The Doug Anthony Allstars formed in 1986 and went their separate ways in 1994. The D.A.A.S consisted of Tim Ferguson, Richard Fidler and Paul McDermott. The D.A.A.S considered themselves neither comedians nor a band, so it is hard to place them under either category even though they sang songs and performed live sketches in front of audiences.
They started out busking on the streets of Canberra (their home city) and performed for the people that were in close proximity to them. People would come to watch the boys as they launched in to songs and played up (on one account, Paul set fire to some clothes and walked across them!). Paul took on the lead role as singer, yet both Tim and Richard supported him with backing vocals, turning each song into a dreamy acapella.
Richard played the guitar for the trio and with both his musical knowledge and Paul's song writing/voice the Doug's were off to stardom. Apart from adding his voice to the Allstars, Tim was the one responsible for keeping things afloat. His job was managing the performances and making sure that advertising flyers etc.. were out on time.
Paul would offer his artistic talent to designing and painting the sets which they would perform with. After touring all over the world to places like the U.S, England and Germany the Dougs returned home to Australia and won a regular spot on the ABC production,The Big Gig.
It is here where they were noticed for the first time by their own country. The Doug Anthony Allstars soon developed quite a large gathering at their gigs and the chant of 'Allstars! Allstars! Allstars!' was often called at the beginning of their appearances.
After the Big Gig, the Doug Anthony Allstars went on to develop their own tv show on the ABC called DAAS KAPITAL. DAAS KAPITAL ran for two seasons from 1991-1992. By now the D.A.A.S merchandising arm was in demand for goods to satisfy the fans. It was then that the Doug's brought out a book appropriately called 'BOOK'. It was a compilation of stories written by the boys before and during their performances.
It was in 1994 that the Allstars decided to part ways and find another path to walk. They did a couple of shows for their last concert, two of which are on their LAST Concert CD/cassette Sweetness and Light' and 'Kids and Animals'.