Tripod (band)


Tripod are an Australian musical comedy trio founded by Scod, Yon and Gatesy in 1996. They provide original songs and harmonies, strung together by comic banter.

History

Live shows

Tripod emerged from the thriving Melbourne live music pub scene of the mid nineties, supporting popular local cover bands in such places as the Station Hotel, The Esplanade, the Central Club, the New Orleans Tavern and the Ritz, St Kilda. They were very much a cover band at first, performing three part harmony versions on hits by the likes of Elvis Costello, Bowie, the Beach Boys and Queen. Prior to this they did their time as buskers in Melbourne malls with a far-fetched prop act of which no record exists. They garnered a local following via regular residencies at the Commercial Hotel, Yarraville, just after it stopped being a biker bar.
They soon became regulars at the Prince Patrick Hotel in Collingwood, a Melbourne comedy venue, where they honed their skills in residencies and appearances from 1998 through to its demise in 2003.
Tripod are stalwarts of their home festival, the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, where they often performed since 1997, when they took their pub act and jammed it into a one-hour festival format at St Martins Youth Arts Centre, in a show entitled Welcome to My Wonderwall. They have appeared on music festival stages including the Falls Festival, the Port Fairy Folk Festival, the Queenscliff Music Festival and the Woodford Folk Festival.
Tripod have appeared internationally, including the Montreal Just For Laughs festival and the Upright Citizens Brigade theatre in New York and Los Angeles. They have played the Edinburgh Fringe numerous times.
They have also toured the Australian rural countryside including long stints with the MICF Roadshow.
Tripod alternate the form of their shows between the song-and-sketch cabaret gig format and narrative musicals. Their first "story" show was Tripod Tells the Tale of the Adventures of Tosswinkle the Pirate , which premiered at the MICF before touring nationally.
Their narrative show, Lady Robots, was first previewed at the 2002 Adelaide Fringe Festival before it was performed at the MICF later that year. The show was a musical comedy telling the story of three men who are hurled into space where they come across a planet populated only by Lady Robots. Tripod performed a re-jigged version of the show, Lady Robots v1.1 at the Athenaeum Theatre at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival in 2005, before a national tour culminating in a hit season at the Sydney Opera House. No recordings are known to exist.
On 30 January 2010, Tripod held the world premiere of their comedic musical Tripod versus the Dragon at the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art in North Adams, Massachusetts, United States. Elana Stone co-starred in the production in the role of "The Dungeon Master"/"Dragon" after Megan Washington, who had been co-writing songs for the production, declined the role due to scheduling conflicts. The production is based on the Dungeons and Dragons role-playing game. Tripod went on to perform this show at the Adelaide Fringe Festival, Melbourne International Comedy Festival, the Sydney Opera House, and the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 2010, as well as subsequent seasons in Perth, Brisbane, regional Victoria and the Przeglad Piosenki Aktorskiej festival in Wroclaw, Poland.
In January 2013, Tripod joined forces with Australian performer Eddie Perfect to create Perfect Tripod, a show of classic Australian songs arranged in four-part harmony, inspired by their cover of Meet Me in the Middle of the Air performed on The Sideshow on 13 October 2007. Perfect Tripod toured concert halls throughout the nation and have collaborated with such Australian pop music greats as Gotye and Missy Higgins.
In October 2014, Tripod performed live at the international gaming convention, PAX, in Melbourne at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre. There they performed a short preview of This Gaming Life, an original collaboration between Tripod, Grammy nominated composer Austin Wintory and the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra.
In 2015 This Gaming Life played to rapturous houses at Hamer Hall, Victorian Arts Centre, with a 55 piece orchestra conducted and arranged by Wintory. The show was a full scale two-act orchestral love letter to the culture and relationships of passionate video gamers, and has been described as the "Stand By Me of the gamer generation."

TV

The band got their first break appearing on Hey Hey It's Saturday's "Red Faces" contest, where they performed a parodic medley of Oasis hits that demonstrated similarities between the songs.
Their first regular TV appearances were on In Melbourne Tonight with Frankie J Holden. Throughout the 1990s and early 2000s they also showed up regularly on such live TV stalwarts as Good Morning Australia with Bert Newton, Denise with Denise Drysdale and popular Saturday morning live rock show Recovery.
Tripod were a feature act in Network Ten's 2003/2004 sketch comedy television show skitHOUSE, writing and performing sketches and songs as part of the core cast.
They performed on Rove/Rove Live in 1999, 2003, and 2004, and were guest programmers of Rage in 2004.
Tripod were also core cast performers on the 2007 ABC weekly variety program The Sideshow.
The group made frequent musical appearances on Network Ten's Good News Week from 2009 to 2011, and have appeared on various ABC1 programs, including Spicks and Specks, and Adam Hills Tonight.
They have appeared yearly for almost two decades on the Oxfam Melbourne International Comedy Festival Gala.

Radio

Tripod have appeared as guests throughout their career on popular Australian radio stations.
Their Song-in-an-Hour Challenge was a popular segment on Triple J's drive-time show with Merrick and Rosso, and later on the Triple J Breakfast show with Wil Anderson and Adam Spencer. In it they had one hour to write and arrange a coherent song based on incoherent listener suggestions and then perform said song to an eager national audience. Tripod often refer to this experience as their songwriting boot camp.
Two CDs containing some of the finest examples of these sessions have been released, each also including recordings taken from live Song-In-An-Hour challenges featured in Tripod's Pod August Nights concerts. In late 2005, they moved to Fox FM where they could be heard on Peter Helliar's weekly Friday morning show, Pete's Show.

Podcast

On December 24, 2015 Tripod along with host Andrew Pogson started a regular podcast titled Initially started to promote their upcoming tour, the ongoing series shifted its focus covering any number of topic including current themes or stories from Tripod's 20+ years together. Each podcast centers around a theme in which host Andrew Pogson attempts to keep the members of Tripod to. Tripod also play live or play recordings of their songs which loosely relate to the episode's theme.
101 Hits #SongFromEpisode Song Appearances
1A Shandy Too FarBox Set - 1996
2Adult ContemporaryMen of Substance - 2013
3Air GuitarThe Sideshow - 2007
4All I WantThis Gaming Life - 2015 - featuring Poggo as electric guitar solo via mouth
5Ancestors1999 - a cappella style
6AquamanPerfectly Good Songs - 2007 - Guitar solo acoustic
7AstronautMiddleborough Road - 2004
8Ballad of RonnieHow to Train an Attack Dog from Scratch - 2007
9BardTripod Versus the Dragon - 2010 - featuring Yon on Trumpet, Differences: No Elana Stone
10The BlueprintMen of Substance - 2013
11BoggymanAbout an Hour of Song-In-An-Hour...Again - 2003 - Album version
12Bubble HelicopterTripod Tells the Tale of the Adventures of Tosswinkle the Pirate - 2001
13Building an EnidTripod Tells the Tale of the Adventures of Tosswinkle the Pirate - 2001
14Change a ThingMonster Beach - 2014
15Christ is BornFor the Love of God! - 2008
16Climate ChangeMen of Substance - 2013
17CuckoldOpen Slather - 2000
18DILFMen of Substance - 2013
19Do Go OnThis Gaming Life - 2015
20Does It Have Guns?This Gaming Life - 2015 - Demo version with synth orchestra
21Don't Feel BadTripod Versus the Dragon - 2010 - Differences: No Elana Stone, Yon sings Elana's parts, No Trumpet
22Drive KingDrive King - 1984
22Drive KingDrive King - 1984 - featuring Andrew Pogson on Blaxophone
23EnidTripod Tells the Tale of the Adventures of Tosswinkle the Pirate - 2001 - Gatesy accidentally sings one of Yon's part
24FabianFegh Maha - 2004 - Instrumental only / Jamming with Poggo
25Fear of ShortsPod August Night - 2006
26Fly So HighMiddleborough Road - 2004
27Gay BarMen of Substance - 2013
28Ghost ShipTripod Tells the Tale of the Adventures of Tosswinkle the Pirate - 2001 - Yon struggles to clear his throat, Scod asks if his OK and Gatesy comments that Yon is dying
29The Gods Are People TooTripod Versus the Dragon - 2010
29The Gods Are People TooTripod Versus the Dragon - 2010 - featuring Andrew Pogson on the Blaxophone
29The Gods Are People TooTripod Versus the Dragon - 2010 - Rehearsal take, featuring Andrew Pogson on the Blaxophone
30Gonna Make You Happy TonightMiddleborough Road - 2004 - Different time signature and groove. Improv different game ending
31Good FriendsThis Gaming Life - 2015
32Goodbye Little Alarm ClockAbout an Hour of Song In An Hour - 2002 - A number of mistake due to Tripod not knowing the song very well
33Head of ZombieThis Gaming Life - 2015
34Hey Hoca 1650s
35The Hog Dog ManFegh Maha - 2004 - Album version
36Hot Girl in the Comic ShopLive at Woodford - 2008 - Differences: Live "Oooo Haaa"
37I Always Get Into StuffMiddleborough Road - 2004 - featuring Andrew Pogson on Blaxophone
38I Had to Pay My Debt to the DevilHow to Train an Attack Dog from Scratch - 2007
38I Had to Pay My Debt to the DevilHow to Train an Attack Dog from Scratch - 2007
39I Hate this PlaceMonster Beach - 2014
40I Hate Your FamilyOpen Slather - 2000 - Differences: Improv Easter theme lyrics, Yon finishes with "anything for love"
41I Will Be ThereOpen Slather - 2000 - Differences: No trumpet, Gatesy says wrong line
42I Will Still PlayTripod Versus the Dragon - 2010
42I Will Still PlayTripod Versus the Dragon - 2010Episode 49A - No Gatesy, featuring Andrew Pogson doing Blaxophone
43If I Had a TattooMiddleborough Road - 2004 - Differences: No repeat of song
44IKEAOpen Slather - 2000
45In the CountrysideMiddleborough Road - 2004
46Is it Okay if I Stalk You?Open Slather - 2000 - Differences: Laughing due to Yon noises
47Ivory TowerTripod Versus the Dragon - 2010 - Album version
47Ivory TowerTripod Versus the Dragon - 2010 - Megan Washington's first demo
47Ivory TowerTripod Versus the Dragon - 2010 No second verse, No Elana Stone
48Je Veux Te DireMiddleborough Road - 2004
49JeboticabalPerfectly Good Songs - 2007 - Differences: Yon accidentally says "Aracataca" once
50Jokes! Jokes! Jokes!Assassin's Creed Syndicate - 2015
51KemptFegh Maha - 2004 - Album version
52Key PartyHow to Train an Attack Dog from Scratch - 2007
52Key PartyHow to Train an Attack Dog from Scratch - 2007
53King KongSongs from Self Saucing - 2006 - Poggo talks to Yon during middle of the song, no other movies are talked about like in Self Saucing
54Krap KarateFegh Maha - 2004
55Let's Take a WalkMiddleborough Road - 2004 - featuring MSO strings and Andrew Pogson on Blaxophone
56Lingering DadMen of Substance - 2013
56Lingering DadMen of Substance - 2013 - Scod narrates over M.A.S.H. theme
57The Lonesome/Gregarious CowboyFegh Maha - 2004
58The Love of 3 MenThe Sideshow - 2007
59Love SongOpen Slather - 2000
60Main Theme from Tosswinkle the PirateTripod Tells the Tale of the Adventures of Tosswinkle the Pirate - 2001
61Melbourne GirlPod August Night - 2006
62The Messenger's DreamLive at Woodford - 2008
63MucusOpen Slather - 2000 - Different taking bits to Open Slather version. Reflect on what they use to do.
64No Daughter of MineSongs from Self Saucing - 2006
65Old MoneyMiddleborough Road - 2004
65Old MoneyMiddleborough Road - 2004 x2 - featuring MSO strings and Andrew Pogson on Blaxophone
66On Behalf of All the GeeksMiddleborough Road - 2004
67On PaperTripod Versus the Dragon - 2010
68One More Annoying CoupleMen of Substance - 2013
69The Only ShepherdPerfectly Good Songs - 2007
70OvertuneTripod Versus the Dragon - 2010 - featuring Andrew Pogson doing narration
71Playing OnlinePod August Night - 2006 - Differences: Doesn't have the adjective/acronyms mistake from Pod August Night
72Rock EisteddfodFegh Maha - 2004 - Scod goes into Chorus and stuffs Yon up plus other Scod base mistakes
73Santa FeMiddleborough Road - 2004
74Santa's PapersFor the Love of God! - 2008 - Differences: "to a processing center in Indonesia" instead of Nauru
75Science Facts are UsefulAbout an Hour of Song In An Hour - 2002
76Second Drawer DownOpen Slather - 2000 - A number of false starts as Yon decides if he likes what is being sung. Unrehearsed so a number of mistakes.
77Shut DownThis Gaming Life - 2015
78SkyrimThis Gaming Life - 2015
79SnapshotsMiddleborough Road - 2004
80Someday the LordFegh Maha - 2004 - Differences: "Stand next to Bruce Boxleitner" instead of "Tron",
80Someday the LordFegh Maha - 2004
81Squares on a ScreenThis Gaming Life - 2015
82This StuffingFor the Love of God! - 2008
83StuntmanMiddleborough Road - 2004
84Suicide BomberSongs from Self Saucing - 2006 - Scod stuffs up second chorus and starts over
85Taking the LifeTripod Versus the Dragon - 2010 - featuring Andrew Pogson on Blaxophone
86Tall ManSongs from Self Saucing - 2006
87That's Why I'm Sending YouMiddleborough Road - 2004
87That's Why I'm Sending YouMiddleborough Road - 2004 - Upgrade lyrics from predictive text to auto-correct with mistakes
88Theme from M*A*S*H GuySongs from Self Saucing - 2006 - Differences: No Yon cleaning his gun with his tongue gag at end
89This is My Last TransmissionLady Robots - 2002
90Three Seconds of HaloThis Gaming Life - 2015 - Demo version with synth orchestra
91ThursdayMen of Substance - 2013
92The TreesFegh Maha - 2004
93Triangle of HappinessMen of Substance - 2013 - Differences: Loud Casio beat during song, Solo is Scod doing Casio drum solo
94Trying to Impress the BargirlMiddleborough Road - 2004
95Ugly MenFegh Maha - 2004
96UndergroundAssassin's Creed Syndicate - 2015 - Album version
96UndergroundAssassin's Creed Syndicate - 2015 - Demo version Austin Wintory instrumental
97Visor KingPerfectly Good Songs - 2007
98Waiting for the Game to LoadMen of Substance - 2013
99The WheelLive at Woodford - 2008 - Differences: What have we learn rant about link clicking
100With All Of My RichesMen of Substance - 2013 - Differences: Poggo talks over the ending and outro's the episode
101Would You Mind1998

Suggested in , and making its first appearance in with Andrew Pogson's submission Tripod asked listeners to submit alternate lyrics for the song Aquaman, and Tripod then played each submission on varies episodes.
SongSubmitted byEpisode Song Appearances
Poggin HoodAndrew Pogson
MaryanneTapenwa Mozongo - Unrehearsed, so some mistakes, no second verse
Traitor JimBarantis - Unrehearsed and some lyrics are cut off so some mistakes
The Tally HoesMarus - featuring Andrew Pogson, Yon and Poggo talk game talk during acoustic guitar solo
Baby GirlOmre
Social NormJeremy Huges - featuring Andrew Pogson doing vocal guitar solo
Here I AmJennifer Whitehouse
Lingering DadNick Chero - Solo done by trumpet
AquamannUnknown author but suggested it was Casey Bennetto - Poggo talks over solo
My Best FriendTim Alan - featuring Andrew Pogson doing Blaxophone solo instead of normal guitar solo
Aquaman The TributeSergeant Bandit from The Tally Hoes - featuring Andrew Pogson doing Blaxophone solo instead of normal guitar solo

Recordings

Tripods very first record Box Set was funded by their winnings from live TV "talent" segment Red Faces.
Their album Middleborough Rd, made up of studio recordings of songs they wrote for the sketch TV series SkitHouse, won an ARIA in 2005.
Tripod toured with the show Tripod are Self Saucing in 2004, and again at the 2006 MICF. They recorded a live album of the show in April 2006 entitled Songs from Self Saucing, recorded and mixed by regular collaborator Nao Anzai, which was nominated for Best Comedy Release at the 2007 ARIA awards.
Tripod's first DVD was also released in 2006: a live recording of their 2005 show "POD August Nights". The DVD includes numerous special features including a music video for their song "Gonna Make You Happy Tonight" from their 2004 album, Middleborough Rd. Tripod's 2001 show, "Tripod tells the tale of the Adventures of Tosswinkle the Pirate " was also released on DVD in 2006, following the original 2001 VHS release.
Tripod released a Christmas album in 2010, an album of original material from their much loved Xmas shows, entitled For the Love of God, and toured nationally with the songs, performing in the Sydney Opera House that year.
In 2009, Tripod released a DVD of a live performance at the Woodford Folk Festival. This DVD featured never-before-seen bonus footage consisting of a bootleg recording of their 2007 show How to Train an Attack Dog from Scratch, a show whose narrative was loosely based around an examination of the fictional history of musical comedy.
They released a CD of songs from Tripod versus the Dragon, including extended versions of the songs from an early version of the show, as well as a DVD with numerous easter eggs and special features on 2 March 2011.
Men of Substance, their first full scale studio project since For the Love of God, was produced by longtime friend and collaborator John Castle

Composition

Tripod composed the theme song for SBS One's Australian television comedy history show ADbc in 2009.

Discography