The Mekons
The Quality Of Mercy Is Not Strnen
In process of stocking. After two singles for Fast Product, Leeds art-punk collective The Mekons signed with Virgin Records in 1979. The band would have to borrow gear from their mates Gang Of Four to record their major label debut. In classic Mekons style, the album’s back cover featured a photo of Gang Of Four instead of themselves. As Simon Reynolds writes, “The Quality Of Mercy Is Not Strnen got a mixed reception at the time. Listening to it now, though, the first LP sounds more of a piece w…
Never Been In A Riot
No band captures the DIY punk ethos better than The Mekons. As one critic wrote of the group, "Those who couldn't play tried to learn and those who could tried to forget."Their debut EP first appeared on Fast Product in 1978, featuring the collective's original six-piece lineup and delivering three startlingly original songs – "Never Been In A Riot," "32 Weeks" and "Heart And Soul" – that never appeared on any of their albums. Like fellow Leeds misfits Gang of Four and Delta 5, The Mekons form a…
Where Were You / I'll Have To Dance Then (On My Own)
No band captures the DIY punk ethos better than The Mekons. As one critic wrote of the group, "Those who couldn't play tried to learn and those who could tried to forget."The Mekons' second 7-inch stands as a lasting monument to the punk era. "Where Were You," an anthem with chiming guitars, military-style drums and snotty lyrics, may be one of the most epic songs written with just two chords. The angular spasms and up-front bass thump of "I'll Have To Dance Then (On My Own)" would become tenets…