The Mekons have been cranking out vital post-punk for nearly 50 years. Even to label them with that description is to do them a disservice given the breadth of their approach. Their resounding liveliness which has never once seemed to diminish in the face of changing tastes and styles dominating the market-place of ideals.
Now signed to Fire Records, the Mekons are prepping new music for 2025, along with a tour of Europe and the U.S. I saw the band in 1989 at the old 9:30 and they were incendiary (and the nicest group I met in my record store days), and just saw Jon Langford with Bonnie "Prince" Billy in D.C. a year ago, so I can say that they are truly an act worth seeing live.
"You're Not Singing Anymore" was inspired by a trip through Spain, with thoughts of Franco's fascists looming large in the minds of the band members. The past can't be forgotten, or we're doomed to repeat it. And here on these shores, with a fascist about to be sworn in again, the sentiment of this song is taken to heart by this listener. The Mekons have always had a way to make the heavy blend with the light, and don't mistake this tune's catchy appeal for anything less than a serious reminder of the dangers of the wrong people getting to power.
"You're Not Singing Anymore" by the Mekons is out now via Fire Records. Details below.
[Photo: Gabi Rojas]