Published in Beat, Issue 1060, 18 April 2007

Ever wondered what would happen if Tripod died in a horrible accident? Here’s what would happen: the guys from ElbowSkin would sneakily take their place on the throne as Australia’s kings of musical comedy. I can see it now – everyone at home watching the Gala on TV; Pa says to Ma, ‘Ma, weren’t there three guys in Tripod?’ and Ma says, ‘Well, there’s Dave, and there’s Ern, and… you know, I think that other guy was just a special guest or something.’ They would have to lose the bad language (‘Tripod in massive swearing scandal!’) but apart from that, it would be seamless. It’s the perfect plan.

I mean, hypothesis. I don’t want Tripod dead, and I doubt very much that the ElbowSkin boys would stoop to anything that dastardly. They’re much too affable. All I’m trying to say is that ElbowSkin is a high quality musical comedy act. This is their fifth year at the Festival and boy howdy, that must been some good practice because I nearly fell out of my chair laughing at Dave and Ern’s catchy tunes and class clown antics. Their show, Sparring Partners, celebrates ten years of friendship that began at Eltham High. Now they live together, work together at the same restaurant, and perform comedy together on the side. Their world of practical jokes and lost bets provides plenty of material as do vegan ex-girlfriends and transvestite parents. The humour is simple and cheeky – nudie runs, chickens crossing the road, and bacon and eggs as a metaphor for life. But they also take on the disgusting and the taboo with glee. They have potty mouths and twisted minds but they get away with it because they’re obviously quite nice, really – Dave even has dimples. But if anything should happen to Tripod – just keep them on your radar.