Idiot’s guide to song

IT’S not often you go to see a band expecting to laugh out loud for the entire set.

But that’s what you will probably get if you go to see The Idiot Bastard Band where the four-piece is made up entirely of comedians — and all household names.

For one, there’s Neil Innes, who younger readers may not immediately recognise.

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Neil started out with 60s manic group the Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band, whose most famous hit was I’m the Urban Spaceman.

Penned by Innes, the song won him an Ivor Novello award and became a chart hit.

Some time later, he fell in with the Monty Python crowd and the eagle-eyed among you may remember him as the minstrel who sings about brave Sir Robin duly running away in Monty Python and the Holy Grail.

He was also the musical genius behind the spoof of The Beatles known as The Rutles.

Joining Neil is Ade Edmondson.

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Edmondson is doomed to be forever known as the anarchic, metal-thrashing Vyvyan from The Young Ones.

He also went on to star in Filthy Rich and Catflap and Bottom.

Some people may be unaware that he is also an accomplished musician.

He played a rock ‘n’ roll guitarist in The Comic Strip’s Bad News — a spoof of a touring rock band which pre-dates the more well-known Spinal Tap.

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He also plays and sings Wheel’s On Fire on his wife Jennifer Saunder’s hit comedy, Absolutely Fabulous.

Also in the band is Roland Rivron, who is well-known to some, to others he’s that bloke you’ve seen in different things on the telly.

Rivron is a drummer who toured briefly with late-80s band Transvision Vamp.

He was also the drummer on the Fat Les England football single, Vindaloo as well as playing with Jules Holland’s Rhythm and Blues Orchestra.

But, for me, the big reveal in the band is Phill Jupitus.

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Now I had been completely unaware that Jupitus had any musical background but have since found out that he warbled with no less a band than The Blockheads — they of Ian Dury fame.

But mainly the comedy star of shows like Never Mind The Buzzcocks and, frequently, QI had been a long-time host on BBC Radio 6 Music up until five years ago.

The Idiot Bastard Band is playing at the Old Fruitmarket in Glasgow’s Candleriggs on Sunday.

Tickets cost £22.50.