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AVAILABLE
1 NOV '23 IN PAPERBACK, eBOOK and AUDIOBOOK.
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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. 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, Swanee, Ross Wilson, and Wreckless Eric — in this access-all-areas official biography.

The Riotous Rollercoaster Ride of one of Australia's Greatest Bands. 1976-2019.

Kirk Pengilly, INXS

“Love it!!! Brought up lots of memories. Thoroughly enjoyable."

Jane Gazzo, broadcaster

“Takes us behind the showbiz curtain.

A deep-dive beyond the colourful personalities. Had me glued to every page.”

Anthony Field,

The Wiggles

"This book gives us a big gulp of one of Australia's most uniquely talented and popular bands."

Dave Warner,

From the Suburbs

"I loved the Mentals and I love this book. Captures the alchemy that saw Australian bands flourish from the arid plains of our suburban lives."

Summer - Set list from 1983.png

Listen as You Read: Spotify Playlists

The book contains four setlists from different years of the band's history, and also four playlists that include all the songs mentioned in the book, divided into the four parts of the book. Deep dive into the Mentals' music catalog here ...

1977-78 Song List

Pt 1: Spring Playlist

Pt 2: Summer Playlist

Pt 3: Autumn Playlist

Pt 4: Winter Playlist

Bonus Galleries: Pics We Couldn't Fit into the Book

Stewart and Andy Smith (courtesy Stew Smith)

Stewart and Andy Smith (courtesy Stew Smith)

Margie, Andy and Stew Smith grew up in Roseville (courtesy Stew Smith)

Margie, Andy and Stew Smith grew up in Roseville (courtesy Stew Smith)

Screenshot 2023-08-19 at 12.53_edited

Screenshot 2023-08-19 at 12.53_edited

Stewart and Andy Smith (courtesy Stew Smith)

Stewart and Andy Smith (courtesy Stew Smith)

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Pre-band

Kristin and Martin Murphy, early days at art school (Courtesy of Kristin Coburn) [pity about the che

Kristin and Martin Murphy, early days at art school (Courtesy of Kristin Coburn) [pity about the che

Stew, Margie, Andy Smith at home (courtesy Stew Smith)

Stew, Margie, Andy Smith at home (courtesy Stew Smith)

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Kristin and Martin Murphy, early days at art school (Courtesy of Kristin Coburn) [pity about the che

Kristin and Martin Murphy, early days at art school (Courtesy of Kristin Coburn) [pity about the che

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1970s

Reg with Martina and 4-month-old Darcy, 1980.

Reg with Martina and 4-month-old Darcy, 1980.

(Courtesy of Reg Mombassa)

1980 gig at the Manly Vale Hotel.

1980 gig at the Manly Vale Hotel.

(Photo: Roadrunner)

Tents at Narara '84. The author is camping in there somewhere.

Tents at Narara '84. The author is camping in there somewhere.

(Photo: Gerrit Fokkema)

Reg with Martina and 4-month-old Darcy, 1980.

Reg with Martina and 4-month-old Darcy, 1980.

(Courtesy of Reg Mombassa)

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1980-84

1985 publicity shot

1985 publicity shot

Tathra Hotel - Mentals' favourite gig over the years

Tathra Hotel - Mentals' favourite gig over the years

(Photo courtesy Val and Frog Little)

Dave 'n Sue's wedding, with Amber. 1989

Dave 'n Sue's wedding, with Amber. 1989

(Photo: Sue Landell-Jones)

1985 publicity shot

1985 publicity shot

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1985-89

Peter and Marianne at her show, Seymour Centre, 1996.

Peter and Marianne at her show, Seymour Centre, 1996.

(Photo: courtesy Peter O'Doherty)

The Mentals back Tiny Tim at Baz Luhrmann's house, mid-90s.

The Mentals back Tiny Tim at Baz Luhrmann's house, mid-90s.

(Photo courtesy Reg Mombassa)

Proud Dad, Greedy with Harvey.

Proud Dad, Greedy with Harvey.

(Photo: Facebook/Greedy Smith)

Peter and Marianne at her show, Seymour Centre, 1996.

Peter and Marianne at her show, Seymour Centre, 1996.

(Photo: courtesy Peter O'Doherty)

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1990s

VN signed poster

VN signed poster

2003 ish - Frog martin Greed Tathra c Val

2003 ish - Frog martin Greed Tathra c Val

VN signed poster

VN signed poster

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2000s

2010 cast and crew for Wiggles "Let's Cook" video.

2010 cast and crew for Wiggles "Let's Cook" video.

(Photo courtesy Paul Field)

2010: working out Let's Cook with Wiggles.

2010: working out Let's Cook with Wiggles.

(Photo courtesy Paul Field)

December 2020: iTunes #1 in the UK!!!

December 2020: iTunes #1 in the UK!!!

(Photo: Stuart Lloyd)

2010 cast and crew for Wiggles "Let's Cook" video.

2010 cast and crew for Wiggles "Let's Cook" video.

(Photo courtesy Paul Field)

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2010s

The Mentals did a lot of gigs with Wasted Days in 1976 and 1977. Poster by Reg, still at student at

The Mentals did a lot of gigs with Wasted Days in 1976 and 1977. Poster by Reg, still at student at

May 1978 gig. (Courtesy Paul Dempsey)

May 1978 gig. (Courtesy Paul Dempsey)

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The Mentals did a lot of gigs with Wasted Days in 1976 and 1977. Poster by Reg, still at student at

The Mentals did a lot of gigs with Wasted Days in 1976 and 1977. Poster by Reg, still at student at

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Posters &
Artwork

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Stu Reg and Pete 2023

Stu Reg and Pete 2023

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Behind the
Scenes: Making
this Book.

Get involved, people!
Here's how you can stay in touch with The Mentals' music and more ...

See other books by Stuart Lloyd here.
Leave reviews for the book on Amazon here and Goodreads here.
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