Like all the great creative ensembles, such as 'Monty Python' and The Beach Boys, the guys from 'The Chaser' have used the platform granted by success to explore a diffuse array of side projects, ranging from environmental activism and US political commentary to kids books and stage plays.
In 'Solo Show', the self-proclaimed “good one” from 'The Chaser', Andrew Hansen has relented to pressure and will finally give the people what they’ve been demanding: skits, songs, nostalgia and a healthy serving of controversy for the internet outrage generation that thrives on the stuff.'The Chaser'’s chief tunesmith, the guy behind the piano, Andrew Hansen has never cashed in on his extensive back catalogue of stinging political satire; no greatest hits albums, no 'Chaser' CDs at all. For fans wanting to reminisce about Andrew’s biting compositions, the only option has been YouTube, or, as he explains, pestering him on the street.
“People get all nostalgic about all the old 'Chaser' songs and sketches and go 'when are you going to do an album or show; you should take it on tour'. But then I finally just thought I should give the people what they actually want and just do a tour of a bunch of new songs and sketches, but also throw in some golden oldies, for nostalgia’s sake.”
One of the songs that 'Chaser' fans are longing to hear is ‘The Eulogy Song’, the examination of the post-mortem purification that occurs when famous men, such as John Lennon and Peter Brock, die. While the song attracted the scorn of two former Australian Prime Ministers, Andrew thinks he got off comparatively lightly.
“We were lucky that the first outing of 'The Eulogy Song' was 2007 so it was a bit before the era of internet outrage.
“One of the things that’s nice about 'The Eulogy Song' is that it's about things you’re not really allowed to say, but if you say it in a song, it kind of makes it easier to get away with. . . Not that I entirely got away with it.”
The song, which featured in the stage work 'Dead Caesar' that Andrew wrote with 'Chaser' collaborator Chris Taylor, was called “distasteful” by John Howard and “absolutely disgusting” by Kevin Rudd but, as Andrew explains, its initial reception was positive.
“It played to thousands of people and I performed that song night after night and there wasn’t a single complaint, but it’s different in live theatre because people have come to see your stuff and it’s a different thing when it’s on TV or the internet because all sorts of people start seeing it who it’s not really for, and they’re the ones who tend to get outraged.”
While 'Solo Show' will revisit some old outrages, it will also explore some new ones that might get loud Australians on social media talking, as Andrew goes after scientists, activists, vegetarians and endangered wildlife. Andrew is optimistic, though, and believes we have already reached peak internet outrage.
“I think it was actually worse a couple of years ago when we thought we had to take all these outrages seriously but now there’s so many of them that I think it’s a bit easier to ignore them all and see them as a bit of hot air.”
“I enjoy being offended and getting on my high horse, it’s great fun, so it’s understandable that it’s become an international past-time.”
Andrew Hansen Tour Dates
14 February-1 March – Adelaide Fringe12 March – Brisbane Comedy Festival
18 March – Canberra Comedy Festival
26 March-5 April – Melbourne International Comedy Festival
23-24 April – Perth Comedy Festival
7-10 May – Sydney Comedy Festival
