Melbourne lads The Bennies are presently making their way across the country representing Australian punk for Soundwave Festival but found a few moments this morning to stop by triple j and perform an epic cover of TISM‘s (yes, TISM!), (He’ll Never Be An) Ol’ Man River for triple j’s Like A Version.
The guys explained that one of the members of TISM had actually been their music teacher in high school. The Melbourne champs put their distinctive ska-punk rock spin on what is probably TISM’s best known hit, even paying homage to the band by covering their faces with Smith Street Band beanies and breaking it down in the middle with a bit of Greg! The Stop Sign.
TISM have returned to the public consciousness of late, thanks to a very popular petition appealing for the band to reform and represent Australia at Eurovision this year. For the record, TISM frontman Humphrey B. Flaubert (real name Damian Cowell) said he’ll do it, but for a price.
While in the studio, The Bennies also performed a synth-laded version of their original track Heavy Disco, drawing inspiration on another band’s cover of their track. Meta.
The Bennies will appear at this weekend’s Soundwave Festivals in Sydney and Brisbane and will soon kick off a national jaunt of their own on their Party Whirlwind Tour. See those dates and the two performances below.
Watch: The Bennies – (He’ll Never Be An) Ol’ Man River (Live For triple j’s Like A Version)
Watch: The Bennies – Heavy Disco (Live for triple j’s Like A Version)
The Bennies Party Whirlwind Tour Dates
Tickets on sale now
Thursday, 12th March 2015
Karova Lounge, Ballarat
Tickets: The Bennies
Friday, 13th March 2015
The Brisbane Hotel, Hobart
Tickets: The Bennies
Saturday, 14th March 2015
Crowbar, Brisbane
Tickets: The Bennies
Sunday, 15th March 2015 – ALL AGES
Time Machine, Nambour
Tickets: The Bennies
Thursday, 19th March 2015
Enigma, Adelaide
Tickets: The Bennies
Friday, 20th March 2015
Factory Floor, Sydney
Tickets: The Bennies
Saturday, 21st March 2015
Northcote Social Club, Melbourne
Tickets: The Bennies
Sunday, 22nd March 2015 – ALL AGES
Wrangler Studios, Melbourne
Tickets: The Bennies
Friday, 27th March 2015
Prince Of Wales, Bunbury
Tickets: The Bennies
Saturday, 28th March 2015
Amplifier, Perth
Tickets: The Bennies
