anarchic live shows, playing to packed houses and grabbing the attention of the world comedy scene.

From the famous theatres in London’s West End to tiny late night shows in Irish pubs, DAAS were fast becoming Australia’s most feared, loathed and adored of all comedy exports.

Meanwhile, in Australia, television comedy producer Ted Robinson had secured the trio for his live-to-air ABC comedy show The Big Gig. From 1989-1991 Australia television had its foundations rattled by the phenomenon that was the Doug Anthony Allstars. On the live circuit, DAAS began playing the type of venues normally reserved for rock bands and receiving the adulation to match.

In 1991 the trio broke away from The Big Gig to launch their own ABC TV sitcom, DAAS Kapital; a program that outraged viewers around the world, and was banned in Japan and Germany.

The show featured DAAS trapped in a submarine with Paul (Flacco) Livingston, cabaret king Bob Downe and the misunderstood psychopath American Bob.

After two seasons of DAAS Kapital’s moral mayhem, the group farewelled Australia and relocated to New York and then to the UK.

In 1994, the supernova imploded. The Doug Anthony Allstars threw in the towel and it stuck to the wall. The members went their respective ways and the world was safe again.

Now, they are back. Be mildly unnerved. Be very mildly unnerved.

You can catch this amazing performance at The Empire Theatre on Saturday, June 3 at 8pm.

For tickets visit empiretheatre.com.au.