Clowns of Decadence

Clowns of Decadence were an Australian rock, punk band from Adelaide, South Australia, which formed in 1988 and deployed elements of circus music and performance. The group released three extended plays and an album, Clowns of a Lesser God (1994) on Homegrown Artists / Siren Records before disbanding in 1998.

Clowns of Decadence
OriginAdelaide, South Australia, Australia
Genresrock, punk, circus
Years active1988 (1988)–1998 (1998)
LabelsHomegrown, Siren
Associated actsFestered Vestoons, Toxic Avengers, The Bunta Boys, Jonny Don't Play
Past membersMark Fenech
Stephen Hards
Matt Jonsson
Colin Morris
Craig Spencer
Craig Stone

Biography

Clowns of Decadence formed in 1988 in Adelaide as a rock, punk band deploying elements of circus music and performance. They included three members of Festered Vestoons and one from Toxic Avengers, by June 1990 they were named as Clowns of Decadence and had "adopted a performance image of wearing clown makeup and silly clothes to back up their politico-protest leanings".[1] They toured interstate with gigs in Sydney and Melbourne.[1][2][3]

In 1993 the group issued a four-track extended play on Homegrown Artists, Kamikaze Karnival.[4] The disc was produced by Tony Nesci and recorded at his studios.[4] One of the tracks, "Alien Sex Romp", was co-written by Mark Fenech, Stephen Hards (JJ Hi-jinx/Hardsy), Matt Jonsson (Trolla Bolla Snatcha Razoo), Colin Morris, Craig Spencer (Cappo Skum-fakir/Spako Airhead) and Craig Stone.[5] By 1994 they released a second EP, Dirty Tricks Incorporated, on Siren Records, with five tracks including "Snake Like a Tongue".[6] The latter track appeared on a various artists' compilation album, Lot's: The CD (1994), which was included with Lot's Wife, a student newspaper at Monash University.[2][7]

In 1995 they released Too Ugly for Airplay, a four-track EP including "New Age Neurotic".[8] It was produced by Mick Wordley, Evan James and the Clowns of Decadence; and recorded at Mixmasters Studios.[8] Clowns of a Lesser God followed in 1996, it was a full-length studio album.[9]

By 1998 the group had disbanded, Hards and Spencer joined alternate rock group, Jonny Don't Play. In June 2012, Fenech, Jonsson and Stone registered the name "Clowns of Decadence" as a music entertainment service.[10]

Members
As credited on the 1994 album, Dirty Tricks Incorporated[11]
  • Stephen Hards aka JJ Hi-Jinx aka Hardsy – saxophone, clarinet, fire blowhard
  • Matt Jonsson aka Trolla Bolla Snatcha Razoo – drums, art, mad ravings & bizarre facial contortions
  • Craig Spencer aka Cappo Skum-fakir aka Spako Airhead – bass guitar, guitar, vocals, clown co-ordination
  • Ocker Bozo (vocals, trumpet, excess)
  • Lord Stingy (guitars, pyromania, penny pinching)
  • Reverend Spud McGeek (piano, synth, vocals, Guinness)
  • Marshall Benzene – bass guitar, fire cadet, stilt walker (1993 –1998)

Discography

Albums
  • Clowns of a Lesser God (1996)

Extended plays
  • Kamikaze Karnival (1993)
  • Dirty Tricks Incorporated (1994)
  • Too Ugly for Airplay (1995)

Other appearances
  • "Big Green Couch of Hope" (on compilation album [Grind Em Down - 1992)
  • "If Pain Could Turn to Gold" (on compilation album Let's Make Cents)
  • "New Age Neurotic" (on compilation album Triple M Presents on the Edge of the World - 1995)

References
  1. Lonergan, Simon (July 1990). "News – Adelaide". BSide Magazine (25). Waterfront Records (Chris Dunn). p. 4. Retrieved 25 November 2012.
  2. Forrest, Llawella; Cody, Dave; Paton, Leanne (1994). "Lot's: The CD Companion". Lot's: The CD (Media notes). Various Artists. Monash University. p. 13. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 24 November 2012.
  3. "Live Review – Clowns of Decadence". DNA (78). June 1990.
  4. Clowns of Decadence (Musical group) (1993), Kamikaze Karnival, Eastwood, SA: Homegrown Artists, retrieved 21 November 2012
  5. "'Alien Sex Romp' at APRA search engine". Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA). Retrieved 25 November 2012.
  6. Clowns of Decadence (Musical group) (1994), Dirty Tricks Incorporated, Siren Records, retrieved 21 November 2012
  7. Cody, Dave; Paton, Leanne (1994), Lot's the CD, Monash University SRC, retrieved 25 November 2012, CD edition of Lot's Wife, the Monash University (Clayton) student newspaper featuring Monash bands, comedy sketches and the university's education policy by Prof. Ian Chubb.
  8. Clowns of Decadence (Musical group) (1995), Too Ugly for Airplay, Siren Entertainments, retrieved 21 November 2012
  9. Clowns of Decadence (Musical group) (1996), Clowns of a lesser god, Siren Entertainment, retrieved 21 November 2012
  10. "Clowns of Decadence by Mark Fenech". Trademarkify, Australia's Online Trademark Filing. Retrieved 25 November 2012.
  11. Dirty Tricks (Media notes). Clowns of Decadence. Siren Records. 1994. SIREN 041.CS1 maint: others (link)
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