Mental As Anything

w/ Thin White Ukes

Having blessed our stages, radio airwaves, record books, playlists, TV screens and award nights for close to 40 years – Mental As Anything are proud to announce a new chapter in their story and will be performing with us this August. With support on the night from Melbourne band the Thin White Ukes.

Boasting 12 albums between 1979 and 2009, Mental As Anything can proudly call themselves art pop pioneers – blending left-of-centre lyricism, blue-eyed soul and rock into a distinctively Australian context, providing chart success and mainstream appeal. Their contribution to the Australian music landscape was formally recognised in 2009 with their induction into the ARIA Hall Of Fame.

Closing in on their 40th Anniversary in 2017 – Mental As Anything are proud to announce the release of a new single ‘Shake Off Your Sandals’ – recently released under a new partnership with Universal Music Australia – covering both their cherished back catalogue and new material. ‘Shake Off Your Sandals’, an instant pop classic with a distinct Mentals twist, is the first in what will be a regular suite of singles; one every five months – a release cycle The Mentals followed at the genesis of their career. ‘Shake Off Your Sandals’ is available to buy, download or stream. Also, five of the Mentals most cherished albums (Get Wet, Cats & Dogs, Fundamental As Anything, Mouth To Mouth and Liar Liar Pants On Fire) are being reissued in a 5-album set on 11th December, the first in a series of re-releases planned.

Greedy Smith says: ‘Martin Plaza and I are excited Universal are re-launching the Mentals across the physical / digital divide. We are pumped to release 5 of our most important studio albums in a 5CD set. This coincides with our first NEW recordings in many years. In the studio with producer engineer Steve James we will pump out a new single every five months. First cab off the rank is ‘Shake Off Your Sandals’. No new album for us…just singles! We are quietly proud of where this project is taking us – our recording heritage in step with our future. We have toured continuously for 38 years and aren’t stopping yet. Hello Beijing, hello UK, hello Sweden and hello a venue near you. Bring it on.’

George Ash, President Of Universal Music Asia Pacific says: I love The Mentals, they are an essential thread in the fabric of Australian music history. Their record of chart hits is absolutely incredible; the envy of any artist. We’re all honoured to be working with Mental As Anything; building on their legacy and introducing their work to new generations in new ways.’

Mental As Anything’s studio albums sales success is clear. Their 4 platinum accreditations for their studio albums and many more gold awards – alongside constant tour activity, perpetuate a strong and enduring career. Their Greatest Hits collections boast further accreditation achievements, compiling their classic singles like The Nips Are Getting Bigger, If You Leave Me Can I Come Too, Live It Up; each enduring pop classics with a strong legacy – alongside many more anthems.

In total, Mental As Anything boast a nigh-unparalleled twenty ARIA Top 40 singles in Australia, spanning The Nips Are Getting Bigger (#16, 1979) to Mr Natural (#27, 1995).
The Mentals success also translated internationally with Top 10 singles in Germany, UK, Norway and NZ.

Today Greedy Smith and Martin Plaza continue the Mentals legacy with James Gillard (ex-Mondo Rock), Martin Cilla (The Atlantics) and drummer Jacob Cook; fulfilling a comprehensive tour schedule – most weekends of the calendar.