T.I.S.M.

TISM (short for This Is Serious, Mum), formed in Melbourne, Australia in 1982, and, after a couple of false starts, became one the most popular underground groups of the Australian music scene. Amazingly, the band even managed to receive some commercial success in the mid-1990s. TISM have what can only be described as a twisted sense of humour. But whereas bands like They Might Be Giants use their humour to write pop songs with quirky lyrics, TISM use theirs to viciously lampoon anyone and anything. Literally nothing is sacred, and the band attempt to be as offensive as possible with mixed, although sometimes hilarious, results. TISM are not publicity-shy in any way, but every time they appear in public (which includes live gigs) they wear masks to hide their identities. Officially, their line-up consists of Ron Hitler-Barassi (vocals), Humphrey B. Flaubert (vocals and drums), Eugene de la Hot Croix Bun (vocals and keyboards), John St Peenis (formerly saxophone, now vocals), Jock Cheese (bass), Les Miserables (vocals) and Tokin Blackman (formerly known as Tony Coitus) (guitar). Past members include Marco Fessey (saxophone) and Leak Van Vlahen (guitar). Forming in Melbourne in 1982, the band wrote to Eddie Van Halen and Australian politician Paul Keating offering them the position of lead tamborine in the band. Both declined. It wasn't until 1985 that TISM's recordings began to see the light of day. Their debut single "Defecate on my Face" was released that year, although it wasn't until their third single, "40 Years - Then Death" was released that one of their songs was deemed fit to be played on radio. A rising tide of interest greeted the band in 1986 following the release of their debut album Form and Meaning Reach Ultimate Communion. An attempted interview at...