Artist of the Week 02/28/11 - The Mekons

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beantownbubba
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Artist of the Week 02/28/11 - The Mekons

Post by beantownbubba »

The Mekons may be the English DBT. Sadly overlooked on both sides of the ocean (the band’s first album even had a picture of the wrong band on the back cover!), at least in England they have achieved “cult band plus” status similar to DBT in the US, with a rabid following convinced of the band’s greatness. Both bands have been at it for a long time (30 years for the Mekons!) and while The Mekons recorded output isn’t quite as consistent as DBT’s, they’ve also been at it longer and have made about the same number of inarguably top shelf albums.

Novelist Jonathan Frantzen’s description of The Mekons might be equally applicable to DBT: “If you feel like the inheritor of a very embattled critical stance while the rest of the world is going over to the dark side, they’re the band for you. Not because they give you hope of ever winning the battle but they teach you how to be gracious and amusing losers.” Actually, no, that sounds good but that’s not really who the Truckers are, but right up to that last phrase, it tracks pretty well :)

The Mekons started out as a punk band out of the same lefty punk/post-punk British university scene that produced Gang of Four, complete with amateurish playing and production along w/ an anticipated shelf life measured in days or months, yet have outlasted virtually all their peers, surviving an ever-shifting line-up and changing musical fashions, learning to play their instruments along the way and ultimately producing a significant, lasting body of music. And speaking of instruments, no standard guitar/bass/drums for these guys: Pretty much anything might pop up in a given track, including violin, harp and accordion. Talking about the band and the individual members, Greil Marcus quoted a line about them that might or might not be true but ought to be: “Those who didn’t know how to play [their instruments] tried to learn and those who did tried to forget…talk about capturing the punk ethos.”

The band has morphed through so many styles and lineups it’s hard to generalize about much of anything beyond the constant innovation, change and the surprisingly consistent quality they maintained despite the many upheavals they experienced over the years. The constants have been Jon Langford and Tom Greenhalgh if that means anything to you (it doesn’t to me). And as novelist Jonathan Frantzen describes it, The Mekons “consistently resolved what ought to have been despair and rage into humor without losing the despair, without losing the rage.”

I don’t know all of the music the band has released over 30 years so I’m gonna talk about what I know best, in chronological order. These 4 albums are my (pretty uncontroversial, I think) choices for the band’s best, and alone surely qualify the band for the very highest reaches of the “all-time underrated” list. But their first single also deserves mention: “Never Been In A Riot,” is classic, DIY play it loud and nobody will know we can’t play punk and is of all things, an “answer song” to the Clash’s “White Riot.” Hey, if you’re gonna aim, you might as well aim high, right?



According to Rolling Stone, the Mekons invented alt-country with Fear and Whiskey. I don’t know about that, but to me it’s a worthy album because of its anarchic mishmash of styles, approaches and instrumentation, which certainly includes country but is not limited to that, not by a long shot. It’s got defiant yet humorous lefty politics celebrating the individual in a corporate, conformist age (the liner notes include a credit for “renegade Marxist analysis”), punk, whiskey soaked sloppiness, a dash of reggae, psychedelia (‘Psycho Cupid” is one of the more strangely compelling tracks you’re likely to hear – even if you find it grating, you’ll still listen) and a strongly beating heart. To the band’s credit, there’s none of that “rockers condescendingly dabbling in country” thing going on in the country-ish tracks and touches (e.g. their fine cover of “Lost Highway”). As writer and cultural critic Luc Sante says: “The Mekons’ approach to country was different [than other rockers and country rockers like Gram Parsons]…so rough…so true to the spirit…” On the other hand, my favorite tracks, “Hard to Be Human Again” and “Trouble Down South” are not country at all – the former is a punkish tune dominated by drums and rhythm guitar (but w/ a bluesy harp intro) while the latter is, I don’t know, experimental? – the notes describe its origins as a “duet for synthesizer and robot.”

Lost Highway:


Trouble Down South:


Hard to Be Human Again:


By the time they released The Mekons Rock n Roll, the band’s musicianship had grown considerably, as it continued to do on later albums, increasing the professionalism and musicality of the band’s sound while they retained that essential punk feel, energy, defiance and humor, no easy trick to pull off. Members of the band around this time included drummer Steve Goulding of the Rumour and multi-instrumentalist Lu Edmonds of PiL and The Damned.

To these ears, The Mekons Rock n’ Roll is the band’s highpoint. As the title suggests, it’s a rock album, sounding nothing like F&W, but maintaining the band’s commitment to their “ragged but right” and “quirky is the new straitlaced” approach. “Memphis, Egypt” starts things off in 5th gear, and the band floors it from there. Somewhere between punk and hard rock with an almost power pop-y feel to the hooky bits, “Memphis, Egypt” is musically and vocally captivating well before you have any idea what it’s about (and I’m not sure I do yet). The overriding theme may be about rock n roll as capitalism, which is a bad thing, but what the hell, socialism sucks too. Or not.

Then comes “Club Mekon,” with its lead, ahem, violin (though not the slightest bit country) and, this time, female lead vocals (Sally Timms). The first verse captures your attention immediately:

When I was just 17
Sex no longer held a mystery
I saw it as a commodity
To be bought and sold, like rock n roll

It’s hard to express the power of these words as sung by Ms. Timms. It encapsulates the story of a subculture whose story continues to be told in several of the album’s songs, including the balance of this track. Compelling, transfixing, beautiful and harsh, even heartbreaking. The real deal. And oh, that violin! It insinuates its way into your brain and insists that you LISTEN!! Bonnie Prince Billy covered this tune live.

“Only Darkness Has the Power” follows with more rock guitar and the violin adding a hint of country back in the mix. I assume that this one is a big sing along at the band’s live performances, it’s sort of anthemic.

The album careens along in that way, mixing musical styles, personal and political concerns, and male and female vocals and perspectives, held together by a commitment to rock n roll, truth telling, humor derived from pain and despair and that rare but wonderful line-walking between professionalism and sloppiness that has to be felt and can’t be manufactured. The slow ones, like “Learning to Live on Your Own” and “Cocaine Lil” manage to be both catchy and impossibly and eerily haunting. Cocaine Lil might or might not be the same protagonist as in “Memphis, Egypt,” but they certainly know each other.

Memphis, Egypt:


Club Mekon:


Only Darkness Has the Power:


The Curse of the Mekons isn’t quite as consistently excellent as RnR, but it’s close. It doesn’t rock nearly as hard as RnR, but it isn’t as country as F&W either; “eclectic” is about the best I can do. Well over a dozen musicians, including an occasional horn section, appear here and there. The songs are somewhat in the RnR vein thematically, with equally arresting vocal performances.

“Magic, fear and superstition, this is the curse of the Mekons” the first song, “The Curse” begins, and the album follows that sort of winding path, sometimes veering into the mystical or at least inexplicable as it explores musical styles as diverse as country and reggae and subjects ranging from the band itself to their usual political musings and character “studies.” One track is entitled “Sorcerer,” an appropriately mysterious or mystical sounding tune, and one of the album’s best.

Another track, “Brutal,” is the more or less historically accurate (as far as I can tell) story of the British opium trade in China and Britain’s continuing colonial and imperial misadventures and is hauntingly sung w/ beautiful double tracked vocals and musical touches from all sorts of uncommon (on rock albums anyway) instruments creating an appropriately “druggy haze.”

[Sorry, couldn't find anything from this album on youtube]

Depending on one’s point of view, I Love Mekons either continues the band’s evolution as a “rock band” without qualifiers or asterisks, or represents a breather from their constantly evolving experimentation with different styles and genres, because it’s pretty much a straight ahead rock record, although eclectic instrumental touches do turn up now & again. Again, the title gets it right, because this album is a collection of songs about love. Sort of. Maybe. As only the Mekons can approach the subject, which is to say from many different, odd angles, and always with that anger fueled humor. “Millionaire” starts things off in rocking fashion with a ditty about a woman feeling somewhat ambivalent about the commercial aspects of her relationship with a wealthy man. I think. Hey, at least the champagne was never cheap, and she could always hire someone to drink hers for her :) Other favorite cuts: “Dear Sausage” (“She wears 2 faces, the savage and serene… I was wearing 2 faces the privileged and the doomed”), "St Valentine’s Day" (not much like DBT’s "February 14," but they do share a disdain for Hallmark-like sentiment) and “Point of No Return” a guitar based rocker celebrating the joys of incendiary lust.

Millionaire:


Point of No Return


Dear Sausage:


Like their colleagues, Gang of Four, The Mekons are rumored to be releasing a new album soon (already in the can but their label folded) and intend to tour in 2011.

The Mekons sound nothing like DBT, but they still seem like a good match for DBT fans: The country punk influence, the rockin’ out, the alcohol fueled edginess or wildness, the focus on real people, real lives and the individual in the battle between the individual and the state should make The Mekons the DBT fan’s English punk band of choice. Here's what one fan had to say about The Mekons on youtube; you can substitute "DBT" for "Mekons" if you like: "More than any band that came out of late-'70s England, the Mekons ... have perhaps the most devoted fans of any band even remotely connected to punk rock. And why not? Over the course of several decades, this band, with an ever-shifting lineup (only Jon Langford and Tom Greenhalgh remain from the original lineup), produced some of the best rock & roll on the planet, be it amateurish rock-noise, cool synth-driven pop, guitar rave-ups, or postmodern country & western, the Mekons have done it all and done it with style, grace, and a ribald sense of humor."
What used to be is gone and what ought to be ought not to be so hard

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scotto
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Re: Artist of the Week 02/28/11 - The Mekons

Post by scotto »

Good stuff, Bean.
The Mekons are indeed an under-appreciated group and one that most 3DD'ers would dig.
Never got to see 'em, but we have seen Sally Timms and a couple of John Langford side projects. (And one reason I knew me 'n' the future Ms. would one day wed was when I first flipped through her albums and saw Fear and Whiskey and Honky Tonkin'.)
Another fine addition to the AOTW tradition.

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3milelake
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Re: Artist of the Week 02/28/11 - The Mekons

Post by 3milelake »

Nice work btb....I've only ever scratched the surface, although I'm a bit better versed in John Langford. Great contribution...

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dime in the gutter
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Re: Artist of the Week 02/28/11 - The Mekons

Post by dime in the gutter »

by every account (including btb's fine prose) describing these guys, they should be at ground zero in my wheelhouse. i have had fear and whiskey saved at emusic for a year based on your hawking many moons ago.

i will jump in based on your excellent write up, btb.

should be a good test for my still developing authenticity theory.

Bill in CT
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Re: Artist of the Week 02/28/11 - The Mekons

Post by Bill in CT »

Excellent job, beantownbubba! I think The Mekons are a great band. I saw them twice, just a few months apart. In the fall of 1992, they headlined a bill in NYC that also included American Music Club and Black 47. They had the first Sally Timms solo album at the merch table...but only on cassette. I had been unable to find it so picked up a copy. A few months later, my friend Jason and I went to see The Mekons in CT. As it was a small venue (an art gallery called the Chicken Coop), I brought some CD booklets & aforementioned cassette in hopes of meeting the band & getting stuff signed. We got there early & were directed to the band's preshow space. They were all friendly & gladly agreed to sign for us. I hand the cassette to Sally Timms who gives it the once-over and asks, "Where did you get this?" As I'm telling her I got it in NYC a few months prior, she's passing it around to her bandmates. Turns out it's a pirated copy! She signed it anyway. Jason was a big fan of Sisters of Mercy so he talked about the band with Jon Langford (who had been in said band for about 5 minutes many years before). During the set, Langford dedicated a song to him, saying "this is for the young man who asked me about Sisters of Mercy."
It's been a long time since that night...high time I saw The Mekons again...I'll keep an eye open for tourdates.
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The sooner you'll know that you're dreaming

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one belt loop
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Re: Artist of the Week 02/28/11 - The Mekons

Post by one belt loop »

Damn, that's a lotta words.
Matt playing like an evil motherfucker w/ rhythm with a capital MPLAEMWR.

- bubba

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4sooner
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Re: Artist of the Week 02/28/11 - The Mekons

Post by 4sooner »

Great writeup as usual Btb. You turned me on to these guys some time ago, but i'm still not sure if I like F&W or R&R better. Guess it depends on which day I listen to them. They sound nothing alike, really, but both top shelf.
Fine job.

beantownbubba
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Re: Artist of the Week 02/28/11 - The Mekons

Post by beantownbubba »

one belt loop wrote:Damn, that's a lotta words.


There was a sale at the letter store. Plus i had a coupon, too.
What used to be is gone and what ought to be ought not to be so hard

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dee dee
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Re: Artist of the Week 02/28/11 - The Mekons

Post by dee dee »

Fear and Whiskey is one of the best albums I had never heard (until the last six months or so). Need to check out more. Thanks for the excellent primer btb.

ChicoHarris
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Re: Artist of the Week 02/28/11 - The Mekons

Post by ChicoHarris »

Great, great stuff, beantown.
I love the Mekons.

p.s. the game between the mighty NEW YORK YANKEES and he lowly boston red sox is starting now. ESPN2.

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The Black Canary
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Re: Artist of the Week 02/28/11 - The Mekons

Post by The Black Canary »

ChicoHarris wrote:Great, great stuff, beantown.
Ditto, I do hear a bit of Scottish Highlander in these tunes!!!

p.s. the game between the mighty NEW YORK YANKEES and he lowly boston red sox is starting now. ESPN2.


Hey Chico, why don't you kiss my Boston RedSox loving azz!!!! You yankee suckbag!!!! :D :D ;) ;)
so what is it like living with your mommy again BWAHAHAHAHAH

ChicoHarris
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Re: Artist of the Week 02/28/11 - The Mekons

Post by ChicoHarris »

The Black Canary wrote:
ChicoHarris wrote:Great, great stuff, beantown.
Ditto, I do hear a bit of Scottish Highlander in these tunes!!!

p.s. the game between the mighty NEW YORK YANKEES and he lowly boston red sox is starting now. ESPN2.


Hey Chico, why don't you kiss my Boston RedSox loving azz!!!! You yankee suckbag!!!! :D :D ;) ;)


The game between the mighty NEW YORK YANKEES and the B.O. (Baltimore Orioles) just started.

ChicoHarris
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Re: Artist of the Week 02/28/11 - The Mekons

Post by ChicoHarris »

The Black Canary wrote:
ChicoHarris wrote:Great, great stuff, beantown.
Ditto, I do hear a bit of Scottish Highlander in these tunes!!!

p.s. the game between the mighty NEW YORK YANKEES and he lowly boston red sox is starting now. ESPN2.


Hey Chico, why don't you kiss my Boston RedSox loving azz!!!! You yankee suckbag!!!! :D :D ;) ;)


Oh, and I've seen your picture! Yore request might be fun!

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tinnitus photography
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Re: Artist of the Week 02/28/11 - The Mekons

Post by tinnitus photography »

the Mekons are a good, uneven band. and i mean that in the best way possible.

i've only seen them once, and that was a long time ago...they had Man or Astro-man? opening, which was a strange pairing.

beantownbubba
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Re: Artist of the Week 02/28/11 - The Mekons

Post by beantownbubba »

http://www.stereogum.com/1711788/the-10 ... est-songs/

Needless to say, my list would be different but these are all excellent choices and I probably agree w/ #1 (would actually have to make a list to be sure). But check out the commentary that precedes the list. Excessively "fan-y" but still on target. If you're still not familiar w/ the mekons, it's way past time.
What used to be is gone and what ought to be ought not to be so hard

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Re: Artist of the Week 02/28/11 - The Mekons

Post by Smitty »

beantownbubba wrote: As writer and cultural critic Luc Sante says: “The Mekons’ approach to country was different [than other rockers and country rockers like Gram Parsons]…so rough…so true to the spirit…”
Not sure if I agree with this? Not that it's some complex quote, but maybe I'm misunderstanding what Sante was getting at? Explain.
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