Clowns of Decadence
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1988 |
| Defunct | 1998 |
| Headquarters | Adelaide , Australia |
| Products | Music albums and EPs |
Clowns of Decadence was a rock and punk ensemble originating from Adelaide, South Australia, established in 1988. Their performances uniquely blended elements of circus music and theatrical presentation. Throughout their career, they issued three EPs and one full-length album, Clowns of a Lesser God (1994), through Homegrown Artists / Siren Records before dissolving in 1998.
Biography
Established in 1988, Clowns of Decadence featured musicians previously involved with Festered Vestoons and Toxic Avengers. By mid-1990, the group had developed a signature aesthetic characterized by clown makeup and costumes, enhancing their politically motivated live shows. Their touring schedule included prominent Australian cities such as Sydney and Melbourne.
In 1993, the band released the four-song EP Kamikaze Karnival on Homegrown Artists, with production by Tony Nesci. The track "Alien Sex Romp" was a collaborative composition by key members Mark Fenech, Stephen Hards, Matt Jonsson, Colin Morris, Craig Spencer, and Craig Stone. The following year saw the release of their five-track EP Dirty Tricks Incorporated through Siren Records; it featured "Snake Like a Tongue," which was included on the compilation Lot's: The CD, distributed alongside Monash University's student newspaper.
Their 1995 EP Too Ugly for Airplay contained "New Age Neurotic" and was produced by Mick Wordley, Evan James, and the band at Mixmasters Studios. Subsequently, in 1996, they launched their debut album Clowns of a Lesser God via Siren Entertainment.
Following their breakup in 1998, members Hards and Spencer became part of the alternative rock outfit Jonny Don't Play. In June 2012, Fenech, Jonsson, and Stone officially registered "Clowns of Decadence" as a music entertainment service.
In 2025, lead singer and frontman Mark Fenech (known as Ocker Bozo) succumbed to bone cancer after a prolonged illness lasting fourteen months.
Members
- As listed on the 1994 release Dirty Tricks Incorporated
- Stephen Hards (JJ Hi-Jinx / Hardsy) – saxophone, clarinet, fire blowing
- Matt Jonsson (Trolla Bolla Snatcha Razoo) – drums, visual art, eccentric behavior & unusual facial expressions
- Craig Spencer (Cappo Skum-fakir / Spako Airhead) – bass guitar, guitar, vocals, clown coordination
- Mark Fenech (Ocker Bozo) – vocals, trumpet, extravagance
- Craig Stone (Lord Stingy) – guitars, pyromania enthusiast, frugality
- Colin Morris (Reverend Spud McGeek) – piano, synthesizer, vocals, Guinness aficionado
- Ben James (Marshall Benzene) – bass guitar, fire assistant, stilt walker (1993–1998)
- Chris Lambert (Doc Boom) – bass guitar (from 1998 onward)
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 Grind Em Down (1992)
- "If Pain Could Turn to Gold" featured on compilation Let's Make Cents
- "New Age Neurotic" included on compilation Triple M Presents on the Edge of the World (1995)
External links
- Interview with Craig Spencer (aka Cappo Skum-fakir/Spako Airhead) conducted by Justin Hamilton, dated 21 February 2012.