The Ticklers

Sydney based band The Ticklers are a 4 piece ensemble made up of violin, saxophone/clarinet, sousaphone, guitar, drums, junk percussion, toys and vocals. The band is fronted by horn player Neill Duncan (Jew's Brothers/Darth Vegas/Six Volts) and violinist Daniel Weltlinger (Lulo Reinhardt/Monsieur Camembert/Zohar's Nigun/The Asthmatix) and has been renowned for almost a decade for it's kooky arrangements of many Swing and Klezmer classics. Performance highlights of The Ticklers over the years have included regular appearances at the Big Laugh Comedy Festival, “Sleepless City” with aerial circus theatre troupe Aerialise, Woodford Folk Festival and even the Cole Classic Swimming Championship amongst countless other appearances at festivals, bar mitzvahs and pubs around the country. In late 2012 Neill Duncan was diagnosed with cancer and in an effort to fight the spread of a sarcoma tragically had to have his left arm amputated. Being the truly amazing human being he is and a pure musician with a real zest for life, Neill is bravely carrying on. Today he is in proud possession of a one armed saxophone that was built for him by specialist Maarten Visser in the Netherlands. The production of this CD came about as a direct result of this tragedy with the specific aim of documenting a series of never released recordings of this seminal band as well as Neill’s wonderfully beautiful kooky music making. Music is timeless and vital and these recordings capture much of the magic made during the band’s heyday. Perhaps more importantly and in keeping with the humanistic overtones of Rectify Records the Ticklers album is a gentle and beautiful reminder of the fragility of life and the need to keep well in perspective what is truly important to us as human beings as opposed to petty concerns. All physical CD and digital download proceeds will be going directly towards Neill and his family.