Fighting Clowns is a 1980 concept album by the Firesign Theatre, taking place at a fictional USO-type camp show. It is unique among Firesign Theatre albums because it is primarily made up of songs rather than the group's usual audio theater or sketch comedy pieces. Many of the songs on this album were recorded live in front of an audience while some of the songs and much of the linking material was recorded in the studio. Cover artwork was done by Phil Hartman.
Track listing
Side one
"The Bozos Song" "The Four Gobs" "The 8 Shoes" "In The Hot Tub" "Hey, Reagan"
Side two
"In The War Zone" "Oh, Afghanistan" "In The Alley" "Violent Juvenile Freaks" "In The Hot Tub Again" "This Bus Won't Go To War"
Bonus tracks
"Jimmy Carter"
Performers
Phil Austin — Vocals and Rhythm Guitar Peter Bergman — Vocals David Ossman — Vocals Philip Proctor — Vocals Richard Parker — Keyboards Jeff Baxter — Lead Guitar Tim Emmons — Bass Ed Roscetti — Drums John Mitchell — Tenor & Baritone Sax Dick Spencer — Alto Sax & Clarinet Richard Cooper — Trumpet Phil Hartman — Album Cover Illustration
Release history
There have been numerous issues and re-issues of this album (and excerpts from this album) in a variety of formats including a one-sided picture disc.
LP - Rhino RNLP-018 - 1980 Cassette — Rhino RNC-018 - 1980 Picture Disc — Rhino RNPD-904 - 1980 CD Mobile Fidelity MFCD-748 - 1993 CD Firesign Theatre Records (distributed through Whirlwind Media) - 2001 CD Firesign Theatre Records / Lodestone Catalog 2006
Citations
Smith, Ronald L. The Goldmine Comedy Record Price Guide. Iola: Krause, 1996. Carruthers, Sean. "Fighting Clowns > Overview." Allmusic. March 4, 2006 – 10:3hq7g4gttvoz. Firesign Theatre. Fighting Clowns. Mobile Fidelity, 1993.
External links The Firesign Theatre's Official Website FIREZINE: Linques! (A Firesign Theatre FAQ)