Don't Thank Me, Spank Me! at the Curtin Hotel
23 May 2026 in Melbourne, supported by Pollyman and Snake Thighs.
We return to the Curtin, the site of many a good show. I've been intrigued by Don't Thank Me, Spank Me! (DTMSM) for a while now, not only for their unrelentingly silly band name. Their song Habitual was also on high rotation on one particular PBS radio show and I guess it hooked me.
I also thought their ultrafeminine stylings and matching Fenders might appeal to my top-shelf buddy Bec, so I asked if she wanted to come along. Bec was on board and we rounded up to make a party of four.
The first band Snake Thighs I really liked. It's hard to ever argue against a saxophone, for a start. They're a bit B-52s and a bit Essential Logic.
Next up was Pollyman, a five-piece rock 'n' roll outfit with lots of stagecraft of the Elvisesque "thankyouverymuch" kind. They were very good at what they do, but I must be honest and say that this type of music does not do much for me.
Not to worry. The headliners came on and things were looking up. DTMSM sing songs about pashing (or not pashing if it's parking inspectors), spunkrats and op-shopping. They harmonise beautifully when they want to and wield their axes well. My favourite song (I don't know the name) recounted the dizzying experience of finding something at the op shop with a high quality YKK zip. That shit will last.
A DTMSM show is like re-experiencing being a girl in the 90s except it's not horrible and actually fun. I decided that the position I'm going to take on this band is that they allow me to experience femininity at a safe distance. I thank them for that. Anyway their show was super fun and I highly recommend them.
And then as a special bonus on the way home: rail replacement buses!
