Wildlife Documentaries EP - The SSS blogs monumental 500th Post

Well loyal readers of the SSS blog we have made the very special
milestone of our 500th post.
When I started this blog back on Australia Day 2008 I never guessed
what a wonderful time it would be. Coming up to 3 years at the end
of next January I think Myself and Chuck shall have to think up an
great post for that!


This EP is a very special record I've kept up my sleeve for a special
occasion. Wildlife Documentaries was formed in the early 80s after
the original Saints split.
Ed Kuepper and Ivor Hay returned to Australia,
Hay joined The Hitmen, and Kuepper formed Laughing Clowns.
Chris Bailey remained in the UK and set about assembling a
new version of The Saints that initially included Hay on drums
(who returned to the UK briefly).

After that, Hay formed this jazz-inspired combo
Wildlife Documentaries back in Sydney.Described as a "steel skeleton with a heart of brass"
they released this ep on M squared in June 1982.
And that was it, shame really because this band had a
wonderful sound very much in the same vein as the
Laughing Clowns.After the end of this band Ivor rejoined Bailey in The Saints
during 1985.
Howard Cairns has continued working is music and after 25 years
has recently put out a record read all about it Here


Wildlife Documentaries are

Ivor Hay - Drums and Vocals
Howard Cairns - Guitar and Vocals
Mark Spence - Bass
Michael Charles - Alto Sax

Also playing on this record

Louise Elliot - Tenor Sax
and Greg Thorne - Trumpet

Track List

Forest for the Trees
Tremble
Promise Me
Ghetto Strength


Download Here

Laughing Clowns - Laughing Clowns live Tivoli 25_01_10

Chuck's recording of perhaps The Laughing Clowns last performance
is here. Chuck had a bit of trouble with his settings and thinks
that Turn it up has a better recording.
You can find that recording here
As well as the Dirty Three.
Turn it up is one of the greatest Brisbane blogs so check it out.
Thanks Chuck!

Check out Andrew Millen's excellent review at mess and noise
here

Thanks Andrew

Tracklist
01 Introduction
02 Theme from Mad Flies, Mad Flies
03 Every Dog Has Its Day
04 Holy Joe
05 Sometimes
06 The Laughing Clowns
07 Ghost Beat
08 I Want to Scream
09 Clown Town
10 Everything That Flies
11 Collapse Board

Download Part1
Download Part2

The Laughing Clowns - Every Dog Has Its Day - Live @ The Tivoli - 25 Jan 2010

Chuck Managed to video this song on Tuesday night from
out in the crowd. My personal favorite
"Every Dog Has Its Day"

Laughing Clowns - Live at the Tivoli 25-01-10

Well last night the Laughing Clown returned to Brisbane for the
Don't look back concert series

Performing their early 'hits' package 'History of Rock n' Roll
Volume One', in its entirety.
Yep, the same line-up that emerged after a 25 year hiatus to
perform at this years inaugural Australian All Tomorrow's Parties
Festivals - Kuepper, Wegener, Elliott, Miller and Spence
- will join forces once more time to put new life into old classics
such as Holy Joe, Sometimes (I Just Can't Live with Anyone)
and Everything That Flies.



And what a performance it was, a great collection of songs including
many that I wished for last time. The band playing even better than
last year, Ed in a jovial mood , what more could one ask for.
When I say the band was playing well, they were all fantastic.
Louise and Jeff particularly on fire and everyone playing
of each other.
Ed was in fine form in the bad joke department, at one time telling
a long story about razorback pigs and Jeff drum brushes.





My personal favourite "Every dog has its day"
was amazing with its incredible bass line ,
"Holy Joe" squawked and soared,
"Sometimes",which is perhaps their best song blew me away,
Jeff let loose like a drummer possessed on "The Laughing Clowns"
"I Want To Scream" surprised me sounding so fresh after all this time
but the 11.30 min version of "Collapse Board" was something else.
It was as if they had decided to take it to the same place Eternally
Yours went and turn it into the extended hyper-ballad that song
is live. I didn't even miss Eternally yours after that.





A fantastic night but its not over yet, The Dirty three follow.
I shall post on them next.
I got to finally met up with both Chuck and John,
both SSS blog contributors and we all had a fantastic time.
I know many more readers were there, but it was crowded
and once I settled in a good spot I didn't move around much.
I also picked up two live clowns cds how the Prince Melon
bootleg series.





And this rather blurry photo is Chuck trying to get a bit of video,
he has recorded and its all good I hear.
The sound on the night had a few issues with distortion and
feedback, so he's trying to overcome that.
I also got 3 songs on video,
they will take longer to get up to posting stage.
As by coincidence today is the SSS blogs 2nd birthday
and I can think of no better post to celebrate

Laughing Clowns - Foundry Stage, Cockatoo Island, Sydney, ATP 18-01-09

For all you Laughing Clown completists like myself, here's
the last of the clowns recent reunion shows. By some accounts
a better show than the day before and this time a complete
recording. The same songs as the earlier shows and the same
45 min set. And of course the same brilliance that is the
Laughing Clowns
All thanks to the taper crankingamps who has done
a superb job yet again.

Track list
01. intro (5:14)
02. The Flypaper (5:05)
03. Come One, Come All (6:51)
04. Everything That Flies (4:57)
05. Nothing That Harms (5:55)
06. Collapse Board (10:34)
07. Eternally Yours (7:50)

Download Here

Laughing Clowns - Cockatoo Island, Sydney ATP, 17-01- 2009

Finally patience has won and the first of the two Sydney shows
is here. This is a great recording,by all accounts a great
performance, only too short.
Same songs as all the gigs and Ed seems jubilant.
By the look of the photos Ed used the same amp set
up for the Clowns as for the Saints, which was on two
bands later. So an hour and a half break and he was back
again with his old high school band.
Hes a hard working rock star Ed.
So I'm looking for your first hand accounts of this
fabulous gig, please tell us all in the comments.
All thanks to the taper crankingamps who has done
a superb job again.

Make sure you check out Michaela's fantastic review
of this performance in the comments.
Here's a little of what she has to say.

It was all too brief, and so much to take in.
Jeff is always riveting, Louise was something
out of this world, and Ed...
I can sit and watch Ed’s sexy guitar playing
all day long. I’m fascinated by the way his conveys
such intensity and such elegant looseness
at the same time.

I couldn't have said it better myself.

Track list
01. The Flypaper [incomplete]
02. Come One, Come All (7:15)
03. Theme From 'Mad Flies, Mad Flies' (4:51)
04. Nothing That Harms (6:14)
05. Collapse Board (11:56)
06. Eternally Yours (8:25)

Download Here

Laughing Clowns - ATP Mt Buller10-01-09

.. the reformed Laughing Clowns turn in an enrapturing
performance of their jazz-affected post-punk and
conclude with the towering saxophone melody
and festival highlight of Eternally Yours. -
Andrew McMillen
LAST -FM review of ATP, Mt.Buller

A very nice recording of the Laughing Clowns first show of
their reunion tour as part of the ATP line up.
The same songs as done in Brisbane, without the encore.
Special thanks to the taper crankingamps.

Now for the big news from the clowns myspace site.

Forty Five minute sets at All Tomorrow's Parties
were just a teaser for what the Clowns promise
this May.

Don't miss the reunion they
thought would never happen -
LAUGHING CLOWNS - live in May.

May
2nd & 3rd: Sydney, The Basement
Tickets on sale January 23rd from
feelpresents.oztix.com.au
or www.thebasement.com.au ..
or via phone: 92512797

You lucky Sydney people.
While you in a Clowns type mood check
out RLM's fab written piece called
Laughing Clowns - Secret Legends.
Find it Here

Tracklist

01. Soundcheck [incomplete] (2:06)
02. Intro (5:42)
03. The Flypaper (4:33)
04. Come One, Come All (6:59)
05. Everything That Flies (5:36)
06. Theme From 'Mad Flies, Mad Flies' (4:35)
07. Nothing That Harms (5:42)
08. Collapse Board (11:51)
09. Eternally Yours (11:43)

Download Here

Laughing Clowns - Brisbane, Gallery Of Modern Art, 23-01-09

25 years since this band last played here, a lot of excited people,
a venue that fits perfectly with the band and 5 musicians that
delivered on one of the most anticipated performances I have
even been to. What a night and thanks to Brisbane's resident
audio historian we have a recording.
Chuck has managed a great recording, in what is an enormous
cavern of a venue. He has also rushed the magic processing and
art production to give us this by Sunday morning, Brilliant work.
And by the wonders of what is the internet you may download
this in France or somewhere over the over side of the world
and be listening to it in no time at all.
All thanks to Chuck who specially got time off work to do this.
And to the clowns who gave us a very special performance.
While your at it check out two very different and well written
reviews of the night Andrew has brought to my attention.

Andrews review here

Andrew was blown away as most by the clowns
brilliance.

and

Everett's True's article about this show here.

I don't think Everett is down on the band he
just didn't like the venue and the crowd,
Odd I thought the night had an excellent
vibe.

And tomorrow will be Australia Day which makes it exactly
one year since this blog began and what better way to
celebrate.

Laughing Clowns - 23-01-09
Gallery Of Modern Art
Brisbane
Tracklist
00 Intro
01 Fly Paper
02 Come One. Come All
03 Everything That Flies Is Not A Bird
04 Theme From Mad Flies, Mad Flies
05 Nothing That Harms
06 Collapse Board
07 Eternally Yours
encore
08 Bully in Town
09 Winters Way

Edmund Kuepper - guitar/vocals
Jeffrey Wegener - drums
Louise Elliott - saxophone/flute
Leslie 'Bif' Millar - bass
Alister Spence - keyboard

Download Here

Laughing Clowns - Eternally Yours - Goma, Brisbane, 23-01-09

In another Striped Sunlight scoop, I have my 2nd video from
the night. This one has Ed Kuepper introducing the band in
typical Ed fashion before launching into the crowd favorite
of the night. Listen to the crowd when the sax part of
the song is first played.Its true to say the song is played
different to the clowns recording, some may prefer the
original, but I really like this.
Kenneth was impressed, here's how he saw it.

Eternally Yours! What a ride! Just loved the way they
dipped and worked up the momentum on that one like some
rollercoaster! At one point I just to yell,
"Here we go again!" ... and away we went!

Laughing Clowns - Nothing That Harms, Goma Brisbane, 23-01-09

Another Striped Sunlight first I have a one song
video from last nights performance.
Bear in mind I was right up front next to the left
speaker column, so theres a bit of distortion,
however the action is superb and it gives you a
bit of an idea of what I've been talking about.



Laughing Clowns - Nothing That Harms Goma 23-01-09

The Laughing Clowns Come Back To Town

The mighty phoenix of the Laughing Clowns
will rise from the ashes to again show that
everything that flies is not a bird.
Jeffrey Wegener



And the phoenix did rise, all the expectations
were surpassed, in the kind of performance
that will be remembered here as one of the
greatest. All of the elements that made this band
unique were there, these guys are musicians
of the type streets ahead of the others and
they were clearly working well together and
enjoying it immensely.



As did the crowd who were captivated and
enthralled through the entire show.
The trouble is finding the words to describe
what happened on the stage, except it was
brilliant.


Ed Kuepper was his usual brilliant self,
joking and generally enjoying the whole thing.
Playing like the genius he is, but not dominating.
The Clowns was the band that introduced Ed's
vocal work to the world and they remain some
of my favorite of his vocal performances.
If his voice had been under any strain after
the ATP gigs it didn't show.

Ed's Amp guitar set up for the clowns is a bit,
um, smaller than for the saints. Gone are the
Marshall amps, instead a vox. The vg8 and strat
are still there, but we have a whole different sound.




Jeff Wegener was on fire, he retains his place
as the greatest drummer I've ever seen and
the only one who has got my attention over
everything else going on in a band, repeatedly.



Louise Elliott is just an incredible improvisational
musician, she is the lead focal point in a band
where everything can compete for your attention
all at once and she gets it.






Leslie 'Bif' Millar is a fantastic bassist and a
admirable musician who put on a fine show.
Innovative and a worthy partner to Jeff in the
percussion section, I thoroughly enjoyed his
work.



Also on tour was Alister Spence on
keyboard, the only not original member,
he is a brilliant and well respected jazz
musician who apart from being very happy,
added a lot to increase the depth of sound.




Goma the venue for the event is Brisbane's
pride and joy, our fantastic fairly new
Gallery of Modern Art, the prefect place to
see a band who have often been identify
as an art band. Before the gig we just wandered
round looking at the fantastic exhibits, it was a
great vibe and a great way to get in the
mood. Eds inclusion of collapse board in
the set was a very funny reference to the
Gallery's exhibit theme, optimism.



The visual art on display behind the
band during the performance is the
stunning work of Judi Dransfield Kuepper
and David Granato, which of course was
fantastic.



I know heaps of you guys were
there and it was great to catch up with Glen
at the show, but I what to hear all your
reviews.
I was rather organized this time and took
a pen and paper to record the set list.
Best of all news has come in Chuck made
the gig against the odds and recorded it.
Fantastic news indeed.

Laughing Clowns, Goma, Brisbane, 24-01-09.

Set List
01 Fly Paper
02 Come One. Come All
03 Everything That Flies Is Not A Bird
04 Theme From Mad Flies, Mad Flies
05 Nothing That Harms
06 Collapse Board
07 Eternally Yours
Encore
08 Bully in Town
09 Winters Way

Check out in the comments for plenty more reviews
from blog readers. , such as

The great music of the past shone in an atmosphere
that was joyous for the past of not only the band,
but of the majority of the audience and that audience
that included me!
The Laughing Clowns are one of the greatest bands ever!

John

Been a while since I've been so excited by a gig that really
really delivered. My expectations were very high
and I was certainly not disappointed.
Hence exclamation mark overload! :)

Kenneth

As others have said, great set and Bully was a highlight
for me after Eternally Yours. Also, Ed actually said that
Winters Way pre-dated the Saints, implying I think
that it was a simple little number.
How far from the truth.

Anonymous

So add yours too.