Paul McDermott, Tim Ferguson and Paul ‘Flacco’ Livingston.
Camera IconPaul McDermott, Tim Ferguson and Paul ‘Flacco’ Livingston. Credit: Supplied/Supplied

Paul McDermott’s Near Death Experience with Regal Theatre season

Tanya MacNaughtonEastern Reporter

LIKE their show's title, Near Death Experience, The Doug Anthony Allstars' season at Regal Theatre in October was close to becoming a casualty when Paul McDermott was summonsed for jury duty.

"The trial was 15 weeks and when Im the only source of income for my existence that's not great," McDermott said.

"That's not to say that Im not all for seeing justice done. Id love to sit on a jury and judge my peers, but unfortunately I wasn't able to do it on this occasion."

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The trio " McDermott, Tim Ferguson and Paul"Flacco" Livingston - has kept the DAAS train running since the 20-year reunion tour in 2014.

McDermott joked the longevity of the DAAS return was thanks to Ferguson's multiple sclerosis, which has him using a wheelchair.

"We didn't think Tim was going to last this long and now we're committed to continuing the journey," the 53-year-old said.

"It's one of those things when a fellow in a chair with a shortened life expectancy asks if we'd like to get the band back together, you sort of feel there's a little bit of guilt involved.

"But it has proven to be an absolute unbridled, unstoppable carousel of delirious delight."

The Room 101 host said Near Death Experience would be different to the Perth shows last year, with new songs and a few old ones "to satisfy the clamouring fans from the past".

"Essentially the Allstars has been a forward moving vehicle, it doesn't loiter in past glory and we've noticed that every song we've brought back from the old days we've bent out of shape completely," he said.

"It was a lovely machine back in the day and just turned into a beautiful vehicle once again."

McDermott said he believed in political correctness and did not think DAAS had ever been politically incorrect.

"I think an aspect of political correctness is being able to speak about any topic but not indulge in demonising or degrading other people because of their background, religion or beliefs," he said.

"We have just always in the Allstars said the things other people haven't wanted to say.

"There's a certain amount of brash honesty with what we used to and still do now, where some people like that and some don't.

"Thankfully, so far we've sold out across the country, so I think there are a few people who like it and certainly in the last show we were very honest about this current government.

"I don't believe they can keep going with all the disasters that keep engulfing them and the stupidity and ugliness of how they're treating other people."

THE ESSENTIALS

What: The Doug Anthony Allstars - Near Death Experience

Where: Regal Theatre, Subiaco

When: October 23 and 24

Tickets: www.ticketek.com.au