Live It Up: The Mental As Anything Story

 

Liam Hair, Host of The Book of Genesis and on SYN FM, unpacks the quirky, fun documentary about one of Australia’s most beloved acts of the late 1970s/1980s

 

 

For 50 years the music of Sydney-based band Mental As Anything has resonated with fans not only across Australia. Thanks to movies back in the day like Paul Hogan’s Crocodile Dundee from 1986, the band got a spotlight on the international stage and saw their single from the “Fundamental” album “Live It Up” chart across the globe.This scored them a spot on British Music Television programme “Top Of The Pops” in 1987. In more recent times, however, Matthew Walker’s film starts viewers off in the UK in 2020, at a soccer match where we see Live It Up ring out across a match with fans cheering and chanting. Itsiconic lyrics fill the Glasgow Rangers game. The song has gained traction once again in Glasgow as a result of the film, and has given the band a #1 in that country. 

 

Mental as Anything was a part of everyday suburban life for kids of that generation who were watching Countdown on Sundays. They sang unforgettable songs that made memories passed down through family lineages to future generations of Mentals fans. This film is a celebration of the intergenerational Australian magic of The Mentals, and their extraordinary story. It offers glimpses of a band with a core team of 5 having fun as they created timeless songs - from their first big songs like “The Nips Are Getting Bigger” to “If You Leave Me, Can I Come Too."

 

 

The film features legends from the music industry in Australia and New Zealand, such as Colin Hay from Men a Work, who toured America and Canada in 1982. Hay explains why The Mentals were chosen to open for them, saying they represented Australia with their down-to-earth lyrics. This is clearly showcased in footage of them warming up the crowd in their iconic style, particularly evident before they launch into "Let’s Cook" from the album “Cats and Dogs,” released in 1981. Their unique on-stage presence is showcased through their humorous on stage banter from Martin Plaza to Greedy Smith - whether it be talking about the crowd, current events happening in the local town or even simply thanking the crowd for being the opening act for Men At Work.

 

You’ll also hear from family members of the band, including Claudia O’Doherty, Reg’s daughter, who shares memories of growing up alongside her father and his friends, experiencing life off the road and between shows. These cherished memories have remained with her. Additionally, Stuart Smith discusses the late Greedy, who passed away in 2019 due to heart problems, and his pivotal and memorable involvement with the band. 

 

Jane Gazzo, the current SYN FM Station Manager and an industry legend, provides insight into the sound of the 1980s and her time on Triple J in the 1990s, during which the band experienced a surge in popularity. This was especially evident with the release of the 1994/1995 EP “Bicycle,” which propelled the band into heavy rotation, with its lead single “Mr. Natural” reaching a respectable #30 on the ARIA charts. 

 

As the surviving members of the O’Doherty Brothers, David Twohill and Martin Plaza, reflect on their experiences with the band and reminisce about their impressive 50-year music history, I, as a viewer, felt connected to a long lineage of rich Australian music history

 

So, why not immerse yourself in the story of Mental as Anything?