Thank you for capturing the greatness of the Mekons and what it’s like to see them live. And yes, Sally! I placed my handicapped wife at one of those VIP tables (there being no place else for her to sit) but I stood outside the rope. I have my scruples and the view was just fine.
So glad you caught 'em, Bob, not least of all because i've been reading your writing on them for decades now. The tour-opener in Minneapolis, which AG and I half-planned a road trip around, was as heartening as this show sounds. And I loved that Langford rhymed "billionaire" with (if memory serves) "tie 'em to a radiator under the stairs."
Live shows from Gang of Four and the Mekons AND a new album from Public Enemy - what is this, 1991 or something? But seriously, thanks for the review - makes me hope the Mekons make it to Tulsa one of these days. (Maybe playing the Cain’s Ballroom? I suspect they’d be right at home on a stage graced at different times by Bob Wills and Sid Vicious. I really should check to see if the Woody Guthrie Center can help make this happen.)
Please pardon the belated reply - as someone who read and reread the Booker T. Washington High School library's copy of Mystery Train in the early 1980's, I'm still a little flummoxed by the prospect of encountering its author in one of the local bookstores - hell, one of the local supermarkets. (I also practiced typing at the same school - on my own time, mind you - copying the A and A+ reviews from your 1970's Consumer Guide book.) I knew Marcus had been active in connection with Tulsa's Bob Dylan Center events for several years now (including an upcoming keynote speech, "First Unto This Country: Bob Dylan and the Little Sandy Review" - alas, the $300 asking price to register for the conference is way out of my range), but I didn't know he'd taken up residence here. (Unless I misinterpreted "Tulsa fan," and you meant he's just a fan of the city of Tulsa?)
I don’t know the Mekons. Never heard of them, to tell the truth, but somehow a video of that show appeared on some or the other platform that we share, and I must say, I did love it. They reminded me of us, us being the generation that helped end apartheid in South Africa. So yes, I identify because I’m left-leaning, so far I’d fall over if it weren’t for the walking stick. We still have concerts as well, various formations of us, and when we do, we also have a lot of fun - a LOT. I also loved the review. Live show reviews have become as rare as chicken teeth. Yea. They don’t have. I know.
Jon and Sally are wonderful people and I’m so glad I can call them friends. Jon played at my last show in Chicago before I began moving about. And the band is fantastic. It’s a joy knowing them!
I was at the Minneapolis show, too, and it was life affirming. If ever we needed a band that perseveres against all odds with humor & gusto, it is now! They were on it from the get go, and it was glorious to sing along to "Hard to be Human Again" and so much more!
One of the perks of being a Chicagoan is that almost weekly we could see some configuration of Jon/Sally/ Wacos/Mini- Mekons in teeny neighborhood bars and clubs, weeknights and -ends. Always dependably funny and joyous and rockin’! A People’s band to be sure
I've seen Langford and Timms countless times in different permutations since we are blessed to have them as Chicago denizens (I hired Jon & John Szymanski to play my block party last year!), but I just saw the Mekons for the first time at Fitzgerald's Nightclub. What a band. Everything they do is great, but the Mekons definitely feels like the peak.
Thanks, Dean. Would never have had Mekons in m'life if not for you.
Thank you for capturing the greatness of the Mekons and what it’s like to see them live. And yes, Sally! I placed my handicapped wife at one of those VIP tables (there being no place else for her to sit) but I stood outside the rope. I have my scruples and the view was just fine.
So glad you caught 'em, Bob, not least of all because i've been reading your writing on them for decades now. The tour-opener in Minneapolis, which AG and I half-planned a road trip around, was as heartening as this show sounds. And I loved that Langford rhymed "billionaire" with (if memory serves) "tie 'em to a radiator under the stairs."
Vivid and super inspiring. Long may you run, seated comfortably.
Live shows from Gang of Four and the Mekons AND a new album from Public Enemy - what is this, 1991 or something? But seriously, thanks for the review - makes me hope the Mekons make it to Tulsa one of these days. (Maybe playing the Cain’s Ballroom? I suspect they’d be right at home on a stage graced at different times by Bob Wills and Sid Vicious. I really should check to see if the Woody Guthrie Center can help make this happen.)
Tulsa fan Greil Marcus is a big Mekons fan as well.
Please pardon the belated reply - as someone who read and reread the Booker T. Washington High School library's copy of Mystery Train in the early 1980's, I'm still a little flummoxed by the prospect of encountering its author in one of the local bookstores - hell, one of the local supermarkets. (I also practiced typing at the same school - on my own time, mind you - copying the A and A+ reviews from your 1970's Consumer Guide book.) I knew Marcus had been active in connection with Tulsa's Bob Dylan Center events for several years now (including an upcoming keynote speech, "First Unto This Country: Bob Dylan and the Little Sandy Review" - alas, the $300 asking price to register for the conference is way out of my range), but I didn't know he'd taken up residence here. (Unless I misinterpreted "Tulsa fan," and you meant he's just a fan of the city of Tulsa?)
I don’t know the Mekons. Never heard of them, to tell the truth, but somehow a video of that show appeared on some or the other platform that we share, and I must say, I did love it. They reminded me of us, us being the generation that helped end apartheid in South Africa. So yes, I identify because I’m left-leaning, so far I’d fall over if it weren’t for the walking stick. We still have concerts as well, various formations of us, and when we do, we also have a lot of fun - a LOT. I also loved the review. Live show reviews have become as rare as chicken teeth. Yea. They don’t have. I know.
Thanks for writing. Worth someone like you knowing about. There really are pushing 30 LPs/EPs reviewed at robertchristgau.com
Jon and Sally are wonderful people and I’m so glad I can call them friends. Jon played at my last show in Chicago before I began moving about. And the band is fantastic. It’s a joy knowing them!
...wondered who those VIP's were so far above us. Content to claim our spot at stagefront, Tom and Susie side...
Great band, great show. That was Rico Bell on keys & accordion.
They were great. This is my 50th year of loving them. I was right in front in the middle. No balcony for me.
Possibly the best of the gigs I’ve been to over the decades. HORROR sounded much better live.
It was definitely an exceptional show, even for them.
I was at the Minneapolis show, too, and it was life affirming. If ever we needed a band that perseveres against all odds with humor & gusto, it is now! They were on it from the get go, and it was glorious to sing along to "Hard to be Human Again" and so much more!
Just saw them in Philly, and they continue to rock! Sally took some issue with the word “frail,” though, lol
It warms my 67-year-old heart that these guys are still out there doing what they do. Thanks.
Got my tix for the upcoming San Francisco show. Now more excited than before!
One of the perks of being a Chicagoan is that almost weekly we could see some configuration of Jon/Sally/ Wacos/Mini- Mekons in teeny neighborhood bars and clubs, weeknights and -ends. Always dependably funny and joyous and rockin’! A People’s band to be sure
I've seen Langford and Timms countless times in different permutations since we are blessed to have them as Chicago denizens (I hired Jon & John Szymanski to play my block party last year!), but I just saw the Mekons for the first time at Fitzgerald's Nightclub. What a band. Everything they do is great, but the Mekons definitely feels like the peak.