TISM, formed in Melbourne, Australia on December 30, 1982, was an alternative rock band known for their dark humor. The initial lineup included Humphrey B. Flaubert (Damian Cowell), Jock Cheese (Jack Holt), and Eugene de la Hot-Croix Bun (Eugene Cester), soon joined by Ron Hitler-Barassi (Peter Minack) and Leak Van Vlalen (Sean Kelly). TISM released their debut single "Defecate on My Face" in 1986, followed by the mini-album Form and Meaning Reach Ultimate Communion. Their first radio-friendly single was "40 Years - Then Death", released in 1987. TISM's breakthrough came with their debut album Great Truckin' Songs of the Renaissance in 1988, which entered Australia’s mainstream top 50. They continued to release albums such as Hot Dogma (1990), and Machiavelli And The Four Seasons (1995). Machiavelli And The Four Seasons, supported by the singles "(He'll Never Be An) Ol' Man River" and "Greg! The Stop Sign!!", reached Number 10 on the Australian national charts, won Best Independent Release at the 1995 ARIA Music Awards, and was certified Gold in January 1996. TISM disbanded following their first live performance on December 6th, 1983, with every subsequent show considered a reunion concert. They split again in late 2004 after releasing their sixth album The White Albun. TISM reformed for live performances in June 2022 and released their seventh album Death to Art on October 15th, 2024 following a hiatus of nearly two decades.
