I went to see the Mekons last week at London's fashionable 100 Club. Although I have seen various members in different combinations over the years I had never seen the band itself so I was looking forward to it very much. I wasn't disappointed. My gig of the year to date.
The current touring line-up has seven members. Jon Langford and Tom Greenhalgh founded the band back in 1977. All but one of the others were recruited when the band was revived and revamped in the mid 1980s (Sally Timms, Susie Honeyman, Rico Bell and Steve Goulding). New boy bassist Dave Trumfio has been with them a paltry ten years.
With that line-up I was pretty confident that we would get a set packed with some of the many highlights of their extensive back catalogue, and so it proved. From their second single in 1978 to their brand new album "Horror" it was high quality fare throughout.
Unfortunately Sally Timms ('the Queen Mother of Punk Rock' as she was introduced) was poorly but she gallantly hauled herself onstage for the middle part of the show to sing, cough and indulge in some banter with Jon Langford before going off to lie down. It was most gracious of Her Majesty and hopefully she is feeling back to her best by now.
I've selected the three songs that formed the encore last week. These originals date from 1987, 1989 and 1978 respectively. To recreate the live sound imagine them with added violin, accordion and squawking sax courtesy of guest Andy Wilkinson. Maybe play along on the concertina if you happen to have one.
The 100 Club was the last gig of the UK leg of the current tour but they are meandering around continental Europe until the end of the month and then the US in July. If you get the chance go along.
"(Sometimes I Feel Like) Fletcher Christian" - The Mekons
"Memphis Egypt" - The Mekons
"Where Were You" - The Mekons
Hopefully there were more than 36 people in attendance (little civic hall Wolverhampton, about 20 years ago)
ReplyDeleteI've seen The Mekons several times during the last decades. They were always great but there was always a less audience
ReplyDeleteCrowd size wasn't a problem last week. They sold out the 100 Club which has a capacity of about 300.
DeleteWish I'd seen them now
ReplyDeleteSounds like a good night and of course a great venue. Thank you for some subtle motivation there too - my concertina has been a little neglected lately...
ReplyDeleteWe're still waiting for that long promised concertina dub album
DeleteVery sad that I couldn’t get to see Mekons, sounds like a great night and your 3 picks alone would have made it all worthwhile for me. And kudos to Sally Timms for serving above & beyond, despite being poorly. What a legend!
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