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Great American Music Hall April 28th, 2001 Review by Squid The amazing Mekons have been around in some form or another for sixteen years. They're old enough to have kids in college, yet they rock harder and louder than bands half their age. Whatever their magic formula, it certainly isn't abstinence. "Uh, have you all heard of this thing 'straight-edge'? " queried founding member Jon Langford. "I've only just heard of it today." Singer Sally Timms put it quickly into perspective, "Jon, you were straight edge once for about five minutes". Thank God. A life of teetotalling might have kept us from bouncing around all night to the likes of 'Millionaire' or 'Fletcher Christian'. Squid was permitted her customary four minutes of maudlin overreaction as she sucked down beer six and swayed back and forth to 'Wild and Blue'. And our resident Platinum Bombshell pal Toby, who is, coincidentally, in love with Langford, was pleased to hear both 'Neglect' and 'Tina' from their latest album, "Journey to the End of Night". As we were all saying our goodbyes at the end of the evening, Kathy w/a K came charging through the crowd, loudly admonishing us with, "You are not allowed to talk about anything except how good the Mekons were!" 'Nuff said, really. Short of say, CMJ or maybe SXSW, this is probably one of the highest profile gigs The Court and Spark have performed. The first hint of 'To See the Fires' had Daz grinning and giving the thumbs up, her unspoken wish having been answered. TC&S are extremely tight live, and that's freed each of them up to perfect their performances individually. Singer Wendy Allen hit her ethereal vocals clean out of the park, and guitarist Scott Hirsch pretty much stole the show during his solos. But the clincher as always was Mr. Tom Heyman on the pedal steel that blankets each song in a sweet honeysuckle smoke. Opening for a band with a dedicated fan base could have either been a great introduction to a new audience or a chance to feel the hostility of an impatient throng. Luckily Mekons fans are music lovers who've been around the block a few times, and they knew good music when they heard it. So although there was the requisite chatting in the back, Squid was happy to see people nodding and smiling all around her. Maybe the state of music ain't so bad, after all. New album out soon. Be ready. For a ton of Mekons audience reviews and their mailing list: http://home.t-online.de/home/Norbert.Knape/mekonhom.htm Southern Records have a bit of a page as well: http://www.southern.com/southern/band/MEKON/ Check out The Court and Spark live at CMJ: http://www.spin.com/new/features/spinlive/cmj_010130.html Also, read our review of The Court and Spark show at the Noe Valley Ministry on March 30, 2001 here. |