Tripod, this Australian comedy trio that consists of Scott Edgar (Scod) - vocals and guitarist, Steven Gates (Gatesy) - vocals and guitarist and Simon Hall (Yon) - vocals and miscellaneous instruments such as trumpet, flute and harmonica.

Multi ARIA award nominees, Tripod won the 2005 Aria award ‘Best Comedy Release’ for their album Middleborough Road.  This album is now being plugged on Qantas Inflight.  “They are on top of it!” laughs Yon.

This Australian comedy trio consists of Scott Edgar (Scod) - vocals and guitarist, Steven Gates (Gatesy) - vocals and guitarist and Simon Hall (Yon) - vocals and miscellaneous instruments such as trumpet, flute and harmonica.

Multi ARIA award nominees, Tripod won the 2005 Aria award ‘Best Comedy Release’ for their album Middleborough Road.  This album is now being plugged on Qantas Inflight.  “They are on top of it!” laughs Yon. 

The trio first performed live at a comedy festival in 1997.  This was the year Gatesy joined Scod and Yon to form Tripod.    Gatesy explains that before he started with the pair the act existed in many different forms.   “It was a beast with four or five heads before 1997.  It had many, many, many different looks and inclinations.”

“We really didn’t decide on it [the evolution of the band], it slowly happened,” adds Yon.  “We started out just singing songs that we liked, doing harmonies.  People were laughing at various moments [so] we just went further with that.”   

Scod claims to be the songwriter of the group, who graciously gives the others one third each of the songs credits.    “I’m the song writer, I am the sole entire song writer, it’s all me!  I’m generous giving 33.3% of my royalties to the other two.  I’m kind enough to do that.”

Gatesy, directing his comment to Scod, “In fact I would like this opportunity to thank you.”  Yon wholeheartedly agrees, “Yes, I thank you too.”  Scod replies, “No worries, any time!”

Gatesy continues, “It’s interesting, because when we try to take it [the songs] into a different direction you seem to talk us back to the way it was originally”.  Scod attributes this to “Having a vision.  You know it’s a curse as much as a blessing!”

In all fairness, Scod (aka Scott Edgar) has released a solo debut album, Scott Edgar and The Universe, a sideways venture from his musical comedy writing with Tripod. This project is receiving positive reviews and represents the closest thing to his ‘serious side’.  For further details, visit www.scottedgarandtheuniverse.com.

The trio reveal that the hardest thing about breaking into the Australian comedy scene was having a label and deciding how to get their message across to the audience.  They feel the best way is to show them.  When the trio are asked what exactly they want to be known as, their response is simple, “Excellent, outstanding, inspiring!”

So who is the lead singer of this group?  The group agree that it is Yon, who seems to be adjusting to this important role.  

“Actually, [to] be honest, we just did a spot, a set, where three songs we were basically just accompanying Yon singing,” clarifies Gatesy. “We just want to push him forward.  He doesn’t stand out enough in the group.  So we are just trying to give him a few more biscuits.”

Scod adds, “We can’t be bothered with learning lyrics, its like ‘Yon, you can sing this for me’”.

Gatesy & Scod