Mentals: From Free Beer To Free Spirits

THERE is an urban myth about a group of art students who passed themselves off as a band to con a publican into giving them a gig in exchange for free beer.

That group came to be known as Mental as Anything .

More than two decades later they are still touring with their brand of garage pop.

Known for songs such as Live it Up , The Nips are Getting Bigger (a self-explanatory single to reflect their success) and If You Leave Me Can I Come Too? , the Mentals are returning to Newcastle for a show at the Belmont 16ft Sailing Club .

The group have released 14 albums.

Their latest album Plucked is part of the Liberation Acoustic Blue Series .

It has 14 of the band's greatest hits performed on acoustic instruments including the ukulele, banjo, guitar, harmonica and xylophone.

They will perform at the club on Saturday from 8.30pm. Tickets are $15.