TISM Takes On The Harbour In Opera House Debut
Image: This Is Serious Mum/Instagram
The masked Melbourne band, TISM is making its Sydney Opera House debut with its first live performance since their Death to Art tour wrapped up in November last year.
Their one-night-only show at the Opera House will feature their beloved album, Machiavelli And The Four Seasons.
The band will also present a full play through of the album, allowing their loyal fan base to hear their hit songs for the first time since the record’s release on 1 May 1995. This creative decision goes against the group’s anti-cultural veneration, instead encouraging fans to feel nostalgic.
TISM (also known as This Is Serious Mum) is a group from Melbourne that wears balaclava masks. They’ve kept their identities secret for over four decades, despite making around 400 live appearances. With their 43rd anniversary around the corner in December, their anonymity remains a part of their identity.
“It allows people to compare us to KISS and to Slipknot, and we obviously have more in common with Kenny G than either of those two bands,” said Humphrey B. Flaubert, band vocalist, to ABC.
“Think about the sort of humour you came up with in your 20s, do you still want to be known for that 30 years later? That’s what the masks mean to me.”
Each band member adopted an alias to protect their identity and as a nod to their sense of satirical humour. The band consists of Ron Hitler-Barassi as vocals; Humphrey B. Flaubert as vocals, programming; Jock Cheese as bass, guitar, vocals; Eugene de la Hot-Croix Bun as keys, vocals; Jon St Peenis as saxophone, vocals; Les Miserables as dancing, vocals; Leak Van Vlalin and Tokin’ Blackman as guitar; and Genre B Goode as vocals.
The group’s music combines electronic and pub rock, with their provocative nature and witty lyrics gaining the attention of the Australian music scene. While they were initially underground, they’ve since garnered national recognition.
Nationwide recognition
Their 1995 album reached number 8 on the ARIA charts, winning Gold, and the award for Best Independent Release at the ARIA Awards that same year. The group’s singles, such as (He’ll Never Be An) Ol’ Man River, Greg! The Stop Sign!!, and All Homeboys Are Dickheads helped the band become mainstream and widen their audience.
Other notable albums by the band include their www.tism.wanker.com, and De RigeurMortis.
TISM disbanded in 2004, but fans were fortunate as the group reunited in 2022 for the Good Things festival. They released a new album titled Death to Art in 2024 and went on tour across Australia.
In early 2025, the band’s well-known album was featured in a full-length book, Oceania, and a special reissue on vinyl and CD that included B-sides and demos.
TISM will take centre stage at the Sydney Opera House on 10 April 2026. Tickets go on presale from 10:00 am on 12 November, with general sale from 10:00 am on 13 November.
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