Laughing Clowns

Laughing Clowns
Company type	Band
Industry	Music
Founded	1979 in Sydney, Australia
Founder	Ed Kuepper, Bob Farrell, Ben Wallace-Crabbe, Jeffrey Wegener
Headquarters	Sydney, Australia
Products	Music albums, EPs, singles

Laughing Clowns, occasionally known as The Laughing Clowns, emerged as a post-punk ensemble originating from Sydney in 1979. Throughout a span of five years, they produced three full-length albums, three extended plays, along with numerous singles and compilation appearances. Their musical style fused elements from free jazz, bluegrass, and krautrock. The band was established to evolve Ed Kuepper's brass-infused approach first showcased on The Saints' third record, Prehistoric Sounds, integrating flattened fifth intervals within a contemporary jazz framework.

During the early 1980s, Laughing Clowns spent considerable time touring Europe alongside contemporaries such as The Birthday Party, The Go-Betweens, The Moodists, and The Triffids, garnering a dedicated international following. These artists have acknowledged Laughing Clowns as a source of inspiration.

Formation and Initial Phase: 1979–1981

In April 1979, Laughing Clowns took shape in Sydney as a collective blending rock, soul, and avant-garde jazz influences, featuring Bob Farrell on saxophone, Ed Kuepper handling lead guitar and vocals, Ben Wallace-Crabbe on bass, and Jeffrey Wegener on drums. Kuepper had departed from the punk outfit The Saints while in London in late 1978 due to creative disagreements with frontman Chris Bailey, seeking to pursue more intellectually driven material as demonstrated on Prehistoric Sounds (October 1978).

After returning to Australia that year and contemplating stepping away from music, Kuepper reconnected with Farrell and Wegener, who motivated him to launch a new project. Both musicians had previous associations with The Saints: Wegener was an early member and Farrell contributed backing vocals to their debut album (I'm) Stranded (February 1977). Bassist Ben Wallace-Crabbe had collaborated with Wegener in Melbourne's band The Love. A planned Saints single titled "Laughing Clowns" / "On the Waterfront" was never completed due to internal conflicts; these compositions were later recorded separately by Laughing Clowns and The Saints.

Their first public appearance occurred in August 1979, initially puzzling audiences anticipating punk’s raw energy. Music historian Ian McFarlane characterized their style as defying easy classification—encompassing rock, soul, and avant-jazz with atmospheric and varied arrangements. Early performances featured material from Prehistoric Sounds. Later that year, Dan Wallace-Crabbe joined the lineup on piano.

This quintet recorded the self-titled six-track EP Laughing Clowns at Richmond Recorders in Melbourne, produced by Kuepper alongside engineer Tony Cohen. Released in May 1980 through Missing Link Records, the EP garnered acclaim for its distinctive progression beyond Prehistoric Sounds, exploring expansive arrangements and spacious production techniques.

A promotional clip was produced for the track "Holy Joe". Following the EP’s release, trumpet player Peter Doyle became part of the live ensemble, participating in significant shows such as a November 1980 Sydney concert shared with The Birthday Party and The Go-Betweens. By the end of that year, both Farrell and then Ben Wallace-Crabbe departed; Ben later established Upside Down House before his passing.

Their sophomore release arrived in February 1981 with the three-song EP Sometimes, the Fire Dance...., issued on Prince Melon—a label managed by Ken West and Kuepper. Recorded mid-1980 with a six-member lineup and co-produced by the band members themselves, this EP received praise for its complex yet emotionally impactful compositions.

In March 1981 they followed up with the five-track EP Laughing Clowns 3, succeeded by a July compilation combining both Prince Melon EPs under the title Throne of Blood/Reign of Terror. During this period, Doyle, Kuepper, and Wegener delved into freer musical structures inspired by free jazz traditions. By mid-1981, they expanded further by adding Louise Elliott on saxophone and flute along with Leslie 'Bif' Millar handling fretless and upright basses, enhancing their emphasis on jazz improvisation.

Mr Uddich-Schmuddich Goes to Town 1982

In March 1982, Laughing Clowns unveiled their first album, Mr Uddich-Schmuddich Goes to Town, which had been recorded in November 1981. Production was handled by Doyle, Kuepper, and Wegener, with engineering by Doyle alongside Peter Walker, formerly of Bakery. This release signaled a stylistic evolution with Millar’s jazz-inspired bass techniques and predominantly featured Kuepper’s prearranged compositions, except for the album’s title piece.

Jim Green from TrouserPress observed that the album reflected a lineup change involving the addition of a saxophonist and an acoustic bassist while the pianist was omitted, resulting in shorter tracks and a tighter overall sound. Alex Griffin of Life is Noise included it in his list of Top Australian Albums, highlighting its intense, paranoid energy driven by Jeffrey Wagoner’s distinctive drumming. Soon after the album's release, the group—minus Doyle—briefly moved to Europe and recorded a session for John Peel, which was later issued as the EP Everything That Flies Is not a Bird in 1983. By the end of 1982, internal conflicts caused a temporary breakup, with Wegener joining The Birthday Party for a Netherlands tour early the following year.

Law of Nature: 1983–1984

In May 1983, Kuepper reassembled Laughing Clowns with Elliott and Wegener but without Millar. They recruited Peter Milton Walsh (formerly of The Apartments) as bassist, despite his limited experience on the instrument. The band’s second album, Law of Nature, was recorded in Sydney late that year and released in April 1984 on the new Hot label. Pianist Chris Abrahams contributed to the record. In March, they issued a 12" single titled "Eternally Yours," accompanied by promotional videos and giveaways during their nationwide tour. This lineup remained consistent with Kuepper, Wegener, Elliott, and Walsh.

The album incorporated both acoustic and electric guitars with a stronger emphasis on structured songs. Reviewer Debbie Muir commended its inventive yet straightforward approach and singled out "Eternally Yours" as a highlight. McFarlane regarded Law of Nature along with its lead single as among the band’s finest achievements, noting especially Elliott’s expressive saxophone performances on tracks such as "Law of Nature," "Written in Exile," and "Eternally Yours". After touring nationally and across Europe to support the album, Walsh left to revive The Apartments and was succeeded by Paul Smith on bass.

Ghosts of an Ideal Wife and break-up: 1984–1985

The band expanded their lineup by adding Glad Reed on trumpet, Dianne Spence on saxophone, and Louis Tillett on piano. Recording for Ghosts of an Ideal Wife commenced at Alberts Studios in October 1984. However, by Christmas that year, the group disbanded following international and domestic tours. Kuepper finalized the album in early 1985. Subsequently, a double A-side single featuring "Just Because I Like" / "Crystal Clear" was released posthumously in February 1985 through Hot Records. After the breakup, Elliott and Wegener briefly joined The Saints for an Australian tour before Kuepper proceeded to work on his solo debut Electrical Storm, released in June 1985.

Clinton Walker chronicled the band's journey in his 1996 book Stranded: The Secret History of Australian Independent Music 1977–1991, serving as both advocate and confidant. In September 2005, Tim Ritchie from Radio National reviewed their comprehensive 3× CD collection Cruel but Fair (The Complete Clowns Recordings), praising their distinctiveness as so unique that audiences would either leave en masse or witness something exceptional. Issued on 3 October 2005, this anthology received further recognition; Donat Tahiraj of Time Off described Laughing Clowns as "the most inventive and innovative Australian band of the post-punk era."

Subsequent Activities and Revival

In 2004, Kuepper and Wegener teamed up for Ed Kuepper's MFLL, a live soundtrack endeavor that toured across Australia and Europe, featuring a performance at the Cartier Foundation. Wegener became part of Kuepper's touring ensemble, The Kowalski Collective, contributing to the concept album Jean Lee and the Yellow Dog released in September 2007. A lineup resembling Laughing Clowns reassembled for live shows. By 2008, Kuepper reinstated the Prince Melon label and issued a live recording in March 2009 titled Prince Melon Bootleg Series Volume 7: Laughing Clowns Live, captured at Brisbane's Gallery of Modern Art with Elliott, Kuepper, Millar, Wegener, and keyboardist Alister Spence.

This formation also appeared at the All Tomorrow's Parties event in May 2009, curated by Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, followed by a tour through Australia's eastern states. In January 2010, the band toured again as part of All Tomorrow's Parties' Don't Look Back series, supporting Dirty Three and performing their 1984 compilation History of Rock 'n' Roll Volume One in its entirety. During 2010, Prince Melon released two more live albums.

Members

Bob Farrell – saxophone (1979–81)
Ed Kuepper – lead vocals, lead guitar, banjo (1979–82, 1983–84, 2009–2010)
Ben Wallace-Crabbe – bass guitar (1979–81)
Jeffrey Wegener – drums, percussion (1979–82, 1983–84, 2009–2010)
Dan Wallace-Crabbe – piano (1980–81)
Peter Doyle – trumpet (1981–83)
Louise Elliot – saxophone, flute (1981–82, 1983–84, 2009–2010)
Leslie Millar – bass guitar (1981–83)
John Weinzieri – bass guitar (1982)
Chris Abrahams – piano (1983)
Peter Milton Walsh – bass guitar (1983)
Paul Smith – bass guitar (1983–84)
Louis Tillett – piano (1984)

Studio Albums

Mr Uddich-Schmuddich Goes to Town LP (Prince Melon), March 1982
Law of Nature LP/CD (Hot), April 1984 — #1 Australian Indie
Ghosts of an Ideal Wife LP/CD (Hot), August 1985

Compilation Albums

Throne of Blood/Reign of Terror also known as Greatest Hits 1980 LP (Prince Melon), July 1981
Laughter Around The Table LP (Red Flame), 1983
History of Rock 'n' Roll Vol. 1 LP/CD (Hot), November 1984
Golden Days – When Giants Walked the Earth CD (Hot), August 1995
Cruel but Fair (The Complete Clowns Recordings) triple CD (Hot), October 2005

Live Albums

Prince Melon Bootleg Series Volume 7: Laughing Clowns Live CD (Prince Melon), March 2009
Prince Melon Bootleg Series Volume 8: Laughing Clowns Live at the Basement CD (Prince Melon), January 2010
Prince Melon Bootleg Series Volume 16: don't ask stupid questions to an artist, cop (Laughing Clowns Live 1982) CD (Prince Melon), 2010

Extended Plays

Laughing Clowns MLP (Missing Link) May 1980
Sometimes, the Fire Dance.... 7" (Prince Melon) January 1981
Laughing Clowns 3 MLP (Prince Melon) March 1981
Everything That Flies... 12" EP (Prince Melon) July 1983

Singles

"Theme from Mad Flies, Mad Flies" 7" (Prince Melon) March 1982
"Eternally Yours" 12" (Hot) March 1984 — reached #2 on Australian Indie charts and #40 on UK Indie charts
"Just Because I Like" / "Crystal Clear" 7" (Hot) February 1985

External links

Official Facebook page:
Discogs artist profile:
"Laughing Clowns annotated discography" hosted by Dilettante Productions (Magnus Boman)