Tripod - a three armed musicalmachine

Mon 26th Nov, 2007 in Features

Scod (Scot Edgar), Yon and Gatesy are Tripod, three guys who are in serious danger of making musical comedy cool. They have guest programmed RAGE, had a regular spot on Triple J Breakfast show with their Song in an Hour segment, been nominated for several Aria Awards and sold out shows at the Sydney Opera House, Melbourne Comedy Festival and Edinburgh Festival just to name a few.

Fellow comedian Lisa Lamb interviewed Scott Edgar (Scod) who revealed that Tripod are much more than a musical comedy act, they are the classic comedy three hander; the cool guy, the self confessed nerd and the weird guy, who sing songs about Rock Eisteddfods and X Box Love.

I like your website its very Gary Gygax. Whose idea was that?
I’m glad you spotted that. We wanted to give it an early 80’s Dungeons & Dragons theme, so some of the pages look like they’re straight out of the Players Handbook. I still play D & D it’s part of being a self confessed nerd, that and liking Terry Pratchett, it comes with the territory.

How did you first get started in musical comedy?
It requires a healthy disregard for ever making any money, ha ha.
Yon and I met around ‘91, we were busking together, singing for our supper. Yon was right into musicals so we formed a barber shop quartet in a totally weird way, it all started with amateur theatre at Uni. I was singing in Man of La Mancha and had some rudimentary guitar skills, I’ve now moved on to rudimentary piano skills. I consider TRIPOD a way of getting paid to practise guitar. Though its now a two guitar band as Gatesy plays and sometimes Yon plays the trumpet. Almost like a real band.

How did the comedy develop?
We never intended get into comedy at least not stand up, but we kind of fell into it. In ‘97 I worked for a theatre who were looking for an act for the Melbourne Comedy Festival so I said I have this band, we do stupid versions of pop songs and obscure chorography, so it was like an odd journey into cabaret, then we had to put some jokes in. The following year we went to Edinburgh and realized it was just like being in Australia what’s funny is funny, comedy is universal. We did that for two years, then didn’t return to Edinburgh until 2007, we decided we’d rather stay in Melbourne and build our audience.

Who are your favourite comedians?
Daniel Kitson is the best stand up. Though I like the old movie comedians like Jerry Lewis and Dean Martin, its snappy, funny stuff or Marilyn Monroe in Some Like it Hot, musicians on the run really appeals to me.

Tell us about the Tripod Xmas show – Smaller than Jesus …
Its the least controversial claim you can make, the exact opposite to what John Lennon said, though apparently its still too controversial in Perth. We do a Xmas show every year, this one will be like a Bing Crosby Xmas album, with funnier characters. I personally think there should be more serious Xmas albums, not just pop Xmas albums, I’d like to see Jet put out a Xmas Album.

Who are your musical influences?
I believe the albums your parents listen to really shape you, like Harry Belafonte or Willie Nelson’s Stardust or maybe The Jungle Book.
Though I really like Rufus Wainwirght can’t wait to see him live.

Were you nominated for an Aria again this year?
We’ve been nominated seven times and we’ve won once, we’re like the John Waters of the Arias. I don’t think there’s much competition in the Best Comedy Release section, this year included a 2 albums and three DVD’s, so there’s the secret, if you want to get an aria nomination put out a comedy CD. Though its always a good show and a good party and we get to catch the limo around the block and dress up like rock stars or at least like old school cabaret stars.

So what does 2008 hold for TRIPOD?
We’re touring London in February, then hopefully more music festivals, we’re playing the Woodford Folk Festival and the Falls Festival but I’d love to do the Big Day Out. Its a good way of getting through to a new audience who come for music rather than comedy and if you’re funny, that’s just a bonus.

If you had the choice of any rock star- Who would you like to collaborate with?
Missy Higgins just out of pure respect for her song writing or Wally De Backer I love his bands Goyte and the Basics. We’ve been having a lot of fun on The Sideshow – ABC TV collaborating with other musicians and caburlesque acts like Tiger Lil & La La Parlour its been a real carnie year for us. We had a burlesque act on before us and after us at the Melbourne Comedy Festival this year so we were sharing the dressing room with showgirls and I looked around and thought this is why I got into show business!

What advice do you have for new comedians ?
Back off we don’t need the competition!

TRIPOD Xmas Show- Smaller than Jesus
December 1st at the Tivoli

Tripod will also be appearing at Falls Festival Click Here for more info

You can also catch Scott Edgar and the Universe serving up their album launch at the Famous Spiegeltent.
The Famous Spiegeltent , Melbourne, VIC
Wed 28 Nov 2007, 07:00 PM