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u/Mental_As_Anything_

▲ 8 r/australianmusic+2 crossposts

Mental As Anything were a legendary band from Sydney, Australia. The members met at art school, and each was a visual artist as well as a musician. Guitarist Reg Mombassa also became widely known in Australia for his iconic artwork for the surfwear brand Mambo. Even if the band is unfamiliar to you, their reach was remarkable: Elton John bought their artwork in the 1980s, and Elvis Costello produced one of their singles.

The band’s creative and commercial peak stretched across the entire 1980s, when they were a dominant presence on the Australian charts. If you’re from the Northern Hemisphere, you may know their song “Live It Up”, which featured in the film Crocodile Dundee.

The Mentals were a little New Wave, mostly Pop Rock, and always full of flair, humour, and charm. They had a rare gift for writing catchy songs, delivering them both live and on record with fine musicianship and a style that was entirely their own.

Monumental As Anything — released on VHS in 1985 — and Monumental II — released in 1999 — were two compilations of the band’s music videos. They also included bonus footage and interviews, and together they represent the band’s complete videography.

In 2026, a brilliant documentary about the band was released: Live It Up: The Mental As Anything Story. It is well worth your time and makes a terrific entry point into the colourful world of Mental As Anything.

The Mentals were:

Martin Plaza — lead vocals, guitar

Wayne DeLisle — drums

Reg Mombassa — guitar, vocals

Greedy Smith — lead vocals, keyboards, harmonica

Peter O’Doherty — bass guitar, vocals

Mental As Anything - Monumental As Anything (1985)

Music videos on Monumental As Anything

  1. You’re So Strong
  2. Romeo and Juliet
  3. If You Leave Me, Can I Come Too?
  4. Too Many Times
  5. The Nips Are Getting Bigger
  6. Close Again
  7. Live It Up
  8. Working for the Man
  9. I Didn’t Mean to Be Mean
  10. Holiday in Auckland
  11. Egypt
  12. Berserk Warriors
  13. Spirit Got Lost
  14. Ready for You Now
  15. Let’s Cook
  16. Got Hit
  17. Wouldn’t Try to Explain
  18. Brain Brain
  19. Apocalypso

Mental As Anything - Monumental II (1999)

Music videos on Monumental II

  1. Come Around
  2. Date with Destiny
  3. Big Wheel
  4. Hold On
  5. Let’s Go to Paradise
  6. He’s Just No Good for You
  7. Don’t Tell Me Now
  8. Love Me Tender
  9. Rock ’n’ Roll Music
  10. The World Seems Difficult
  11. Baby You’re Wild
  12. Overwhelmed
  13. Mr Natural
  14. Nigel
  15. Whole Wide World
  16. Calling Colin
  17. Just My Luck
  18. The Nips Are Getting Bigger — Live
u/Mental_As_Anything_ — 8 days ago