Mercs are thirsty for a big night at Ballina RSL

THIRSTY Merc is bringing its Electric Summer tour to the region with a show at Ballina RSL on December 28.

After a swathe of sold-out shows for the band’s 20th anniversary, the artists promise a setlist of hit songs and crowd singalongs with classics such as Someday Someday, 20 Good Reasons, Mousetrap Heart and The Good Life.

Lead Singer Rai Thistlethwayte said that, as a band, they felt fortunate and grateful.

“To be able to plug our instruments in, harness the electricity in the air and continue to perform for our legendary fans and listeners,” he said.

“We reckon the Aussie summer combined with great music is the most fun you can have on earth, and The Merc will be giving you everything we’ve got.”

Thirsty Merc was formed in 2022, and in 2003, the debut album sold over 250,000 albums, receiving extensive national airplay.

The band has toured consistently since the mid-2000s, and the smash hit In the Summertime remains the theme song for the perennially popular Bondi Rescue after being renewed for the show’s 18th season.

Three founding members, Matthew Baker, Karl Robertson, and Phil Stack had played together in Dubbo before forming in Sydney. The band’s name originated from Thistlethwayte’s 1979 gas-guzzling Mercedes-Benz 280SEL.

At the band’s height in 2006, Jet Magazine described the group’s sound as ‘being yourself’ and ‘being young and living in Australia’. The description holds today.

In 2008, Thistlethwayte told the SMH of his influences and that jazz had taught him about spontaneity.

“Central to jazz is improvisation. It’s also great to get that knowledge of theory,” he said.

In 2022, the album Celebration featured a Thirsty Merc spin on a collection of reimagined legendary Australian songs across the eras, including lead single Daryl Braithwaite’s hit, As the Days Go By.

The band plays the Ballina RSL from 7.30 pm. For information, visit ballinarsl.com.au/event/thirsty-merc/