Various

One of Adelaide’s most cherished entertainers is being recognised for his remarkable talents thanks to a massive CD tribute. Those who’ve turned out include some of the brighter stars of Australia’s music scene (including Tex Perkins, Deborah Conway, James Cruickshank of the Cruel Sea and The Blow Waves).

The 3CD set Big Squiddy Fun/Baterz For Beginners is the work of Fizzygo Records, a label set up exclusively to keep the memory of Baterz and his much-loved music alive. Baterz was noted for being a striking and popular musician before his tragic passing on July 23, 2002 due to HIV infection during a routine blood transfusion. In keeping with his infamous sense of self-expression, he was buried within a LEGO castle in his favourite old world French military uniform.

Baterz status as a cult figure is deservedly the stuff of legend. The inspired lunacy he delivered to audiences both as a solo artist and as member of mid-90s act The Bedridden and frankly hysterical cover band Skinny Blonde Idiots is still discussed with awe and longing today.

Fizzygo Records is run by close friend Guillaume Vetu, Baterz’s parents (Robin and Martin) and his sister Juliet Ward – with all profits directly re-injected into funding its next project.

“In 2007,” says Vetu, “we started talking seriously about getting his musical extended family and fans back together to remind people who Baterz is and hopefully create more fans.”

Before making Adelaide his home in 1989, the utterly unique Baterz was born as Barnaby Ward in Canberra. Undaunted by the severe form of haemophilia he was born with or even periodically being bound to wheelchairs or walking sticks throughout his life, Baterz vibrant imagination proved boundless from an early age. He developed a keen sense of expression which, aside from blossoming into the idiosyncratic music he’d become known for, also came out in his signature cartooning and the myriad of games he loved to get lost in.

“The first list of people was put together by Baterz’s life-partner Jesse and the rest of us at Fizzygo,” says Vetu, “and that involved the musicians who actually knew him.

“Some people who appear are dear friends, like Mahatt, Soursob Bob, Mal Webb and ex members of The Bedridden. Deb Conway became a huge fan after Baterz supported her and some, like Tex Perkins, came aboard later when James Cruickshank asked him to sing one of the tracks he recorded for it.

“Fizzygo has more things to come,” Vetu promises, “including re-releases of Baterz’s albums, a DVD, a coffee table book of his art and a posthumous collection of previously unreleased Baterz songs.” Paul Nassari – Sunday Mail, Adelaide

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