DAAS: Their Part in My Downfall: On the Road with the Doug Anthony All Stars

by Paul Livingston

‘There is …a ruthless tenderness about the Doug Anthony All Stars that makes them more scathingly funny than ever.’ Libbi Gorr..Paul observes, ‘You are looking at us, ladies and gentlemen, and thinking, Oh my god, Tripod have been in a terrible accident. ’..Under the guise of his alter ego Flacco, Paul Livingston once basked in the reflected glory of Tim Ferguson, Paul McDermott and Richard Fidler, and their anarchic comedy incarnation, the Doug Anthony All-Stars. At their peak D.A.A.S. teetered on international greatness, and Paul teetered with them, until that teeter was abruptly toppled in 1994…Flacco and Paul now find themselves wrenched out of comfortable but obscure retirement to tread the boards again with Tim Ferguson and Paul McDermott - but this time as part of D.A.A.S., playing to sell-out crowds across Australia…As a fly on the pungent walls of D.A.A.S. dressing-rooms over the decades, Paul Livingston has lived and played alongside these men, probing their depths and shallows. In D.A.A.S.: Their Part in My Downfall he reveals all - their rise, disappearance and rebirth - and interviews their fans, colleagues and famous peers and admirers…In 2016 the bad old men of Australian comedy dared to venture back to where it all began thirty years ago - the Edinburgh Festival. ..Can they recapture the magic? Will anyone remember them?

Genres: Humor, Nonfiction, Memoir, Biography

304 pages, Paperback

Published December 1, 2016

Reviews

[Jacm · Rating 4 out of 5]

A witty and entertaining insight into the Australian comedy scene. For someone who describes themselves as a selective mute, Paul Livingston (aka Flacco) is a superb communicator. Using his own observations along with those of his peers to describe the meteoric rise - sudden implosion - and rebirth of one Australia's influential & successful comedy groups.

[LibraryKath · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a surprisingly beautiful book. I have been a fan of the Doug Anthony Allstars since I was in my teens and they were fresh faced young men purveying filth and beautiful harmonies. And have always loved Flacco too, so there was no doubt that I would be reading this one ASAP.

Paul Livingston tells the story of their meteoric rise to fame (and his, riding along on their comet tail) and their influence on comedy in this well written book. But it is also a record of great affection for DAAS - from their fans, from those in their industry who learned so much from them, from Paul himself, but most poignantly, for each other.

Reading this has made me all the more determined to see them live at least one more time.

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A well written tumble down memory lane. So great to reconnect with the All-Stars & the fantastic Australian comedy talents that orbit the hilarious mess :)

[Cassie Willcox · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this, as a D.A.A.S fan from years back, it was really interesting to get another perspective on their lives and personalities both on and away from the stage. It charts their seedy early days, through the height of their fame, and the eventual reincarnation of the group. I found myself laughing out loud many times in the work lunch room as I read it, Paul Livingston has such a sharp and humorous way of describing things that they all said and did... it was a joy to read. I will probably read it again within the next 12 months at the next time I get the urge to drag out the old VHS concert tapes for a re-watch, once or twice a year is the usual timing for this!
Thanks for the insight Paul, on both the other fellas and also for yourself. It is wonderful to get a glimpse of the man behind Flacco!

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've been a huge fan of the Doug Anthony All Stars since they first hit my TV screen in the late 80s, so it was a no brainer that I had to read Paul 'Flacco' Livingstone's book about himself and DAAS. Thankfully it lived up to almost all my expectations thanks to the author's approach to the subject and his prose. 'DAAS: Their Part in My Downfall' is not a straightforward (auto)biography where everything is chronicled into who did what where, when and why. Instead it is not entirely dissimilar to a series of portraits, sometimes taken out of their time or place, shuffled around and given a thematic cohesion so that the reader gets a feel for its subjects instead of a recounting of facts.

One aspect of the book that is most impressive is how Livingstone creates an amalgam of differing (auto)biographical strands. On one level it is certainly his own story, and there is plenty to enjoy from his discussion of his personal experiences. In fact, I would argue the strongest part of the book is when he recounts his melee with Leukaemia; that chapter is a stand out worthy of high praise. He writes of this time in his life with high comedy and great empathy, and I would suggest it sits apart as a passage in this book due to its high quality.

Then there is his recounting of his long term engagement with the DAAS team, both in the original configuration of Tim Ferguson, Richard Fidler and Paul McDermott, and the latter version without Fidler but with Livingstone subbing. It's a great yarn and one that brings forth evocative memories and interesting contemporary commentary. Livingstone writes of DAAS with a wonderful mix of pungent and metaphorical prose; one can almost smell and taste the atmosphere that he describes of early DAAS gigs.

That this book also serves as a wider history of a highly fertile period in Australian comedy is also worth commendation. Livingstone's Flacco was a unique character within that rich milieu, and on reflection it was a gilded age for comedy. That the author draws on his own comic heroes (and mine as well) such as Spike Milligan, Graham Bond, Rory O'Donoghue and the Pythons gives one an insight into his inspirations. Then, he places his own work within the wider context of a vibrant and productive Oz comedy scene. By the way, I was particularly taken with Livingstone's comments on how he and DAAS used faux intellectualism to make their style of comedic sound more intriguing.

Perhaps my only criticism, and this is a mild one and perhaps unfair, is that the reader doesn't get much insight into the Doug's early career, pre 'Big Gig'. However I would like to think that this will get a more detailed airing when Tim, Richard or Paul produce their own autobiography.

In summary, this is a must read for anyone who enjoyed the work of the golden generation of Australian comedians who prospered in the late 1980s and early 1990s. It also highly recommended as an account of how one seriously creative talent combined with others to produce work that has taken them all into this millenium, and hopefully further yet again.

[Tash · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book proved to be more than it appeared and I'm so incredibly grateful for that. I've been a fan of DAAS since I was too young to understand approximately 60% of what they said (and shouldn't have been listening to the other 40%) but in loving them, I also fell in love with many performers around them. It was a real trip down memory lane to hear from familiar faces that were on the scene during those formative years. If you were into the Big Gig, DAAS Kapital and Good News Week, you'll appreciate these cameos as much as the DAAS-centric anecdotes and personal touches from Flacco himself. I couldn't put this down.

[Ben Baker · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fragmented but interesting look into one of Australia's most exciting comedy acts who were regular faces on TV when I was a pre-teen. Definitely made me want to go and find all the old TV appearances and songs so interest suitably re-engaged!

[Jaclyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Paul you f*#king legend. I smiled from first page to last. Loved the style as much as the content. Heart warming but not overly sentimental, informative but not a boring list of dates. Loved it :)

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable trip down memory lane, and a reminder of mortality.

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

While at times the author writes with a rather weird lyrical manner, this is a great book, with fantastic insights into DAAS back in their most notorious and wild days.
I never really got Flacco's sense of humour, and I feel that probably would have made it easier to understand if I did. (He continually complains about his woes, and his age and to be honest, it does get rather annoying after a while)
Best way to describe this book, is one man describing how DAAS was in the past, how DAAS has influenced and been a part of his past and present working life while giving a occasional insight into the author's actual life.

[John James · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book. It is so well written, and a wonderful portrait of the DAAS and the Aussie comedy scene. Plus, having met Paul on a few occasions, it was lovely to learn more about Paul the private person. I knew some of his story, but not the whole story. This is a portrait of friendships and also a story about art and comedy and creation a failure and success. Great work Paul! :)

[Martin Faulkner · Rating 5 out of 5]

I came for the D.A.A.S., I stayed for Livingston's wordsmithery. Just bloody lovely.

[Mr Aardvark · Rating 5 out of 5]

This covers so much of many of Australia's comedians from late 70's to now. Because Doug Anthony All Stars made an impact on them all.

[Peter Stuart · Rating 4 out of 5]

I went to see DAAS and the guitarist at the yarraville club in 2015. Having read this book and now understanding their part in flacco/Paul L's demise, I wish I had known what I know now...... as I am not sure I would have reacted in the same way I did for two hrs.

An excellent book, written with an insight into both the inner mind and soul of the author and into the inner functioning of one of the best comedy acts to ever grace this planet. The regaling of both personal experiences and the use of direct inputs from those who were also there lead to the construction of a narrative to be embraced and savored.

If you were a fan of Flacco/Paul/ DAAS you could do much worse than purchase a copy of this book at once helping a poor pensioner and gain insight into DAAS from an artist they have tortured, used and abused for +3O years.

[Tanya · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's not often a book has me laughing out loud.
This one did.
Not for the comedy lines DAAS use on stage, but the turn of phrase Livo uses in his depictions of live behind the stage. The stage where I have seen DAAS in both incarnations. Some performances being mentioned specifically within this mighty tome.
May the DAAS army roll on for years to come.
If you want the truth of DAAS, there is nowhere to look. This may be as close as you come.
Tick. Fucking. Tock.

[Michelle Ham]

Book 20. A rollicking read from 'Selective Mutant' and spear-carrier for the legendary comedy act, The Doug Anthony All-Stars.

Livingston is self-deprecating and articulate, with a love for word play and deconstructed cliches that made me quite envious. I love that he was roped into touring with #DAAS in their latest incarnation as not-so-young rebel rousers. Livingston wanted to stay in and drink tea and go to bed by 9pm like a self-respecting pensioner, but the others would have none of it!

I loved reading about Tim's never-ending optimism and energy, in contrast to Livingston's disdain at having no permission to whinge about his ailments. You can't really whine about having the flu while one of your compadres rolls around smiling and befriending everyone while living with MS!

I loved DAAS back in the 90s but they're better than ever now. I would've loved to read more about the recent tour, but maybe Tim will write a book about that!