TISM (This Is Serious Mum) are a seven-piece anonymous alternative rock band, formed in Melbourne in 1982. Main members include vocalist/drummer Humphrey B. Flaubert, bassist/vocalist Jock Cheese, keyboard player Eugene de la Hot Croix Bun, and vocalist Ron Hitler-Barassi. Over the years the band has developed somewhat a fanatical following, including the “Victims of TISM” fan page. When a show was announced at the Sydney Opera House, tickets sold out in record time, leading to the announcement of an additional second show on Sunday.
In keeping with the cult-like dedication of the fan group, there was a boisterous pre-meetup on Friday in readiness of a march to the Sydney Opera House. TISM and the Opera House is a peculiar match, akin to the Republican Four Seasons Total Landscaping press conference. Fans were unanimous in wondering how the wild and crazy bad would fit in with the hallowed halls. Over the years, there has been a long line of international stars who have performed on the Opera House stages, among them Sting, The Cure, Kraftwerk, The National, Björk, Patti Smith, Bob Dylan and Massive Attack. Now it’s time for TISM to grace the hallowed stage.
The audience were decked in a variety of attire, from formal tuxedos to TISM T-shirts, balaclavas and much in between. TISM were dressed in shiny silver dresses and iconic pointed cone hats that paid homage to the sails of the Opera House. The set opened with “Adagio for Strings” and “Phillip Glass’s Arse” performed by a choir and the Opera House Organ before a rousing rendition of “(He’ll Never Be An) Old Man River.”
What followed is a wild ride through Machiavelli and the Four Seasons with favourites such as “Garbage”, “All Homeboys are Dickheads” and “Greg, The Stop Sign”. Large banners advertising the upcoming songs were paraded on stage before being launched into the crowd, snatched up as coveted souvenirs. Overall it was a raucous affair with band members often launching themselves into the audience. It was a strange mashup of rock opera and punk anarchy that was genuinely entertaining to watch. It’s hard to say who had more fun, the audience or the band members.
With hits such as “I’m Interested in Apathy” from Great Truckin’ Songs of the Renaissance and “Defacate on My Face” from This Is Serious Mum, there really was something for all the fans. A colourful collaboration of culture and rock and roll that left everyone happy and satisfied. A show that will go down in rock and roll history.
FIVE STARS (OUT OF FIVE)
Check out the gallery from John Goodridge
For tickets to Sunday’s show check out the website
Reviewer attended 10.04.26
