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{{short description|Australian musical comedy act}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2011}}
{{unreliable sources|date=July 2018}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2020}}
{{Use Australian English|date=October 2011}}
{{Use Australian English|date=October 2011}}
{{Cleanup|date=May 2010}}
{{Infobox musical artist
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = The Axis of Awesome
| name = The Axis of Awesome
| image =
| image = Axis of Awesome 2011.jpg
| caption = The Axis of Awesome (left to right: Lee Naimo, [[Jordan Raskopoulos]], Benny Davis) performing {{circa|2011}}
| caption =
| image_size =
| image_size =
| background = group_or_band
| background = group_or_band
| alias =
| alias =
| origin = [[Sydney]], [[New South Wales, Australia|New South Wales]], Australia
| origin = [[Sydney]], Australia
| genre = <!-- Before changing the genres, please discuss it on the talk page -->[[Comedy rock]]
| genre = <!-- Before changing the genres, please discuss it on the talk page -->[[Comedy rock]]
| occupation =
| occupation =
| years_active = 2006–present
| years_active = 2006–2018
| label =
| label =
| associated_acts =
| associated_acts =
| website = {{URL|www.axisofawesome.net}}
| website = {{URL|www.axisofawesome.net}}{{deadlink|date=November 2023}}
| current_members = [[Jordan Raskopoulos]] ([[Lead vocals]])<br/>Lee Naimo ([[Guitar]], [[vocals]])<br/>Benny Davis ([[Vocals]], [[Keyboard instrument|keyboard]])
| past_members = [[Jordan Raskopoulos]] (lead vocals)<br />Lee Naimo (guitar, vocals)<br />Benny Davis (vocals, keyboard)
}}
}}


'''The Axis of Awesome''' is an Australian [[musical comedy]] act with members [[Jordan Raskopoulos]], Lee Naimo and Benny Davis. The trio cover a wide variety of performance styles, and perform a combination of original material and pop parodies.
'''The Axis of Awesome''' were an Australian [[comedy music]] act with members [[Jordan Raskopoulos]], Lee Naimo and Benny Davis, active from 2006 to 2018. The trio covered a wide variety of performance styles and performed a combination of original material and pop parodies.


==History==
==History==
The Axis of Awesome formed in 2006, their name being a play on the phrase "[[axis of evil]]" used by United States [[President of the United States|President]] [[George W. Bush]]. The trio were heavily involved in [[Improvisational theatre|improv]] theatre at University in Sydney and decided to try something different. The band played at a few stand up comedy nights and improv events in Sydney and performed a fortnightly segment on [[FBi Radio]], but got their first big break when they released a number of rap parodies lampooning the [[2007 Australian Federal Election]].
The Axis of Awesome formed in 2006, their name being a play on the phrase "[[axis of evil]]" used by United States [[President of the United States|President]] [[George W. Bush]]. The trio were heavily involved in [[Improvisational theatre|improv]] theatre at the [[University of Sydney]] and decided to try something different. The band played at a few stand-up comedy nights and improv events in Sydney and performed a fortnightly segment on [[FBi Radio]], but got their first big break when they released a number of rap parodies lampooning the [[2007 Australian Federal Election]].


The band gained further success performing in the [[Melbourne International Comedy Festival]] and making television and radio appearances. Their 2008 Melbourne International Comedy Festival show, titled "The Axis of Awesome Comeback Spectacular", received a [[Moosehead Award]]. They took the show to the [[Edinburgh Fringe]] in 2008 where it was received with critical and audience acclaim.<ref>[http://living.scotsman.com/best-of-the-festival-2008/Comedy-Axis-of-Awesome-Comeback.4417124.jp Comedy: Axis of Awesome Comeback Spectacular - Scotsman.com Living<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref><ref>[http://fest.theskinny.co.uk/article/93746-the-axis-of-awesome-comeback-spectacular 2008: The Axis of Awesome Comeback Spectacular | Fest - the ultimate guide to Edinburgh Festival reviews<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
The band gained further success performing in the [[Melbourne International Comedy Festival]] and making television and radio appearances. Their 2008 Melbourne International Comedy Festival show, titled "The Axis of Awesome Comeback Spectacular", received a [[Moosehead Award]]. They took the show to the [[Edinburgh Fringe]] in 2008 where it was received with critical and audience acclaim.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://living.scotsman.com/best-of-the-festival-2008/Comedy-Axis-of-Awesome-Comeback.4417124.jp|title=Comedy: Axis of Awesome Comeback Spectacular|accessdate=12 March 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://fest.theskinny.co.uk/article/93746-the-axis-of-awesome-comeback-spectacular |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120604053742/http://fest.theskinny.co.uk/article/93746-the-axis-of-awesome-comeback-spectacular |url-status=dead |archive-date=4 June 2012 |title=2008: The Axis of Awesome Comeback Spectacular - Fest - the ultimate guide to Edinburgh Festival reviews |accessdate=12 March 2017 }}</ref>


After the Edinburgh festival, The Axis of Awesome's song "4 Chords", a medley of 36 pop songs that all contain the same basic chord structure, received airplay on [[BBC Radio 1]].<ref>[http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/nihal/archive.shtml BBC - Radio 1 - Nihal Archive<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> This airplay drove listeners to the internet and "4 Chords" went viral, receiving millions of hits on [[YouTube]]. The success on YouTube prompted increased interest, both home and abroad, and the Axis performed the song on many radio and television programs, including [[Nova 969]], [[Triple M]], ''[[The Footy Show (rugby league)|The Footy Show]]'', ''[[Good News Week]]'' and ''[[9am with David and Kim]]''.
After the Edinburgh festival, the Axis of Awesome's song "4 Chords", a medley of 36 pop songs that all contain the same basic chord structure, received airplay on [[BBC Radio 1]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/nihal/archive.shtml|title=BBC - Radio 1 - Nihal Archive|last=BBC|accessdate=12 March 2017}}</ref> This airplay drove listeners to the internet and "4 Chords" went viral, receiving millions of views on [[YouTube]]. The success on YouTube prompted increased interest, both home and abroad, and the Axis performed the song on many radio and television programs, including [[Nova 96.9]], [[Triple M]], ''[[The Footy Show (rugby league)|The Footy Show]]'', ''[[Good News Week]]'' and ''[[9am with David & Kim]]''.


In April 2009, the Axis of Awesome performed at The [[Melbourne International Comedy Festival]] with a new show, The Axis of Awesome vs Bee.<ref>[http://www.comedyfestival.com.au/season/2009/show/the-axis-of-awesome-vs-bee/ The Axis of Awesome vs Bee | Melbourne International Comedy Festival - 1-26 April 2009<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> The show wove the band's songs into a narrative involving a giant bee. The Axis of Awesome vs Bee was also performed at the Sydney Comedy Festival (formerly The Cracker Comedy Festival) in May 2009.
In April 2009, the Axis of Awesome performed at the [[Melbourne International Comedy Festival]] with a new show, the Axis of Awesome vs Bee.<ref>[http://www.comedyfestival.com.au/season/2009/show/the-axis-of-awesome-vs-bee/ The Axis of Awesome vs Bee | Melbourne International Comedy Festival - 1-26 April 2009<!-- Bot generated title -->] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090304150711/http://www.comedyfestival.com.au/season/2009/show/the-axis-of-awesome-vs-bee |date=4 March 2009 }}</ref> The show wove the band's songs into a narrative involving a giant bee. The Axis of Awesome vs Bee was also performed at the Sydney Comedy Festival (formerly the Cracker Comedy Festival) in May 2009.


The Axis toured regional Queensland and New South Wales as part of The Melbourne Comedy festival roadshow and performed at the [[Adelaide Cabaret Festival]]<ref>[http://www.adelaidefestivalcentre.com.au/adelaidecabaret/archive/2009/index58e5.html?view=CatalogMgr&catalog=220&item=182512 2009 Adelaide Cabaret Festival - 5th - 20th June 2009<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> in May and June. They returned to The Edinburgh fringe in August with a new sell-out show "[[The Axis of Awesome: Infinity Rock Explosion]]" and appeared at the [[World's Funniest Island]] festival in Sydney in October.
The Axis toured regional Queensland and New South Wales as part of the Melbourne Comedy festival roadshow and performed at the [[Adelaide Cabaret Festival]]<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20150925113615/http://www.adelaidefestivalcentre.com.au/adelaidecabaret/archive/2009/index58e5.html?view=CatalogMgr&catalog=220&item=182512 2009 Adelaide Cabaret Festival - 5th - 20th June 2009<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> in May and June. They returned to the Edinburgh fringe in August with a new sell-out show "The Axis of Awesome: Infinity Rock Explosion" and appeared at the [[World's Funniest Island]] festival in Sydney in October.


In February 2010, The Axis of Awesome released their second album ''Infinity Rock Explosion!'' and performed sold out seasons at The Adelaide Fringe Festival, The Melbourne International Comedy Festival, The Sydney Comedy Festival and The Singapore Flipside Festival. They received The Time Out award for best local talent at the Sydney comedy festival and recorded their first DVD "The Axis of Awesome Live" which was released in Australia on 6 October 2010 by Punchline and Beyond Entertainment.
In February 2010, the Axis of Awesome released their second album, ''Infinity Rock Explosion!'', and performed sold out seasons at the Adelaide Fringe Festival, the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, the Sydney Comedy Festival and the Singapore Flipside Festival. They received the Time Out award for best local talent at the Sydney comedy festival and recorded their first DVD, ''The Axis of Awesome Live'', which was released in Australia on 6 October 2010 by Punchline and Beyond Entertainment.

They returned to the Edinburgh Festival again in 2014 with their new show "Viva La Vida Loca Las Vegas".

In February 2016, Raskopoulos publicly [[coming out of the closet|came out]] as transgender in a video called "What's happened to Jordan's beard".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2016/feb/15/axis-of-awesome-comedian-jordan-raskopoulos-on-being-transgender-i-never-felt-right-as-a-boy|title=Axis of Awesome comedian Jordan Raskopoulos on being transgender: 'I never felt right as a boy'|first=Steph|last=Harmon|date=15 February 2016|accessdate=12 March 2017|work=The Guardian}}</ref> She was pleasantly surprised by the "overwhelmingly positive" public reaction. Their album released that year, ''Viva La Vida Loca Las Vegas'', features a cover of [[Against Me!]]'s [[Transgender_Dysphoria_Blues#Track_listing|"Transgender Dysphoria Blues"]].

In August 2018, the band announced on Facebook that they would no longer be performing together as the Axis of Awesome.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Axis of Awesome |url=https://www.facebook.com/AxisOfAwesome/posts/10155327637621652?__xts__%5B0%5D=68.ARC3a1JOjEkKNbc4tVcYhzeeBTE0Y5I-in4f1yMW-JpfNmmRHwOe5JM8PrkCrhd6nI2dkaPgqSh4jWPq7ixyQNbWE1VcGHXac59UtFbwgeRs2OQgLCQsi8WfvzSDxs5Rk__a_yHEpptiJh-nDgJ29sGunChrV6glVaioonrpZB7oGbcyYXxnNpMuD6oRf34mQe9GO3xdZQsZcVt159S3Hz9u6ePviN5XqWSpWo3SD37Y4y3IFvwU2TZa74Hbp0qmcNvM0VZ3bN6guowOWww8ybbcwQbh1C0ZgA1O3-X_c2pPCCxTulnNW-PizVkdS3VtPnHe8L8Q-pScFw&__tn__=-R |publisher=Facebook |accessdate=22 December 2018 |date=6 August 2018 |quote=In March last year, after a decade of touring the world singing our silly songs we decided to take a break and now we've decided to make that break permanent. Lee, Benny and Jordan will no longer be performing together as The Axis of Awesome.}}</ref> The group had taken a break the year prior and later decided to make the break permanent.


==Discography==
==Discography==
Line 39: Line 46:
*''[[Infinity Rock Explosion!]]'' (2010)
*''[[Infinity Rock Explosion!]]'' (2010)
*''[[Animal Vehicle]]'' (2011)
*''[[Animal Vehicle]]'' (2011)
*''[[The Swimsuit Area]]'' (2012)
*''The Swimsuit Area'' (2012)
*''[[Cry Yourself a River]]'' (2012)
*''Cry Yourself a River'' (2012)
*''Christmawesome'' (2013)
*''Viva La Vida Loca Las Vegas'' (2016)


===Singles===
===Singles===
Line 50: Line 59:
! scope="col" rowspan="2" | Album
! scope="col" rowspan="2" | Album
|-
|-
! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"| [[UK Singles Chart|UK]]<br /><ref>{{cite web|first=Tobias|last=Zywietz|url=http://www.zobbel.de/cluk/110402cluk.txt|title=CHART: CLUK Update (2.04.2011 - week 11)|work=''Zobbel.de''|publisher=Tobias Zywietz|accessdate=February 28, 2012}}</ref>
! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"| [[UK Singles Chart|UK]]<br /><ref>{{cite web|first=Tobias|last=Zywietz|url=http://www.zobbel.de/cluk/110402cluk.txt|title=CHART: CLUK Update (2.04.2011 - week 11)|work=Zobbel.de|publisher=Tobias Zywietz|accessdate=28 February 2012}}</ref>
|-
|-
! scope="row"| "Four Chords"
! scope="row"| "Four Chords"
Line 59: Line 68:


==Awards==
==Awards==

* Melbourne International Comedy Festival Moosehead Award 2008
* Melbourne International Comedy Festival Moosehead Award 2008
* Time Out Sydney Comedy Festival Best Australian Act Award 2010
* Time Out Sydney Comedy Festival Best Australian Act Award 2010
* Time Out Sydney Best Comedy Show 2010-2011
* Time Out Sydney Best Comedy Show 2010–2011
* Online Video Awards Best YouTube Channel 2014<ref>http://www.openchannel.org.au/events/2014-online-video-awards/ {{Dead link|date=March 2022}}</ref>


=="Four Chords"==
=="Four Chords"==
"Four Chords" is one of The Axis of Awesome's best-known works. It is a medley of popular songs that all follow the [[pop-punk chord progression]]. The work is an attempt to outline the perceived formulaic nature of popular music. The "Four Chords", in [[Roman numeral analysis]], are written I - V - vi - IV.<ref name="Lynskey">{{Citation |first=Dorian |last=Lynskey |date=17 December 2010 |title=Don't Stop Believin': the power ballad that refused to die |work=[[The Guardian]] |page=3 (Film & music) |url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2010/dec/16/dont-stop-believin-2010 |accessdate=19 February 2011}}</ref> Since these four chords are played as an [[ostinato]], the band also uses a vi - IV - I - V, usually from the song "[[Save Tonight]]" to the song "[[Torn (Natalie Imbruglia song)|Torn]]". The band plays the song in the key of D (E in the live performance that has received critical acclaim on YouTube) so the progression they use is D-A-Bm-G (again, E, B, C#m, A on the live performances). Many of the songs featured in the medley have been transposed from their original keys.
"Four Chords" is the Axis of Awesome's best-known work. It is a medley of popular songs, set to the [[I–V–vi–IV progression]].<ref name="Lynskey">{{cite news |first=Dorian |last=Lynskey |date=17 December 2010 |title=Don't Stop Believin': the power ballad that refused to die |work=[[The Guardian]]|page=3 (Film & music) |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2010/dec/16/dont-stop-believin-2010 |accessdate=19 February 2011}}</ref> Many of the songs selected do not actually follow this four-chord progression, and some of the ones that do only include it briefly. Since these four chords are played as an [[ostinato]], the band also used a vi–IV–I–V, usually from the song "[[Save Tonight]]" to the song "[[Torn (Ednaswap song)|Torn]]". The band played the song in the key of D (E in the live performances on [[YouTube]]), so the progression they used is D–A–Bm–G (E, B, C#m, A on the live performances). Most of the songs were transposed from their original keys.


The band continually vary the songs comprising the medley, often incorporating new releases. The Axis' song "Birdplane" (itself a parody of the [[Five for Fighting]] song "[[Superman (It's Not Easy)|Superman]]") is always included, as well as Australian folk song "[[Waltzing Matilda]]" and "Down Under" by the Australian band [[Men at Work]]. The medley usually starts with [[Journey (band)|Journey]]'s "Don't Stop Believin'".
The band continually varied the songs comprising the medley, often incorporating new releases. The Axis' song "Birdplane" (itself a parody of the [[Five for Fighting]] song "[[Superman (It's Not Easy)|Superman]]") was always included, as well as "[[Down Under (song)|Down Under]]" by the Australian band [[Men at Work]]. The medley usually started with [[Journey (band)|Journey]]'s "[[Don't Stop Believin']]". The song always concluded with the chorus of "[[Scar (song)|Scar]]" (by [[Missy Higgins]]), except with the final line changed from "Could you leave me with a scar?" to "That's all it takes to be a star" (referring to the four chords themselves).


In 2011, Axis of Awesome played a version of this song at [[Red Nose Day 2011]].
On 20 July 2011, the Axis of Awesome released an [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oOlDewpCfZQ official music video] for "Four Chords" on their [[YouTube]] channel.


Songs in the official music video:<ref>{{cite AV media |date=20 July 2011 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oOlDewpCfZQ |title=4 Chords {{!}} Music Videos {{!}} The Axis Of Awesome |publisher=The Axis of Awesome |via=[[YouTube]] |access-date=23 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210628141356/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oOlDewpCfZQ |archive-date=28 June 2021 |url-status=live}}</ref>
On 20 July 2011, Axis of Awesome released an [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oOlDewpCfZQ official music video] for "Four Chords" on their YouTube channel.
# [[Journey (band)|Journey]] – "[[Don't Stop Believin']]"
# [[James Blunt]] – "[[You're Beautiful]]"
# [[The Black Eyed Peas]] – "[[Where Is the Love?|Where Is the Love]]"
# [[Alphaville (band)|Alphaville]] – "[[Forever Young (Alphaville song)|Forever Young]]"
# [[Jason Mraz]] – "[[I'm Yours (Jason Mraz song)|I'm Yours]]"
# [[Train (band)|Train]] – "[[Hey, Soul Sister]]"
# [[The Calling (band)|The Calling]] – "[[Wherever You Will Go]]"
# [[Elton John]] – "[[Can You Feel the Love Tonight]]" (from ''[[The Lion King]]'')
# [[Akon]] – "[[Don't Matter]]"
# [[John Denver]] – "[[Take Me Home, Country Roads]]"
# [[Lady Gaga]] – "[[Paparazzi (Lady Gaga song)|Paparazzi]]"
# [[U2]] – "[[With or Without You]]"
# [[The Last Goodnight]] – "[[Pictures of You (The Last Goodnight song)|Pictures of You]]"
# [[Maroon 5]] – "[[She Will Be Loved]]"
# [[The Beatles]] – "[[Let It Be (song)|Let It Be]]"
# [[Bob Marley]] – "[[No Woman, No Cry]]"
# [[Marcy Playground]] – "[[Sex and Candy]]"
# [[Men At Work]] – "[[Down Under (song)|Down Under]]"
# [[Jill Colucci]] – "The Funny Things You Do" (Theme from ''[[America's Funniest Home Videos]]'')
# [[Jack Johnson (musician)|Jack Johnson]] – "[[Taylor (song)|Taylor]]"
# [[Spice Girls]] – "[[2 Become 1]]"
# [[A-ha]] – "[[Take On Me]]"
# [[Green Day]] – "[[When I Come Around]]"
# [[Eagle Eye Cherry]] – "[[Save Tonight]]"
# [[Toto (band)|Toto]] – "[[Africa (Toto song)|Africa]]"
# [[Beyoncé]] – "[[If I Were A Boy]]"
# [[Kelly Clarkson]] – "[[Behind These Hazel Eyes]]"
# [[Jason Derulo]] – "[[In My Head (Jason Derulo song)|In My Head]]"
# [[The Smashing Pumpkins]] – "[[Bullet with Butterfly Wings]]"
# [[Joan Osborne]] – "[[One Of Us (Joan Osborne song)|One of Us]]"
# [[Avril Lavigne]] – "[[Complicated (Avril Lavigne song)|Complicated]]"
# [[The Offspring]] – "[[Self Esteem (song)|Self Esteem]]"
# [[The Offspring]] – "[[You're Gonna Go Far, Kid]]"
# [[Akon]] – "[[Beautiful (Akon song)|Beautiful]]"
# [[OneRepublic]] – "[[Apologize (OneRepublic song)|Apologize]]"
# [[Eminem]] featuring [[Rihanna]] – "[[Love the Way You Lie]]"
# [[Bon Jovi]] – "[[It's My Life (Bon Jovi song)|It's My Life]]"
# [[Lady Gaga]] – "[[Poker Face (Lady Gaga song)|Poker Face]]"
# [[Aqua (band)|Aqua]] – "[[Barbie Girl]]"
# [[Red Hot Chili Peppers]] – "[[Otherside]]"
# [[The Gregory Brothers]] – "[[Double Rainbow (viral video)|Double Rainbow]] Song"
# [[MGMT]] – "[[Kids (MGMT song)|Kids]]"
# [[Andrea Bocelli]] – "[[Con te partirò|Time to Say Goodbye]]"
# [[Robert Burns]] – "[[Auld Lang Syne]]"
# [[Five for Fighting]] – "[[Superman (It's Not Easy)|Superman]]"
# The Axis of Awesome – "Birdplane"
# [[Missy Higgins]] – "[[Scar (song)|Scar]]"


Other songs that have been played in the medley:<ref>{{cite AV media |date=5 January 2009 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qHBVnMf2t7w |title=The Axis of Awesome 4 Chords |publisher=[[Jordan Raskopoulos]] |via=[[YouTube]] |access-date=23 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210804115241/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qHBVnMf2t7w |archive-date=4 August 2021 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>Other recording 1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ob57ew1pU7Q</ref><ref>Other recording 2 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ugdoPjqg2JU</ref><ref>{{cite AV media |date=10 December 2009 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5pidokakU4I |title=Axis of Awesome - 4 Four Chord Song (with song titles) |publisher=random804 |via=[[YouTube]] |access-date=23 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210818031222/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5pidokakU4I |archive-date=18 August 2021 |url-status=live}}</ref>
Brigham Young University's a cappella group [[Vocal Point]] has covered The Axis of Awesome's Four Chords Song at their concerts.
# [[Alex Lloyd]] – "[[Amazing (Alex Lloyd song)|Amazing]]"
# [[Richard Marx]] – "[[Right Here Waiting]]"
# [[Adele]] – "[[Someone like You (Adele song)|Someone Like You]]"
# [[Christina Perri]] – "[[Jar of Hearts]]"
# [[Crowded House]] – "[[Fall At Your Feet]]"
# [[Red Hot Chili Peppers]] – "[[Under the Bridge]]"
# [[Daryl Braithwaite]] – "[[The Horses]]"
# [[Pink (singer)|Pink]] – "[[U + Ur Hand]]"
# [[The Fray]] – "[[You Found Me]]"
# [[3OH!3]] – "[[Don't Trust Me]]"
# [[Tim Minchin]] – "Canvas Bags"
# [[Blink-182]] – "[[Dammit (Growing Up)|Dammit]]"
# [[Kasey Chambers]] – "[[Not Pretty Enough]]"
# [[Alicia Keys]] – "[[No One (Alicia Keys song)|No One]]"
# [[Amiel Daemion|Amiel]] – "[[Lovesong (Amiel song)|Lovesong]]"
# [[Bush (British band)|Bush]] – "[[Glycerine (song)|Glycerine]]"
# [[Thirsty Merc]] – "[[20 Good Reasons]]"
# [[Lighthouse Family]] – "[[High (Lighthouse Family song)|High]]"
# [[Red Hot Chili Peppers]] – "[[Soul to Squeeze]]"
# [[Banjo Paterson]] – "[[Waltzing Matilda]]"
# [[Bic Runga]] – "[[Sway (Bic Runga song)|Sway]]"
# [[Ben Lee]] – "[[Cigarettes Will Kill You]]"
# [[Michael Jackson]] – "[[Man in the Mirror]]"
# [[Mika (singer)|Mika]] – "[[Happy Ending (Mika song)|Happy Ending]]"
# [[The Cranberries]] – "[[Zombie (The Cranberries song)|Zombie]]"
# [[Natalie Imbruglia]] – "[[Torn (Natalie Imbruglia song)|Torn]]"
# [[Miley Cyrus]] – "[[Wrecking Ball (Miley Cyrus song)|Wrecking Ball]]"
# [[Imagine Dragons]] – "[[Demons (Imagine Dragons song)|Demons]]"
# [[Idina Menzel]] – "[[Let It Go (Disney song)|Let It Go]]"<ref name="Other recording 4">{{cite AV media |date=31 May 2014 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Rk2F-EY3bI |title=The Axis of Awesome @ YouTube FanFest Australia 2014 |publisher=YouTube FanFest |via=[[YouTube]] |access-date=23 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191229141004/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Rk2F-EY3bI |archive-date=29 December 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref>
# [[Rihanna]] feat. [[Calvin Harris]] – "[[We Found Love]]"<ref name="Other recording 4"/>
# [[Avicii]] – "[[Wake Me Up (Avicii song)|Wake Me Up]]"<ref name="Other recording 5"/>
# [[Flo Rida]] – "[[Whistle (Flo Rida song)|Whistle]]"<ref name="Other recording 6">{{cite AV media |date=28 February 2016 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j1ZdKtNVSjs |title=Four Chords {{!}} The Axis of Awesome LIVE at PAXAUS 2015 |publisher=Roseanna G |via=[[YouTube]] |access-date=23 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201210234336/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j1ZdKtNVSjs&gl=US&hl=en |archive-date=10 December 2020 |url-status=live}}</ref>
# [[The Script]] feat. [[will.i.am]] – "[[Hall of Fame (song)|Hall of Fame]]"<ref name="Other recording 6"/>
# [[Wayne Carson|Carson]], [[Johnny Christopher|Christopher]], and [[Mark James (songwriter)|James]] – "[[Always on My Mind]]"<ref name="Other recording 4"/><ref name="Other recording 6"/>
# [[Die Ärzte]] – "[[Manchmal haben Frauen]]"<ref name="Other recording 5">{{cite AV media |date=4 September 2014 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cp6vPK6J5UM |title=The Axis of Awesome - 4 Chords Live at Hamburg 03.09.2014 |publisher=Simone Weichenhain |via=[[YouTube]] |access-date=23 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170204080251/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cp6vPK6J5UM |archive-date=4 February 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref>
# [[Iyaz]] – "[[Replay (Iyaz song)|Replay]]"<ref name="Other recording 7">{{cite AV media |date=16 September 2015 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dFpryVMgni0 |title=Axis of Awesome - All Popular Songs Are The Same 4 Chords |publisher=[[Just For Laughs]] |via=[[YouTube]] |access-date=23 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210811104750/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dFpryVMgni0 |archive-date=11 August 2021 |url-status=live}}</ref>


==See also==
Songs in the official music video:<ref>list in video description http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oOlDewpCfZQ</ref>
* [[List of songs containing the I–V–vi–IV progression]]
# [[Journey (band)|Journey]] - "[[Don't Stop Believin']]"
# [[James Blunt]] - "[[You're Beautiful]]"
# [[Black Eyed Peas]] - "[[Where Is the Love]]"
# [[Alphaville (band)|Alphaville]] - "[[Forever Young (Alphaville song)|Forever Young]]"
# [[Jason Mraz]] - "[[I'm Yours (Jason Mraz song)|I'm Yours]]"
# [[Train (band)|Train]] - "[[Hey Soul Sister]]"
# [[The Calling]] - "[[Wherever You Will Go]]"
# [[Elton John]] - "[[Can You Feel The Love Tonight]]" (from ''[[The Lion King]]'')
# [[Akon]] - "[[Don't Matter]]"
# [[John Denver]] - "[[Take Me Home Country Roads]]"
# [[Lady Gaga]] - "[[Paparazzi (Lady Gaga song)|Paparazzi]]"
# [[U2]] - "[[With Or Without You]]"
# [[The Last Goodnight]] - "[[Pictures of You (The Last Goodnight song)| Pictures of You]]"
# [[Maroon Five]] - "[[She Will Be Loved]]"
# [[The Beatles]] - "[[Let It Be]]"
# [[Bob Marley]] - "[[No Woman No Cry]]"
# [[Marcy Playground]] - "[[Sex and Candy]]"
# [[Men At Work]] - "[[Down Under (song) | Down Under]]"
# [[Jill Colucci]] - "The Funny Things You Do" (Theme from ''[[America's Funniest Home Videos]]'')
# [[Jack Johnson (musician)|Jack Johnson]] - "[[Taylor (song) |Taylor]]"
# [[Spice Girls]] - "[[2 Become 1]]"
# [[a-ha]] - "[[Take On Me]]"
# [[Green Day]] - "[[When I Come Around]]"
# [[Eagle Eye Cherry]] - "[[Save Tonight]]"
# [[Toto (band)|Toto]] - "[[Africa (Toto song) |Africa]]"
# [[Beyoncé]] - "[[If I Were A Boy]]"
# [[Kelly Clarkson]] - "[[Behind These Hazel Eyes]]"
# [[Jason DeRulo]] - "[[In My Head (Jason Derülo song)|In My Head]]"
# [[The Smashing Pumpkins]] - "[[Bullet With Butterfly Wings]]"
# [[Joan Osborne]] - "[[One Of Us (Joan Osborne song)| One of Us]]"
# [[Avril Lavigne]] - "[[Complicated (Avril Lavigne song)|Complicated]]"
# [[The Offspring]] - "[[Self Esteem]]"
# [[The Offspring]] - "[[You're Gonna Go Far, Kid]]"
# [[Akon]] - "[[Beautiful (Akon song)|Beautiful]]"
# [[Timbaland]] featuring [[OneRepublic]] - "[[Apologize (song)|Apologize]]"
# [[Eminem]] featuring [[Rihanna]] - "[[Love the Way You Lie]]"
# [[Bon Jovi]] - "[[It's My Life (Bon Jovi song)|It's My Life]]"
# [[Lady Gaga]] - "[[Poker Face (Lady Gaga song)|Poker Face]]"
# [[Aqua (band)|Aqua]] - "[[Barbie Girl]]"
# [[Red Hot Chili Peppers]] - "[[Otherside]]"
# [[The Gregory Brothers]] - "[[Double Rainbow (viral video)|Double Rainbow]] Song"
# [[MGMT]] - "[[Kids (MGMT song)|Kids]]"
# [[Andrea Bocelli]] - "[[Time To Say Goodbye]]"
# [[Robert Burns]] - "[[Auld Lang Syne]]"
# [[Five for Fighting]] - "[[Superman (It's Not Easy)|Superman]]"
# [[Axis of Awesome|The Axis of Awesome]] - "Birdplane"
# [[Missy Higgins]] - "[[Scar (song)|Scar]]"


Other songs that have been played in the medley:<ref>Original studio recording http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qHBVnMf2t7w</ref><ref>Other recording 1 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ob57ew1pU7Q</ref><ref>Other recording 2 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ugdoPjqg2JU</ref><ref>Other recording 3 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5pidokakU4I</ref>
# [[Alex Lloyd]] - "[[Amazing (Alex Lloyd song)|Amazing]]"
# [[Richard Marx]] - "[[Right Here Waiting]]"
# [[Adele]] - "[[Someone like You (Adele song)|Someone Like You]]"
# [[Christina Perri]] - "[[Jar of Hearts]]"
# [[Crowded House]] - "[[Fall At Your Feet]]"
# [[Red Hot Chili Peppers]] - "[[Under the Bridge]]"
# [[Daryl Braithwaite]] - "[[The Horses]]"
# [[Pink (singer)|Pink]] - "[[U + Ur Hand]]"
# [[The Fray]] - "[[You Found Me]]"
# [[3OH!3]] - "[[Don't Trust Me]]"
# [[Tim Minchin]] - "[[Canvas Bags]]"
# [[Blink-182]] - "[[Dammit (Growing Up)|Dammit]]"
# [[Kasey Chambers]] - "[[Not Pretty Enough]]"
# [[Alicia Keys]] - "[[No One (Alicia Keys song)|No One]]"
# [[Amiel Daemion|Amiel]] - "[[Lovesong (Amiel song)|Lovesong]]"
# [[Bush (band)|Bush]] - "[[Glycerine (song)|Glycerine]]"
# [[Thirsty Merc]] - "[[20 Good Reasons]]"
# [[Lighthouse Family]] - "[[High (Lighthouse Family song)|High]]"
# [[Red Hot Chili Peppers]] - "[[Soul to Squeeze]]"
# [[Banjo Patterson]] - "[[Waltzing Matilda]]"
# [[Bic Runga]] - "[[Sway (song)|Sway]]"
# [[Ben Lee]] - "[[Cigarettes Will Kill You]]"
# [[Michael Jackson]] - "[[Man in the Mirror]]"
# [[Mika (singer)|Mika]] - "[[Happy Ending (song)|Happy Ending]]"
# [[The Cranberries]] - "[[Zombie (song)| Zombie]]"
# [[Natalie Imbruglia]] - "[[Torn (Natalie Imbruglia song)|Torn]]"

==See also==
* [[Pop-punk chord progression]]
* [[List of four-chord songs]]
==References==
==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}


==External links==
==External links==
* {{Official website|1=http://www.axisofawesome.net/}}
* {{Official website|1=http://www.axisofawesome.net/}}{{deadlink|date=November 2023}}
* {{YouTube|user=axisofawesome}}
* {{YouTube|user=axisofawesome}}


{{The Axis of Awesome}}
{{The Axis of Awesome}}


{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Axis Of Awesome}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Axis of Awesome}}
[[Category:Australian comedy musical groups]]
[[Category:Australian comedy musical groups]]
[[Category:Australian radio comedy]]
[[Category:Australian radio comedy]]
[[Category:Comedy rock]]
[[Category:Comedy rock musical groups]]
[[Category:Musical groups established in 2006]]
[[Category:Musical groups disestablished in 2018]]
[[Category:Australian musical trios]]

Latest revision as of 05:31, 8 March 2024

The Axis of Awesome
The Axis of Awesome (left to right: Lee Naimo, Jordan Raskopoulos, Benny Davis) performing c. 2011
The Axis of Awesome (left to right: Lee Naimo, Jordan Raskopoulos, Benny Davis) performing c. 2011
Background information
OriginSydney, Australia
GenresComedy rock
Years active2006–2018
Past membersJordan Raskopoulos (lead vocals)
Lee Naimo (guitar, vocals)
Benny Davis (vocals, keyboard)
Websitewww.axisofawesome.net[dead link]

The Axis of Awesome were an Australian comedy music act with members Jordan Raskopoulos, Lee Naimo and Benny Davis, active from 2006 to 2018. The trio covered a wide variety of performance styles and performed a combination of original material and pop parodies.

History[edit]

The Axis of Awesome formed in 2006, their name being a play on the phrase "axis of evil" used by United States President George W. Bush. The trio were heavily involved in improv theatre at the University of Sydney and decided to try something different. The band played at a few stand-up comedy nights and improv events in Sydney and performed a fortnightly segment on FBi Radio, but got their first big break when they released a number of rap parodies lampooning the 2007 Australian Federal Election.

The band gained further success performing in the Melbourne International Comedy Festival and making television and radio appearances. Their 2008 Melbourne International Comedy Festival show, titled "The Axis of Awesome Comeback Spectacular", received a Moosehead Award. They took the show to the Edinburgh Fringe in 2008 where it was received with critical and audience acclaim.[1][2]

After the Edinburgh festival, the Axis of Awesome's song "4 Chords", a medley of 36 pop songs that all contain the same basic chord structure, received airplay on BBC Radio 1.[3] This airplay drove listeners to the internet and "4 Chords" went viral, receiving millions of views on YouTube. The success on YouTube prompted increased interest, both home and abroad, and the Axis performed the song on many radio and television programs, including Nova 96.9, Triple M, The Footy Show, Good News Week and 9am with David & Kim.

In April 2009, the Axis of Awesome performed at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival with a new show, the Axis of Awesome vs Bee.[4] The show wove the band's songs into a narrative involving a giant bee. The Axis of Awesome vs Bee was also performed at the Sydney Comedy Festival (formerly the Cracker Comedy Festival) in May 2009.

The Axis toured regional Queensland and New South Wales as part of the Melbourne Comedy festival roadshow and performed at the Adelaide Cabaret Festival[5] in May and June. They returned to the Edinburgh fringe in August with a new sell-out show "The Axis of Awesome: Infinity Rock Explosion" and appeared at the World's Funniest Island festival in Sydney in October.

In February 2010, the Axis of Awesome released their second album, Infinity Rock Explosion!, and performed sold out seasons at the Adelaide Fringe Festival, the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, the Sydney Comedy Festival and the Singapore Flipside Festival. They received the Time Out award for best local talent at the Sydney comedy festival and recorded their first DVD, The Axis of Awesome Live, which was released in Australia on 6 October 2010 by Punchline and Beyond Entertainment.

They returned to the Edinburgh Festival again in 2014 with their new show "Viva La Vida Loca Las Vegas".

In February 2016, Raskopoulos publicly came out as transgender in a video called "What's happened to Jordan's beard".[6] She was pleasantly surprised by the "overwhelmingly positive" public reaction. Their album released that year, Viva La Vida Loca Las Vegas, features a cover of Against Me!'s "Transgender Dysphoria Blues".

In August 2018, the band announced on Facebook that they would no longer be performing together as the Axis of Awesome.[7] The group had taken a break the year prior and later decided to make the break permanent.

Discography[edit]

Albums[edit]

Singles[edit]

List of singles, with selected chart positions, showing year released and album name
Title Year Peak chart positions Album
UK
[8]
"Four Chords" 2011 175 Animal Vehicle

Awards[edit]

  • Melbourne International Comedy Festival Moosehead Award 2008
  • Time Out Sydney Comedy Festival Best Australian Act Award 2010
  • Time Out Sydney Best Comedy Show 2010–2011
  • Online Video Awards Best YouTube Channel 2014[9]

"Four Chords"[edit]

"Four Chords" is the Axis of Awesome's best-known work. It is a medley of popular songs, set to the I–V–vi–IV progression.[10] Many of the songs selected do not actually follow this four-chord progression, and some of the ones that do only include it briefly. Since these four chords are played as an ostinato, the band also used a vi–IV–I–V, usually from the song "Save Tonight" to the song "Torn". The band played the song in the key of D (E in the live performances on YouTube), so the progression they used is D–A–Bm–G (E, B, C#m, A on the live performances). Most of the songs were transposed from their original keys.

The band continually varied the songs comprising the medley, often incorporating new releases. The Axis' song "Birdplane" (itself a parody of the Five for Fighting song "Superman") was always included, as well as "Down Under" by the Australian band Men at Work. The medley usually started with Journey's "Don't Stop Believin'". The song always concluded with the chorus of "Scar" (by Missy Higgins), except with the final line changed from "Could you leave me with a scar?" to "That's all it takes to be a star" (referring to the four chords themselves).

On 20 July 2011, the Axis of Awesome released an official music video for "Four Chords" on their YouTube channel.

Songs in the official music video:[11]

  1. Journey – "Don't Stop Believin'"
  2. James Blunt – "You're Beautiful"
  3. The Black Eyed Peas – "Where Is the Love"
  4. Alphaville – "Forever Young"
  5. Jason Mraz – "I'm Yours"
  6. Train – "Hey, Soul Sister"
  7. The Calling – "Wherever You Will Go"
  8. Elton John – "Can You Feel the Love Tonight" (from The Lion King)
  9. Akon – "Don't Matter"
  10. John Denver – "Take Me Home, Country Roads"
  11. Lady Gaga – "Paparazzi"
  12. U2 – "With or Without You"
  13. The Last Goodnight – "Pictures of You"
  14. Maroon 5 – "She Will Be Loved"
  15. The Beatles – "Let It Be"
  16. Bob Marley – "No Woman, No Cry"
  17. Marcy Playground – "Sex and Candy"
  18. Men At Work – "Down Under"
  19. Jill Colucci – "The Funny Things You Do" (Theme from America's Funniest Home Videos)
  20. Jack Johnson – "Taylor"
  21. Spice Girls – "2 Become 1"
  22. A-ha – "Take On Me"
  23. Green Day – "When I Come Around"
  24. Eagle Eye Cherry – "Save Tonight"
  25. Toto – "Africa"
  26. Beyoncé – "If I Were A Boy"
  27. Kelly Clarkson – "Behind These Hazel Eyes"
  28. Jason Derulo – "In My Head"
  29. The Smashing Pumpkins – "Bullet with Butterfly Wings"
  30. Joan Osborne – "One of Us"
  31. Avril Lavigne – "Complicated"
  32. The Offspring – "Self Esteem"
  33. The Offspring – "You're Gonna Go Far, Kid"
  34. Akon – "Beautiful"
  35. OneRepublic – "Apologize"
  36. Eminem featuring Rihanna – "Love the Way You Lie"
  37. Bon Jovi – "It's My Life"
  38. Lady Gaga – "Poker Face"
  39. Aqua – "Barbie Girl"
  40. Red Hot Chili Peppers – "Otherside"
  41. The Gregory Brothers – "Double Rainbow Song"
  42. MGMT – "Kids"
  43. Andrea Bocelli – "Time to Say Goodbye"
  44. Robert Burns – "Auld Lang Syne"
  45. Five for Fighting – "Superman"
  46. The Axis of Awesome – "Birdplane"
  47. Missy Higgins – "Scar"

Other songs that have been played in the medley:[12][13][14][15]

  1. Alex Lloyd – "Amazing"
  2. Richard Marx – "Right Here Waiting"
  3. Adele – "Someone Like You"
  4. Christina Perri – "Jar of Hearts"
  5. Crowded House – "Fall At Your Feet"
  6. Red Hot Chili Peppers – "Under the Bridge"
  7. Daryl Braithwaite – "The Horses"
  8. Pink – "U + Ur Hand"
  9. The Fray – "You Found Me"
  10. 3OH!3 – "Don't Trust Me"
  11. Tim Minchin – "Canvas Bags"
  12. Blink-182 – "Dammit"
  13. Kasey Chambers – "Not Pretty Enough"
  14. Alicia Keys – "No One"
  15. Amiel – "Lovesong"
  16. Bush – "Glycerine"
  17. Thirsty Merc – "20 Good Reasons"
  18. Lighthouse Family – "High"
  19. Red Hot Chili Peppers – "Soul to Squeeze"
  20. Banjo Paterson – "Waltzing Matilda"
  21. Bic Runga – "Sway"
  22. Ben Lee – "Cigarettes Will Kill You"
  23. Michael Jackson – "Man in the Mirror"
  24. Mika – "Happy Ending"
  25. The Cranberries – "Zombie"
  26. Natalie Imbruglia – "Torn"
  27. Miley Cyrus – "Wrecking Ball"
  28. Imagine Dragons – "Demons"
  29. Idina Menzel – "Let It Go"[16]
  30. Rihanna feat. Calvin Harris – "We Found Love"[16]
  31. Avicii – "Wake Me Up"[17]
  32. Flo Rida – "Whistle"[18]
  33. The Script feat. will.i.am – "Hall of Fame"[18]
  34. Carson, Christopher, and James – "Always on My Mind"[16][18]
  35. Die Ärzte – "Manchmal haben Frauen"[17]
  36. Iyaz – "Replay"[19]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Comedy: Axis of Awesome Comeback Spectacular". Retrieved 12 March 2017.
  2. ^ "2008: The Axis of Awesome Comeback Spectacular - Fest - the ultimate guide to Edinburgh Festival reviews". Archived from the original on 4 June 2012. Retrieved 12 March 2017.
  3. ^ BBC. "BBC - Radio 1 - Nihal Archive". Retrieved 12 March 2017.
  4. ^ The Axis of Awesome vs Bee | Melbourne International Comedy Festival - 1-26 April 2009 Archived 4 March 2009 at the Wayback Machine
  5. ^ 2009 Adelaide Cabaret Festival - 5th - 20th June 2009
  6. ^ Harmon, Steph (15 February 2016). "Axis of Awesome comedian Jordan Raskopoulos on being transgender: 'I never felt right as a boy'". The Guardian. Retrieved 12 March 2017.
  7. ^ "The Axis of Awesome". Facebook. 6 August 2018. Retrieved 22 December 2018. In March last year, after a decade of touring the world singing our silly songs we decided to take a break and now we've decided to make that break permanent. Lee, Benny and Jordan will no longer be performing together as The Axis of Awesome.
  8. ^ Zywietz, Tobias. "CHART: CLUK Update (2.04.2011 - week 11)". Zobbel.de. Tobias Zywietz. Retrieved 28 February 2012.
  9. ^ http://www.openchannel.org.au/events/2014-online-video-awards/ [dead link]
  10. ^ Lynskey, Dorian (17 December 2010). "Don't Stop Believin': the power ballad that refused to die". The Guardian. p. 3 (Film & music). Retrieved 19 February 2011.
  11. ^ 4 Chords | Music Videos | The Axis Of Awesome. The Axis of Awesome. 20 July 2011. Archived from the original on 28 June 2021. Retrieved 23 August 2021 – via YouTube.
  12. ^ The Axis of Awesome 4 Chords. Jordan Raskopoulos. 5 January 2009. Archived from the original on 4 August 2021. Retrieved 23 August 2021 – via YouTube.
  13. ^ Other recording 1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ob57ew1pU7Q
  14. ^ Other recording 2 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ugdoPjqg2JU
  15. ^ Axis of Awesome - 4 Four Chord Song (with song titles). random804. 10 December 2009. Archived from the original on 18 August 2021. Retrieved 23 August 2021 – via YouTube.
  16. ^ a b c The Axis of Awesome @ YouTube FanFest Australia 2014. YouTube FanFest. 31 May 2014. Archived from the original on 29 December 2019. Retrieved 23 August 2021 – via YouTube.
  17. ^ a b The Axis of Awesome - 4 Chords Live at Hamburg 03.09.2014. Simone Weichenhain. 4 September 2014. Archived from the original on 4 February 2017. Retrieved 23 August 2021 – via YouTube.
  18. ^ a b c Four Chords | The Axis of Awesome LIVE at PAXAUS 2015. Roseanna G. 28 February 2016. Archived from the original on 10 December 2020. Retrieved 23 August 2021 – via YouTube.
  19. ^ Axis of Awesome - All Popular Songs Are The Same 4 Chords. Just For Laughs. 16 September 2015. Archived from the original on 11 August 2021. Retrieved 23 August 2021 – via YouTube.

External links[edit]

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=The_Axis_of_Awesome&oldid=1212502541"