OPO: Mekons

Where Were You: 26
Chivalry: 13
Last Dance: 12
Hard To Be Human Again: 9
Trimdon Grange Explosion: 8
Snow: 8
Memphis Egypt: 7
The Building: 6
Never Been In A Riot: 5
Ghosts of American Astronauts: 4
I Am Crazy: 4
Learning To Live On Your Own 4
Orpheus: 4
Brutal: 4
The Curse: 4
Millionaire: 3
Hole in the ground 2
Fight The Cuts: 2
Dan Dare: 2
If They Hang You: 2
Trouble Down South: 2
Letter’s In The Post: 2
Not A Bitter Man: 2
Darkness and Doubt: 2
Chop That Child In Half: 2
Last Night On Earth: 1
King Arthur: 2
Big Zombie: 1
Hello Cruel World: 1
Rescue Mission: 1
Garage D’or: 1
Psycho Cupid: 1
I’ll Have To Dance Then On My Own: 1
Only You And Your Ghost Will Know: 1
Blow Your Tuneless Trumpet: 1
Funeral: 1
Revenge: 1
Oblivion: 1
Fantastic Voyage: 1

Obvious, but come on.

Why no love?

1. Lost Highway - 625
2. Where Were You - 583
3. Chivalry - 313
4. Hard to Be Human Again - 225
5. Last Dance - 206
6. Darkness and Doubt - 189
7. Country - 184
8. Flitcraft - 170
9. Club Mekon - 167
10. Dancing in the Head - 166

(ie., "Fear and Whiskey" is far and away the most popular album among this group of youngersters.)

Documentary is on:

“Revenge of the Mekons” Documentary Reaches
And Exceeds Kickstarter Campaign Goal

After an outpouring of support from around the world, the Kickstarter campaign for the forthcoming documentary film “Revenge of the Mekons” has concluded. Not only did the project meet its initial goal of $20,000, but exceeded it by a staggering $15,000! The film will now be completed and see release in the near future thanks to the help of its 301 backers.

With funding now an overwhelming success, rewards for the film are now guaranteed. Rewards ranged from CDs from the Mekons extensive catalog to dinner with the band. Two fans even pledged $5,000 and will receive Executive Producer credits and tickets to the film’s world premiere. Some famous fans of the band have also supported the documentary, including SNL’s Fred Armison, Hugo Burnham of Gang of Four, former REM manager Jefferson Holt and author /comedian John Hodgman.

“Revenge of the Mekons” is directed by award-winning documentary filmmaker Joe Angio, who also directed "More than a Game," and "How to Eat Your Watermelon in White Company (and Enjoy It)." According to Angio, the successful campaign would not have been possible without the great support from the Mekons themselves. Jon Langford said that the Kickstarter campaign “really energized” the band and reaffirmed why the Mekons should keep doing what they do so well.

Trouble Down South is about to drive me to tears.
The backing vocals are soo gorgeous.
Fear and Whiskey friday.

I've been loving "Myth" from Journey to the End of the Night lately. The whole album has such a great, bleary-eyed, defeated, 4 AM sort of atmosphere.

Yeah, that one, "OOOH" and "Natural" are downright post-apocalyptic in their sadness.

Earlier last month, Mekons announced their return with the band's 26th record, Ancient & Modern, which will be released on September 27th on the band’s own, newly reformed Sin Record Label. The band are taking their new (and old) songs on the road, and have divided up their shows, billing the performances as “A quiet night in with the acoustic MEKONS" or "A wild night out with the electrified MEKONS".

I really like the new song on first listen, nice to hear them sounding more charged-up.

Don't get *too* excited. The new album is mostly mellow - only a couple of rockers - though of course, still Mekons, still a bit weird and still good.

That's too bad. US tourdate list is pretty short so far, but it says they're gonna addd more.

Plus you've got to figure there'll be more shows when the movie comes out.

divided up their shows, billing the performances as “A quiet night in with the acoustic MEKONS" or "A wild night out with the electrified MEKONS".

Where was this from, and have they announced which of the announced shows are which category?

never mind, found it, and they have:

http://www.jambase.com/Articles/Story.aspx?storyID=50641

Just purchased a&m (heh), anyone else? Seeing em in Brooklyn Friday.

Seeing them tonight. If Evanston wasn't a pain in the ass, I would have seen them last night, too. Though acoustic Mekons shows can be a mess (or messier).

Can't make the Sat night acoustic show here, maybe they'll show up at Occupy Wall St. (who?)

In Arlington VA at Iota outside W. DC tonight Thursday for an acoustic gig. I might skip it and go to a Latin Colombian thing instead (love the Mekons live though; it's a tough call)

did you make it? shoulda! mekons live is a greatthing

taking my cue from D Wolk:

Mekons shows are heavily populated by grouchy old guys.

PRESENT!

http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/reviews/albums/15869-mekons-ancient-modern-1911-2011/

x-post -I did the Colombian (Pernett) thing instead. Have seen the Mekons a number of times plus a great, tiny room Sally Timms gig.

They were not only totally together in Chicago (not surprisingly), but they were even funnier than I've ever seen them before. Literally tears in my eyes, I was laughing so hard. Totally ridiculous.

apparently there was a free show in Philly today at noon.

Hear the band play live from WXPN in Philadelphia on Friday at noon ...

http://www.npr.org/2011/10/07/141086823/live-today-the-mekons-in-concert

Oh, and - spoiler! - Tom now has a big mustache.

the longevity of this band warms my heart, and inspires me in my encroaching old age.

I saw the Mekons today at the free World Cafe Live show in Philadelphia. Of course they were wonderful, and the new songs sounded very fine. After the broadcast they played a few more, including Orpheus and Hard To Be Human Again. I was able to tell Tom Greenhalgh that I would buy his solo album if he ever made one, and Lu Edmonds promised it would happen if I could come up with the cost of 10,000 copies.

Orpheus is such an awesome deep cut.

Good show in Brooklyn w/ all the 1985-89 hits at the end. Timms called a do-over in the middle of "Learning to Loive on Your Own" bcz her voice was going. Sounds like Langford is going to OWallSt tomorrow. I think Christgau was standing next to me.

Tom usta look like Artaud, now he's getting near to Terry-Thomas.

also I met da croupier

That WXPN NPR radio gig sounds good

Seeing the Mekons/Freakwater supergroup next week, I think. Calling themselves Freakons, which is awesome. Also, Mekons doc is apparently locked and about to go on the circuit. And finally:

https://scontent-b-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc3/q74/s720x720/1230063_210296325797656_1944161666_n.jpg

Thanks

"organisers"

obviously outside agitators!

I think they're in Canada?

well, that doesn't make sense, everyone knows it is a socialist paradise

documentary website hasn't been updated

It's a joke flyer, Morbs! "They will try and force: higher wages, workplace safety, paid holidays, sick leave , pensions and more DOWN YOUR THROATS! We wouldn't want that would we?"

Hi everyone, I've a few things to share.
Firsts, we've reached a significant milestone: "picture lock". What that means is the film is complete as far as editing, graphics and titles go. Hallelujah! Next up: heading into the studio for color correction and adding the end credit roll, and the sound mix. That should happen within the next few weeks. We need to finish quickly because…
I've accepted the invitations to three film festivals in November! I hate to be coy but I can't yet say which ones until the festivals are ready to make their official announcements. But you'll be the first to know as soon as I'm given the green light. Once again, Hallelujah!
Last, to help defray the cost of aforementioned color-correction and sound mix, I'm hosting a fundraising event in Chicago on Sunday, October 20. I'll send out details soon but if the event we had in NYC in April is any indication, it will be a fun event. Dogfish Head Brewery is on board as a sponsor. Some special guests will be on hand and I'll screen a 20-minute sneak peek of the film. Stay tuned.
That's it for now. As ever, thanks to all of you for your continued support of and interest in the project. It's been five-plus years, but i can finally say the finish line is in sight. (And this time I mean it!)
More soon.........Joe

I think he means Sun. October 22, btw, which is the same night as Freakons. Or maybe Friday Oct. 20. I'll check.

Oh, wait, October. Never mind. Freakons is 9/22.

I understood the flyer

I like that Fanglord is eating Smarties. Very European.

world premiere of film at DOC NYC in 3 weeks

http://www.docnyc.net/film/revenge-of-the-mekons/#.UmaqXvleaSo

Thanks! And now I see that this was added last month:

https://f4.bcbits.com/img/a0308921547_10.jpg

Jon Langford wants to share his Gubbins with the world - songs that fell between the cracks, tunes too exuberant and twisted to hang with the popular crowd, stuff he just forgot about and pleasantly surprised the old welsh bugger when he rediscovered them in the basement.
released October 6, 2023

how did I miss Existentialism?!? incredible album, with definite throwbacks to the post-punk sounds of the 2nd LP lo those many years ago

Not sure I ever listened to that one either. It's a live one, recorded in Brooklyn in 2015 I just read.

it's really good - I have almost all their albums, only missing ME now I think, plus that Mekons 77 thing, can't believe I missed this altho to be fair it's from 2016

I did not mention itt that I finally got to see them a second time - the first time was an off night in Portland OR in 1992. this time was a sold out show in Seattle in summer 2019, and they were everything I could have wanted and more. I also had too much to drink and got sick later, but thankfully I remember everything up to the encore, then it gets hazy

I recently watched the Revenge DVD documentary, and was struck (speaking of Mekons 77) how close they all still seemed to be, even the ones who left in the early 80s.