This week it was announced that the alternative-anonymous band TISM (which stands for 'This is Serious Mum') has re-formed and will play its first gig in almost 20 years.
The group was set up in the 80s but gained mainstream attention in the 90s with its album 'Machiavelli and the Four Seasons', reaching no. 8 on the ARIA charts.
Singles '(He'll Never Be An) Ol' Man River', 'Greg! The Stop Sign', 'Shut Up - The Footy's on the Radio', 'I Might Be a C*nt, but I'm Not a F*cking C*nt' and 'Whatareya?' all made the Top 100 of the ARIA singles chart.
Additionally, '(He'll Never Be An) Ol' Man River' reached no. 9 and 'Greg! The Stop Sign' no. 10 on Triple J's Hottest 100 in 1995.
So what's the Eurovision connection here?
When Australia was announced as a competitor for Eurovision 2015, a petition was launched to have TISM represent the nation and it gained a pretty impressive 14,000 signatures.
The band’s former lead singer responded to the petition saying:
"I do not wish to comment on behalf of TISM out of respect for my colleagues and the artistic integrity of the band. However if a multi-national with a horrendous human rights record gives me a large cheque, all bets are on."
After Australia finished in 20th place in the 2018 Grand Final, another push on social media calling for TISM to go to Eurovision was made by a Facebook group named 'TISM for Eurovision 2019' (it has now been updated to TISM for Eurovision 2023 and support also on Twitter from a certain Anthony Albanese.
The current Prime Minister, back then a Shadow Minister, tweeted his support saying "The nation should united to back #TISM4Eurovision2019”
During the group's interview with the Guardian Australia this week, journalist Andrew Stafford asked TISM about potentially representing Australia.
Their response may need some deciphering:
Andrew Stafford: "After the Good Things festival, will you represent Australia at Eurovision?"
Ron Hitler-Barassi: "Nineteen years, Andrew, 19 years. I know we haven’t given you much, but that’s what you come up with? From the Guardian? God, we might as well be on Triple M, mate. Fucking hell. What’s next, you going to ask us about the costumes, the balaclavas?
Actually, what do you think, Humphrey? Will Eurovision pay us as much money as Good Things?"
Humphrey B. Flaubert: "Well, once the kitchen’s done, I’m looking at the bathroom area; I think the tiles are a little bit rococo."
Ron Hitler-Barassi: "Like Midnight Oil and all good leftwing Guardian journalists, we do want to send our kids to private schools. I tell you what, Scotch [College] doesn’t come cheap, mate. Once they’re in senior, that’s about $29,000 a year. For the Good Things festival, that’s about a song and a half."
Before their return, TISM did finish 16th position in our poll of which artist Australian Eurovision fans most wanted to see at the Contest.
Whether that will happen or not (and whether TISM can be trusted on live TV in front of hundreds of millions!), their return will most likely see a renewed push for the intriguing anonymous band to give it a go.
You can catch TISM at the Good Things Festival on 2 December in Melbourne, 3 December in Sydney and 4 December in Brisbane. Tickets are on sale from June 21: https://www.goodthingsfestival.com.au/