01 December 2004Music
Everyone Else Has Had More Sex Than Me

Everyone Else Has Had More Sex Than MeWell maybe not, but that's the title of a TISM song that has been flashified. You should have a listen. Everyone Else Has Had More Sex Than Me is a great song and emblematic of the witty insouciance, clever lyrics and catchy beats that form most TISM songs.

TISM (which stands for "This is Serious, Mum" in case you weren't in the know) is a small band from Melbourne, Australia whom I saw a few times when I did a year abroad back, wow, in 1993. Was it really that long ago?

I saw them live twice, at the Big Day Out at the Melbourne Fairgrounds a few weeks after I arrived and didn't know shit about anything and then again in November at the Pushover concert at the Olympic Park. I don't remember these dates because I have some great memory. Everyone who knows me, knows that my memory ain't worth shit. The band has a page that lists every single one of their live dates. Ever. The venues read likes a map of my pub crawling, music greedy year. The Punter's Club. The Evelyn. The Metro. The Esplanade (God, I loved the Espy). The Prince of Wales. And on and on. One of the best things about Melbourne was its simple accessibility.

"It's very important not to take anything we say seriously...it's also important to know that nobody gives a fuck about TISM, nor should they."

TISM is an "unknown" band. What I mean by that is they always come on stage in costume, play under pseudonyms and no one really knows who they are. When I saw them at the Pushover they were dressed in back from head to toe including balaclavas (what we Yanks call ski masks) over their heads. They each had a huge green fluorescent number from 1-7 attached to their backs with a metal frame so that number hung over their heads and bobbed around during their dance bits.

At one point, the lead singer Ron Hitler-Barassi jumped into the crowd and his mask was pulled off revealing someone with short brownish hair who looked more like an accountant than rock star. He's probably both although he jokes about maintaining his anonymity for the sake of his constituents.

If you want to read more about TISM, there's a great interview entitled Return of the Pop Vigilantes.

Even if you're not interested in the music, you should have a look at
Everyone Else Has Had More Sex Than Me for the elegant animation. Thanks, Brian, for sending it my way.

Posted by andrew at December 1, 2004 12:49 PM


Comments

brian Says:

"Ron Hitler-Barassi"

What? That's his name? That is totally f*cked up.

December 2, 2004 01:54 PM
brian Says:

Well, it's an amazingly cute bunny - and makes for a pretty great show combined with the music.

By the way, I found it at Dean Esmay's. I almost never go there but I'm glad I did this time.

And Andrew, don't know if you've seen them yet, but there are great photos from a trip to Libya at Michael Totten's:
http://www.michaeltotten.com/archives/000641.html

December 2, 2004 06:42 PM
PhotoSydney Says:

TISM - what a head trip to think that they're still together.

I saw them a twice a few years ago as well. Once was when they were on Regurgitator's undercard at Calletto's (spelling?) in Sydney and once at the Big Day Out. I've got to say that the first time they sucked - but then they were playing support and everyone just wanted to see the Gurge.

They were better at the Big Day Out. The best thing is that they don't take themselves too seriously.

Nice blog.

December 3, 2004 02:49 PM
nicole Says:

TISM rock. I love the song "Yob or Wanker" - puts a smile on my face everytime i hear it.

As for the Hitler-Barassi - not sure if it's his real name or a take on the former AFL great & Sydney Swans coach Ron Barassi and a moustache he used to sport?!

December 8, 2004 06:35 PM
Brad Says:

Ron is actually an english teacher and published writer... no, its not his real name. I've seen them about a dozen times and always have a hoot at their shows, F'in' hilarious to watch when on the drug that killed River Phoenix.

April 22, 2005 08:10 AM
Andrew Writes:

As far as I know, all the band memebers use pseudonyms, all are highly educated from the middle class of Melbourne. And they are great fun. A friend of mine just came back from OZ and brought the White Albun for me. It's brilliant stuff.

April 22, 2005 08:19 AM

Thanks for signing in, . Now you can comment. (sign out)

(If you haven't left a comment here before, you may need to be approved by the site owner before your comment will appear. Until then, it won't appear on the entry. Thanks for waiting.)


Remember me?


TrackBack URL for this entry:
http://www.americanidle.org/MT/mt-tb.cgi/922

Listed below are links to weblogs that reference:
'Everyone Else Has Had More Sex Than Me'.