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tism
by Alex Burns (alex@disinfo.com) - November 26, 2001

This Is Serious Mum (TISM) formed in 1982 in Springvale (the Melbourne suburb). The Australian "anti-band" have created some of the most scathing satires about kultur.

After recording over 100 songs (the legendary unreleased "Bedroom Tapes"), the band suddenly split up. They reformed eighteen months later, inviting future Australian Prime Minister Paul Keating, Philip Roth, and guitarist Eddie Van Halen to join the band as lead tambourine player. All three declined.

Playing their first headlining shows throughout 1985, TISM hid their real identities by always performing onstage in balaclavas and surreal clothing, developing a directly confrontational and self-mocking live style.

Ron 'Hitler' Barassi and Humphrey B. Flaubert, and other members were able to evolve fluidly through line-up changes, while creating memorable public personas, influenced by the Surrealists, Captain Beefheart, David Bowie, and Frank Zappa.

Through a series of seminal early releases, including Defecate on My Face (1986), Form and Meaning Reach Ultimate Communion (1986), and Great Truckin' Songs of The Renaissance (1988), TISM's cult reputation and satirical outlook on the Australian psyche is quickly established. Signing to Phonogram, TISM released Hot Dogma (1990) to poor sales, and were "dropped" from their label, but are captured live in Leo Berkeley's film Holidays On The River Yarra (1990). Rumored to have broken up, the band return with a vengeance by signing to independent label Shock Records, and releasing the Beasts of Suburban EP (1992), and the well-received Gentlemen, Start Your Egos (1992) album.

Controversy flares again in 1993 when artist Ken Done sues the band over their cover to the "Australia The Lucky Cunt" single, whose Koala-with-Syringe parodied Done's visual style. The single was withdrawn after a week; it was later re-released under the title "Censored Due To Legal Advice" with an alternative cover mocking Sinead O'Connor's blistering attack on the Pope. Visceral live performances throughout 1993 and 1994 established high expectations for Machiavelli and the Four Seasons (1995). The album's singles "Jung Talent Time"; "[He'll Never Be An] Ol' Man River" (about River Phoenix) and "Greg! The Stop Sign" were extremely popular.

TISM's song-writing and techno-beats captured the attention of fans. TISM, the ultimate anti-band, found themselves "peaking" on the Australian national charts. After years of being exiled in the wilderness, Ron 'Hitler' Barassi reacted, with disbelief.

Shock Records took advantage of this newfound popularity by re-releasing the album in 1996 with the Machines Against The Rage live sessions. TISM spent most of 1996 touring and performing live on Australian television shows.

TISM had evolved into a 'core' quartet. Session members and live performers rounded out the band as required. The single "Shut up, the Footy's on the Radio" (1997) was dismissed by most fans as commercial opportunism, but the next single "Yob" (1997) suggested a further maturation of the band's techno-pop fusion, which dominated TISM's www.tism.wanker.com (1998). De Rigueurmortis (2001) continues TISM's Rabelaisian tradition.

Debate still rages over TISM and their legacy. Critics claim that TISM's output has become increasingly commercial and remains offensive to some audiences. But fans relish a band that dares to attack Australian and international icons so openly (except for failed entrepreneur-turned-criminal Christopher Skase).

TISM continues their bid for global domination. Next stop: a North American fanbase. If you're smart, you'll take the journey with them.

TISM
The official TISM site. Log on, tune in, and freak out.

www.tism.wanker.com
Named for the www.tism.wanker.com (1998) album, this high-resolution album promo site features numerous RealAudio/Video artefacts. Check out the hilarious Thunderbirds Are Coming Out film clip. Try beginning a conversation with TISM and their management on the discussion list (good luck!).

Shock Records: TISM Page
Stylish official site by TISM's record company, featuring the Thunderbirds Are Coming Out video, MP4 versions of "Whatareya", and the Internet only release of Machines Against The Rage. You can even purchase official TISM merchandise!

The TISM Webring
Keep up-to-date with TISM's campaign for global domination via the rapidly expanding TISM webring.

I Might Be A Cunt, But I'm . . .A Cunt!
A basic TISM fan site, featuring lyrics, photos, and band news. You can now order TISM CDs through a CD-Now affiliate.

Grassy Knoll's Home-page
TISM quotes and WAV files lovingly assembled by the intriguing Grassy Knoll, who asks: "Why don't people find rock bands funny?"

TISM F&MRUC
An Avant-Merde Production, this site is strictly devoted to TISM's rare debut EP by TISM Form and Meaning Reach Ultimate Communion, including cover, inlay card scans, and popular (but unauthorised) MP3s to download. A unique archival experience!

The TISM Webpedia
A collection of MP3 and video files, the standout section being the Fun Stuff, including TISM screensavers, techno music maker, phone interview/diatribe excerpts, live tracks, and early remixes. A must-see site that captures the unique flavour of TISM.

TISMitch
Lyrics, pictures, discography, and educational only MP3 files. Novelty factor: change the background colours. "One of the greatest bands ever!"

TISM FM
Clearly accessible site featuring a huge selection of TISM material. The MP3 section is very impressive, including live snapshots, rarities, guest cover-versions, and radio messages. A collection of promotional film-clips, guitar tablature, and band information rounds out one of the strongest TISM sites on the Internet!

Victims of TISM Support Group
TISM lyrics and gig reports from the frontline for recovering TISM addicts worldwide. Take the amusing victims test (misguided fan or mindless victim?) and marvel at the Mystery of the 'Artists' Explained revelations!

This Is Serious Mum: Jason Hess
Hess has followed TISM since seing an early live broadcast televised and purchasing their first EP Form and Meaning Reach Ultimate Communion (1986). An insight into the typical TISM fan, with anecdotes, favourite song lists, and photos.

Richard Miles' TISM Discography
Incredibly detailed and definitive discography for TISM, including videos; comics and books; major magazine articles; amd compilations. The TISM albums cover alternative versions, media promotional copies, and releases censored due to legal advice/in-action. Invaluable guide to completing your TISM collection.

Chris Irvine's TISM Memorabilia
Faced with huge TISM sites, Chris Irvine has opted for the personal approach, assembling rare setlists, signed boxed sets, band letters, and other TISM memorabilia. Interestingly, Chris also has first-generation copies of a March 1996 radio braodcast on the Australian Triple J network available. Drop by his site and consider taking up his kind offer.

TISM Jism
The page that finally unveils the secret identities of the balaclava-clad TISM members! A devastating critique of the band, focusing on their seminal early years before 'alternative-mainstream' pop stardom. Succinct guide to TISM philosophy by anonymous fans.

NoizeNet Australia: TISM
The best international source for the entire TISM music and video catalogue (including rare/obscure items). Excellent international order prices.

TISM: The Melbourne Anti-Band
Martin King nails what TISM 'is' (an "anti-band" from Melbourne) in an informative introductory essay.

Bring TISM To North America Coalition
A Canadian site at the forefront of TISM's bid for global domination, featuring for a limited time only, the entire 10 May 1998 live Webcast, RealAudio/Video archives of the Whatareya single, and the increasingly obligatory TISM chatroom. Join the network and bring TISM to North America now!

Paul Daly's Saturday Night Palsy
Paul has assembled a fine introduction to the band, with song directory, discography, and descriptions of TISM's exploits. The TISM 'Live History' contains set-lists and information about key gigs.

Kendra Powell's TISM Page
Proof that the TISM craze has spread to Los Angeles - probably the best thing to hit the metropolis since James Ellroy or Mike Davis. US fan Kendra offers her views on the band that has succeeded in offending everyone.

Thug's TISM Home-page
Collects together extremely RARE music industry promo sampler excerpts in MP3. Vintage TISM at their creative peak!

Satan Loves YOU!
A collection of lyrics to early TISM releases, and live rants by Ron 'Hitler' Barassi. Often manages to be simultaneously hilarious, self-mocking and offensive.

Flembo's TISM Page
A real TISM fanatic, Flembo has collected and archived the band's early material and miscellaneous items, including early seven inch single covers, live diatribes, and an incredible wedding telegram. Party hard to TISM!

TISM Ate My Balls!
Crazy advertisement from TISM begins with Ron 'Hitler' Barassi parodying the Rolling Stones classic "Sympathy for the Devil": "Please allow me to introduce myself, I'm a Man of Wealth and taste . . ." and then quickly morphs into typically ostentatious Australian humour.

Adam Perrett Interviews TISM's Ron 'Hitler' Barassi
Revealing recent interview with TISM singer Ron 'Hitler' Barassi for a student newspaper based at Deakin University in Geelong. Ron's thoughts on university life, controversial government MP Pauline Hanson, Natalie Imbruglia, and the orthodoxy of certain national alternative youth stations.

Chris Katsifolis' TISM Photos
Chris Katsifolis has created a significant portfolio of Australian bands, including nineteen shots taken of 1998-1999 gigs.

Aus Music: TISM
Bare-bones TISM information on an Australian music industry Web site, including discography and photos.

TISM At The 'Big Day Out' Festival (1996)
Review and photos from TISM's 21st January 1996 Big Day Out festival performance. Captures the band at their peak, and as growing popularity sets in.

Carl's TISM Page
Links to other sites, and a listing of TISM albums. Nothing else yet.

Triple J's Hottest 100 (1995)
Signs of alternative-mainstream acceptance. Did TISM sell out?

What's A TISM?
Short essay on TISM written for their Monash University (1995) gig. "Because music is not only about how many 12 year old girls you can attract. TISM's songs may not all be the most musical but they all have a message and many of them are entertaining."

tism linksW