17 October 2026 – Fortitude Music Hall, Brisbane – words and pictures by Bec Harbour
If you don’t know about TISM and their shenanigans – you might just be living in a different world. After allegedly breaking some stuff at their Sydney Opera House shows, this tour, the NO MISTAKES tour, is about them being on their best behaviour…allegedly. Although the use of “TSIM” on the promo may put lie to that…
The Fortitude Music Hall is already jam-packed and it’s definitely a mood in there tonight. After resurrecting themselves at Good Things Festival a couple of years ago in the worst and most obnoxious fashion possible, they have gained a new and younger audience from the heavier side of the fence, alongside the older crowd who saw them during their first round of mayhem.
First up is their support, Shock Value – were they chosen for their shock value? Possibly not, but they delivered a truly solid set that everyone seemed to enjoy. Channelling Iggy Pop circa 1972, singer George Roberts provided a howling dervish that only needed a jar of peanut butter and some broken glass. Interestingly enough, they have a full-time sleigh-bell ringer come dancer (think Bez from Happy Mondays), who is fully suited up and looks completely out of place amongst the others.
Shock Value – FMH – photos by Bec Harbour
Shock Value hail from Brisbane, with a solid grounding in blues, punk and garage rock. I was absolutely hoping that someone would drop their set list into Setlist.FM – the only song I recognised was ‘Bad Boy For Love’, a Rose Tattoo cover that closed their set. I’m going to have to keep an eye out for this band. I do love a band that makes a shit ton of noise and teeters on the edge of feral.
During the changeover, the crowd started up intermittent chants of “TISM are wankers!” as more people poured into the venue. I was pulling double duties on review and photography, so was sitting quietly and biding my time before heading back into the pit. I’ve shot TISM a few times before and know that, whether you like it or not, you can quickly become involved in the mayhem.
We were called into the pit, where a bunch of people wearing TISM shirts waved us over to give us a rundown of what might happen and where not to stand – TISM now have handlers, apparently. The chants of “TISM are wankers” intensified until the lights dimmed.
TISM – FMH – photos by Bec Harbour
And out came what could only be described as a cabaret/wedding band, dressed in gold sequined outfits, who proceeded to perform a cover of ‘Mandy’ that flowed into ‘I Feel Like Making Love’. I expected them to get beaten up or harassed when TISM arrived on stage. They did not. They stayed there the whole time, attempting to play an alternate set, only to be repeatedly drowned out by TISM.
TISM arrived on stage, also dressed in head-to-toe gold sequins (I cannot imagine how darn scratchy those outfits would be) and launched into ‘I Drive a Truck’, followed by ‘Mista Eliot – He Wanker’, kindly pointed out by large cards held aloft – a TISM gig staple. The show continued with ‘Everybody Needs Someone To Hate’ and ‘Existentialtism’.
TISM – FMH – photos by Bec Harbour
It should be noted here that the wedding band valiantly continued trying to play their set throughout the whole performance. ‘70’s Football’ was up next, and some Sherrins made an appearance, getting booted into the roof and bouncing off the lighting rigs (I bet someone winced when that happened). We then got ‘All Ordinaries Index’ and ‘Life Kills’ before moving into the cricket arena with ‘Lilley Caught Dilley Bowled Milli Vanilli’, followed by ‘All Homeboys Are Dickheads’ and the obligatory sing-along.
There was then a discussion about Australian Values, which I couldn’t hear very well (there was a lot of yapping in the crowd), followed by a few bars of ‘Eagle Rock’ and then ‘Mourningtown Ride’ into ‘I’ll Have Ya!’.
TISM – FMH – photos by Bec Harbour
We were on the downhill slope towards the end of the set with ‘Death, Death, Death!’, followed by the unmistakable vocal intro to ‘Greg, The Stop Sign’. A thousand or so voices joined in across the chorus, kicking things up another notch.
‘I’m Interested in Apathy’ was up next, then ‘(He’ll Never Be An) Ol’ Man River’ got the unofficial choir going again, with people dancing and singing for the sheer joy of hearing these songs live. The set wrapped up with ’YMCA’ into ‘Defecate On My Face’ because, of course, it did – it’s a crowd favourite…
TISM – FMH – photos by Bec Harbour
In the time-honoured tradition of bands playing peekaboo before an encore, TISM wasn’t about to uphold any traditions. The wedding band was valiantly trying to finish its set, but TISM, of course, crashed through with three more songs: ‘Old Skool TISM’, ‘Whatareya’ (one of the best 90’s dance songs, by the way) and a closing rendition of ‘Give Up For Australia’.
Whether you like the more political side of TISM, delivered in a way that you can only laugh at, or you’re just here for the stupid grossness, tonight’s set had it all. For a bunch of blokes who still carry on like 15-year-olds, they aren’t doing too badly. Musically, the set was on point. I did think the antics were definitely on the tamer side for TISM, though, and perhaps they’re just playing it safe after earlier this year.
TISM – FMH – photos by Bec Harbour
