― latebloomer (latebloomer), Saturday, 28 January 2006 04:05 (eighteen years ago) link
― Dr. Joseph A. Ofalt, Saturday, 28 January 2006 04:27 (eighteen years ago) link
― Stewart Osborne (Stewart Osborne), Saturday, 28 January 2006 11:48 (eighteen years ago) link
― simon 803 (simon 803), Saturday, 28 January 2006 11:53 (eighteen years ago) link
― Harrison Barr (Petar), Saturday, 28 January 2006 17:31 (eighteen years ago) link
― Zwan (miccio), Saturday, 28 January 2006 17:41 (eighteen years ago) link
― Paul Eater (eater), Saturday, 28 January 2006 17:43 (eighteen years ago) link
― Jason Toon, Monday, 30 January 2006 21:46 (eighteen years ago) link
― The Man in the Iron-On Mask (noodle vague), Tuesday, 31 January 2006 00:29 (eighteen years ago) link
― naturemorte, Tuesday, 31 January 2006 01:36 (eighteen years ago) link
― These Robust Cookies (Robust Cookies), Tuesday, 31 January 2006 07:21 (eighteen years ago) link
― Nag! Nag! Nag! (Nag! Nag! Nag!), Tuesday, 31 January 2006 09:07 (eighteen years ago) link
― Tehrannosaurus HoBB (the pirate king), Tuesday, 31 January 2006 09:34 (eighteen years ago) link
Where Were You: 26 Chivalry: 13Last Dance: 12Hard To Be Human Again: 9Trimdon Grange Explosion: 8 Snow: 8Memphis Egypt: 7The Building: 6Never Been In A Riot: 5Ghosts of American Astronauts: 4I Am Crazy: 4Learning To Live On Your Own 4Orpheus: 4Brutal: 4The Curse: 4Millionaire: 3Hole in the ground 2 Fight The Cuts: 2Dan Dare: 2If They Hang You: 2Trouble Down South: 2Letter’s In The Post: 2Not A Bitter Man: 2Darkness and Doubt: 2Chop That Child In Half: 2Last Night On Earth: 1King Arthur: 2Big Zombie: 1Hello Cruel World: 1Rescue Mission: 1Garage D’or: 1Psycho Cupid: 1I’ll Have To Dance Then On My Own: 1Only You And Your Ghost Will Know: 1Blow Your Tuneless Trumpet: 1Funeral: 1Revenge: 1Oblivion: 1Fantastic Voyage: 1
― kornrulez6969 (TCBeing), Tuesday, 31 January 2006 15:09 (eighteen years ago) link
― NickB (NickB), Tuesday, 31 January 2006 15:14 (eighteen years ago) link
― Sterling Clover (s_clover), Tuesday, 31 January 2006 15:34 (eighteen years ago) link
― Alfred, Lord Sotosyn (Alfred Soto), Tuesday, 31 January 2006 16:04 (eighteen years ago) link
― Tehrannosaurus HoBB (the pirate king), Thursday, 2 February 2006 18:42 (eighteen years ago) link
Obvious, but come on.
― S- (sgh), Friday, 3 February 2006 02:07 (eighteen years ago) link
Why no love?
― Mitya (mitya), Friday, 3 February 2006 02:43 (eighteen years ago) link
1. Lost Highway - 6252. Where Were You - 5833. Chivalry - 3134. Hard to Be Human Again - 2255. Last Dance - 2066. Darkness and Doubt - 1897. Country - 1848. Flitcraft - 1709. Club Mekon - 16710. Dancing in the Head - 166
(ie., "Fear and Whiskey" is far and away the most popular album among this group of youngersters.)
― Mitya (mitya), Friday, 3 February 2006 02:51 (eighteen years ago) link
― The Vintner's Lipogram (OleM), Friday, 3 February 2006 12:10 (eighteen years ago) link
― Tracer Hand (tracerhand), Friday, 3 February 2006 20:22 (eighteen years ago) link
― sleeve, away, Saturday, 4 February 2006 05:16 (eighteen years ago) link
Documentary is on:
“Revenge of the Mekons” Documentary ReachesAnd Exceeds Kickstarter Campaign GoalAfter 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.
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.
― Ned Raggett, Friday, 17 December 2010 20:24 (thirteen years ago) link
Trouble Down South is about to drive me to tears.The backing vocals are soo gorgeous.Fear and Whiskey friday.
― Trip Maker, Friday, 18 February 2011 19:17 (thirteen years ago) link
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.
― clotpoll, Friday, 18 February 2011 19:44 (thirteen years ago) link
Yeah, that one, "OOOH" and "Natural" are downright post-apocalyptic in their sadness.
― Josh in Chicago, Friday, 18 February 2011 20:26 (thirteen years ago) link
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".
― curmudgeon, Thursday, 14 July 2011 18:29 (twelve years ago) link
I really like the new song on first listen, nice to hear them sounding more charged-up.
― you will know queer obama by his fruits (JoeStork), Friday, 15 July 2011 12:24 (twelve years ago) link
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.
― Josh in Chicago, Friday, 15 July 2011 12:29 (twelve years ago) link
That's too bad. US tourdate list is pretty short so far, but it says they're gonna addd more.
― curmudgeon, Friday, 15 July 2011 16:13 (twelve years ago) link
Plus you've got to figure there'll be more shows when the movie comes out.
― Josh in Chicago, Friday, 15 July 2011 16:15 (twelve years ago) link
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?
― you call it trollin' i call it steamrollin' (Dr Morbius), Friday, 22 July 2011 14:58 (twelve years ago) link
never mind, found it, and they have:
http://www.jambase.com/Articles/Story.aspx?storyID=50641
― you call it trollin' i call it steamrollin' (Dr Morbius), Friday, 22 July 2011 15:02 (twelve years ago) link
Just purchased a&m (heh), anyone else? Seeing em in Brooklyn Friday.
― incredibly middlebrow (Dr Morbius), Wednesday, 5 October 2011 19:21 (twelve years ago) link
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).
― Josh in Chicago, Wednesday, 5 October 2011 19:36 (twelve years ago) link
Can't make the Sat night acoustic show here, maybe they'll show up at Occupy Wall St. (who?)
― incredibly middlebrow (Dr Morbius), Wednesday, 5 October 2011 19:54 (twelve years ago) link
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)
― curmudgeon, Thursday, 6 October 2011 18:13 (twelve years ago) link
did you make it? shoulda! mekons live is a greatthing
― H in Addis, Friday, 7 October 2011 06:08 (twelve years ago) link
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/
― incredibly middlebrow (Dr Morbius), Friday, 7 October 2011 17:04 (twelve years ago) link
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.
― curmudgeon, Friday, 7 October 2011 17:14 (twelve years ago) link
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.
― Josh in Chicago, Friday, 7 October 2011 18:21 (twelve years ago) link
apparently there was a free show in Philly today at noon.
― incredibly middlebrow (Dr Morbius), Friday, 7 October 2011 18:34 (twelve years ago) link
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
― curmudgeon, Friday, 7 October 2011 19:00 (twelve years ago) link
Oh, and - spoiler! - Tom now has a big mustache.
― Josh in Chicago, Friday, 7 October 2011 19:08 (twelve years ago) link
the longevity of this band warms my heart, and inspires me in my encroaching old age.
― sleeve, Friday, 7 October 2011 20:18 (twelve years ago) link
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.
― Fruitless and Pansy Free (Dr. Joseph A. Ofalt), Friday, 7 October 2011 22:48 (twelve years ago) link
Orpheus is such an awesome deep cut.
― Josh in Chicago, Saturday, 8 October 2011 00:15 (twelve years ago) link
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.
― incredibly middlebrow (Dr Morbius), Saturday, 8 October 2011 06:34 (twelve years ago) link
They've been sharing a few pics of the recording sessions on Facebook
― curmudgeon, Friday, 2 September 2022 04:20 (one year ago) link
Maybe it's my non-audiophile old school Koss over-ear headphones, but I've found that listening to the Freakons on free version of YouTube Music while reading lyrics on Bandcamp to be the ideal experience. Words are imaginative enough, without getting(too) arty-gimmicky extending realism through good turns of phrase that streak the coal dust on faces passing through once again, as the compelling music and the people in it push against limits of their situation, which are also limits of the Freakons' basic take: once again, as usual, the miners get reduced, by sympathizers as well as their bosses, so that we get no sense of what made this way of life bearable, and for some, seemingly inevitable--even desirable, financially and otherwise, even while knowing the risks and odds involved----Steve Earle & The Dukes' Ghosts of West Virginia is the only album I know of that speaks to and of this complexity.But Freakons tunnels through it, for sure, with a tenacious vitality and recurring rowdiness. The women do most of the upfront vocal work, but Langford pitches in back there, and provides a very satisfying closer.
The Mekons’ Jon Langford & Sally Timms and Freakwater’s Janet Bean & Catherine Irwin are joined here by the stellar string and vocal harmonies of Jean Cook (Ida, Tara Jane O’Neil, Skull Orchard) and Anna Krippenstapel (The Other Years, Joan Shelley, Freakwater), along with special guest, the beloved guitar genius Jim Elkington (Jeff Tweedy, Richard Thompson, Eleventh Dream Day, Horse’s Ha, Skull Orchard, Freakwater, The Zincs).Belgian painter Jo Clauwaert created the album’s intricate gatefold cover. Images from song lyrics and related history emerge and recede again in this gorgeously illustrated artistic fever dream.
Belgian painter Jo Clauwaert created the album’s intricate gatefold cover. Images from song lyrics and related history emerge and recede again in this gorgeously illustrated artistic fever dream.
― dow, Tuesday, 10 January 2023 19:10 (one year ago) link
Thanks for the reminder. I need to listen to Freakons
― curmudgeon, Wednesday, 11 January 2023 17:48 (one year ago) link
Saw the Waco Brothers last night in Washington DC. Last show of a 6 night East coast tour. Langford sounded good, and was entertaining and funny with his between song chat. They did a fair amount of songs from their latest album ( and some of those I liked). They also covered Undertones “Teenage Kicks” and Bobby Fuller 4 ( done Clash like) “I Fought the Law” plus a Small Faces song
Langford is going to do some gigs with Will Oldham in the fall ( pr says it will be like a pandemic show they did together earlier)
― curmudgeon, Wednesday, 21 June 2023 20:47 (one year ago) link
Saw Langford tonight with Bonnie P Will Oldham. Good show although a bit too much cutting up and goofy sing alongs with audience. I liked when they did Mekons songs. Oldham was in good voice at times. Langford sang one song from the recent Jon Langford and the Men of Gwent album “Lost on Land and Sea”
― curmudgeon, Sunday, 19 November 2023 04:28 (seven months ago) link
Thanks, hadn't heard of that album!
― dow, Sunday, 19 November 2023 04:45 (seven months ago) link
I had not either. Langford was just over in Wales for a week publicizing it. No Mekons in that group, other than him.
― curmudgeon, Sunday, 19 November 2023 18:04 (seven months ago) link
https://jonlangfordthemenofgwent.bandcamp.com/album/lost-on-land-sea
The Bandcamp bio for Langford and Men of Gwent says the November 10th released album is the group's 3rd one. I missed the first 2.
― curmudgeon, Sunday, 19 November 2023 18:06 (seven months ago) link
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
― dow, Monday, 20 November 2023 00:13 (seven months ago) link
how did I miss Existentialism?!? incredible album, with definite throwbacks to the post-punk sounds of the 2nd LP lo those many years ago
― dead precedents (sleeve), Thursday, 25 January 2024 20:05 (four months ago) link
Not sure I ever listened to that one either. It's a live one, recorded in Brooklyn in 2015 I just read.
― curmudgeon, Friday, 26 January 2024 02:27 (four months ago) link
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
― dead precedents (sleeve), Friday, 26 January 2024 02:33 (four months ago) link
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.
― dead precedents (sleeve), Friday, 26 January 2024 02:34 (four months ago) link
I see Jon Langford is over in England and did a BBC interview re Mekons “Where Were You.” Also the Mini-Mekons are doing gigs in Brighton and London. Also Jon Langford and the Bright Shiners are doing gigs there and then in the US in June.
― curmudgeon, Thursday, 23 May 2024 16:10 (four weeks ago) link
The Jon Langford and the Bright Shiners album came out in April.
― curmudgeon, Thursday, 23 May 2024 16:15 (four weeks ago) link
Langford re Bright Shiners and more
https://sinceileftyoublog.tumblr.com/post/746742646581641216/jon-langford-interview?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR1dkAKJ_x4KsEpn30DJOnDl4l7Z2kuXOyCGeySEpkQqX6s-eIzYHOzg6Ow_aem_AZbe71EoS3YfiVeZoAiQlpgeLGYGXNSa7FHuSKK8RkszSQHgAX1NeF76QKBos-mApmAbMQIg1HkjXeixOCkTVX69
― curmudgeon, Thursday, 23 May 2024 16:16 (four weeks ago) link
I like the Langford and Bright Shiners album on my first listen ( while doing other stuff in the house).
― curmudgeon, Friday, 24 May 2024 21:40 (four weeks ago) link
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LBMcsX2RpOc
Langford and Bright Shiners live
― curmudgeon, Tuesday, 28 May 2024 18:46 (three weeks ago) link