A superbly researched and written account of one of Australia’s most popular bands, with unfettered access to all the key players, and a defacto social history of a time when living in Sydney was cheap and fun.
The Mentals went from the top of a pool table to the top of the charts. Enjoy the untold stories behind Aussie classics like: Live It Up, Too Many Times, If You Leave Me Can I Come Too?, Berserk Warriors, Egypt, The Nips are Getting Bigger, and a whole lot more.
“In fact, the Mentals had more charting singles than any other Aussie band in the 80s and 90s,” says author, Stuart Lloyd. “26 in all, compared to INXS’ 17.”
Plus, tales from the road as told by Greedy, Martin, Bird, Pete & Reg — and a star-studded cast including Colin Hay, Richard Gottehrer, Mark Opitz, Ross Wilson and Wreckless Eric — in this access-all-areas official biography.
“It’s an official biography, but that doesn’t mean it’s been sandpapered and varnished into some sort of saccharine version of the truth,” says Lloyd. “I told them upfront it had to be warts and all, or not at all, and to their credit, they have signed off on the good the bad and the ugly of the band’s 43-year journey … including the acrimonious wrongful dismissal court case in 2004, an on-stage death at Australian Made 1987, a punch-up between Greedy and Bird that put the drummer in hospital while touring New York, a payola scandal which affected Live It Up, and so on. But overall it’s a celebration of one of Oz Rock’s hardest-working most prolific and creative bands. A great summer read, I’d say.”
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“Love it!!! Brought up lots of memories. Thoroughly enjoyable.” —KIRK PENGILLY, INXS
“This book gives us a big gulp of one of Australia’s most uniquely talented and popular bands.”—ANTHONY (TONY) FIELD, The Cockroaches, The Wiggles.
“An extraordinary and horrific portrait of five butchers who were country-killed specialists, shot through with black humour and near-naked burlesque attire.’— H.G. NELSON, comedian and broadcaster
“Stuart Lloyd captures the alchemy that saw Australian bands flourish from the arid plains of our suburban lives. I loved the Mentals and I love this book.” —DAVE WARNER, author, Countdown: The Wonder Years, and 25 Years of Mushroom Records
“Takes us behind the showbiz curtain. A deep-dive beyond the colourful personalities and the larrikin-esque cheerfulness of a uniquely Australian band who have been the soundtrack of our lives for decades. Had me glued to each page.” —JANE GAZZO, music journalist and broadcaster
Stuart Lloyd has interviewed the likes of Paul Kelly, Bic Runga and REM, on songwriting, and his travel and music features have appeared in publications such as Variety (US), The Australian, Sydney Morning Herald, and Songsmith. This is his 19th non-fiction book. The Telegraph (UK) described him as ‘The Perfect Storyteller!’
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