Recent years have seen a countless number of comebacks made by much-loved acts of yesteryear, each enjoying a varying level of success. Out of all these reformations and re-launchings, there are none more curious than the phenomenon that was Peter Combe’s barnstorming run of over-18 shows around the country’s many pubs and clubs back in 2007.
Recent years have seen a countless number of comebacks made by much-loved acts of yesteryear, each enjoying a varying level of success. Out of all these reformations and re-launchings, there are none more curious than the phenomenon that was Peter Combe’s barnstorming run of over-18 shows around the country’s many pubs and clubs back in 2007. Characteristically cynical twenty-somethings unfolded their arms and instead put them to use in acts of face-washing pantomime. Fast-forward to 2010 and the over-18 shows are still going strong, yet we’re also now bearing witness to the beginnings of the shows’ next logical step of evolution – young parents are now bringing their own children along to experience the wonder of the same children’s entertainer they grew up with. “Well, the family matinee shows are starting to outsell the evening ones in Adelaide, and I think they’re about neck and neck in Melbourne,” the legend himself explains.
“What I suspect will happen in the next five or so years – as long as I remain fit and healthy,” Peter continues, “is that the matinee shows will outstrip the evening ones as these young people start to hit their late twenties, early thirties, and decide to bring their five-year-old along. This is all purely guessing though,” he smiles.
While chatting with the pop-icon, it’s immediately apparent the runaway success of this unprecedented variety of show has taken him well by surprise, and it’s crystal clear that he’s more than grateful to have the opportunity to perform so extensively at this stage of his career. His passion is more than evident as he discusses the lasting influence of his most iconic tracks, “Some of them have a bit more richness, a bit more depth to them that they’ve lasted and become something a little more than just a ‘children’s song’,” Peter states.
“When I do shows around schools these days, you still see the children give the biggest reaction for Orange Juice,” Peter explains, establishing the timeless quality of his work – that is to say his body of work holds up in any audience even without the benefit of the nostalgia factor. Those indelible tracks – Wash Your Face With Orange Juice, Newspaper Mama, Juicy Juicy Green Grass, to name just a select few – have become incredibly deep-seated within the psyche of a generation.
After the initial run of shows in 2007, it’s becoming quite clear that the audience aren’t merely in it for the novelty factor. “Well if you had of asked me three years ago, I would have definitely said it was just nostalgia,” Peter muses. “But as you start to look out into the audience and see the looks on these kids’ faces, you see it’s something more. I can’t describe it.” The effect is so strong that it may well justify an extensive Freudian analysis, “Well I’m sure a psychologist could make a lot out of this,” Peter laughs, though the notion is far from outrageous.
The fact that these shows are unparalleled virtually elsewhere in the world classifies Peter Combe as not only a groundbreaking Australian children’s entertainer, but now also as a groundbreaking pub and club entertainer. Although there’s a current wave of ‘hip’ children’s entertainment starting to emanate from the US (most notably the star-studded Yo Gabba Gabba!), Peter’s shows tend to transcend far beyond the realm of irony. “It’s similar to what Rolf Harris did over in the UK all those years ago,” Peter explains. “But I’m quite proud that I can say ‘no-one else is doing this.’ The only other person that could do this, if he wanted to, would be Don Spencer,” he says, sparking another flash of nostalgia.
For those (both young and old), yet to experience, or relive, the wonder of Peter’s live show, it can be guaranteed that sheer joy can be gained no matter what stage in the day. “The evening shows are much louder than the matinee, simply because the volume can tend to be a bit much for younger ears. But both the matinee and evening shows are similar in that they share a number of songs, it’s just that Juicy Juicy Green Grass has a little more volume after dark.”
What’s clear is Peter’s devotion to the performance, aided by the positive vibes generated within the bandroom. “When I do these shows I love the audience, and I look out and they seem to love me [back]. It’s a great big lovefest, really,” Peter laughs. “It’s like a religious convention with all this love in the air, but nobody’s talking about God at all,” he says with a great big chuckle.
“I still love it, why would I ever want to retire when I absolutely love what I’m doing?” he proclaims. So is there a possibility that we can expect the next generation to be attending Peter Combe shows in two decades time? “On to my third audience cycle when I’m 80 you mean?” Peter laughs. “Well Rolf Harris is around that age and he’s still going strong,” he says contemplatively.
“But I think you need to be able to know when to stop, say if my voice gives way or if I start to wobble across the stage, which might be a bit embarrassing,” he states. “I keep myself fit, I’m extremely enthusiastic, and luckily I’m still very creative. Now if some of those things change in the next decade, then I’d be forced to reassess,” he says with a great sense of optimism.
Unlike many of the recently resurged acts doing the touring rounds, it’s absolutely impossible to criticise Peter for making a cynical cash-grab. “It’d be a bit unfair on the audience if I was just going out there and doing it for the money,” he explains with sincerity. “I’d never want to do that. I do because I absolutely love doing it.”
