Mental as Anything: Australia's Eclectic New Wave Pop Rock Pioneers
Mental as Anything is an Australian rock and pop group known for their quirky, new wave-influenced sound and enduring presence in the national music scene. Formed in Sydney in 1976, the band carved out a unique niche with their witty lyrics and catchy melodies, achieving significant chart success in their home country throughout the 1980s and beyond.
Early Career
Mental as Anything originated as a student band at the Sydney College of the Arts in 1976. The original lineup featured Martin Plaza (vocals, guitar), Reg Mombassa (guitar, vocals), his brother Peter "Yoga Dog" O'Doherty (bass), Wayne "Bird" Delisle (drums), and Andrew "Greedy" Smith (keyboards, vocals). They quickly became a fixture of the vibrant Sydney pub rock circuit, developing a reputation for their energetic live shows and eclectic, art-school sensibilities that blended rock, pop, and early new wave.
Breakthrough
The band's breakthrough came with their second studio album, 1979's 'Espresso Bongo'. The album spawned the hit single "The Nips Are Getting Bigger," which became an instant cult classic and a staple on Australian radio. This success established Mental as Anything's signature style-irreverent, observational, and impossibly catchy-and led to a prolific period of recording and chart success, primarily with the independent label Regular Records before later moving to CBS.
Key Tracks
Live It Up - This 1985 single became the band's biggest commercial hit, reaching No. 2 on the Australian charts and later gaining international recognition as the theme song for the film 'Crocodile Dundee'.
The Nips Are Getting Bigger - The breakthrough single that defined their early, ramshackle pub-rock charm and cemented their place in Australian music folklore.
If You Leave Me, Can I Come Too? - A top 5 Australian hit from 1981 that showcases their perfect blend of new wave energy and pure pop songcraft.
Berserk Warriors - A later single from 1990 that demonstrated the band's continued ability to craft smart, guitar-driven pop rock with a distinctive Australian character.
The band's output continued steadily, with albums like 'Cats & Dogs' (1981) and 'Creatures of Leisure' (1982) solidifying their status. Mental as Anything maintained a consistent presence on Australian radio and television, known for their inventive music videos. The group experienced several lineup changes over the decades, with Greedy Smith and Martin Plaza remaining the most constant frontmen until Smith's passing in 2019.
Artists with a similar blend of Australian rock, pop, and new wave charm include Midnight Oil, who share a sharp, observational lyrical style. The playful, guitar-pop side of their work finds common ground with Split Enz. Listeners who enjoy the quirky, melodic rock of Mental as Anything might also appreciate the work of Models, another key act from the same fertile Australian post-punk and pop scene.
