Revenge of the Mekons

Name: Revenge of the Mekons
Genre: Documentary
Released: 2015-11-19
Duration: 1 h 35 min
Rating: 7.3
Cast: Vito Acconci, Fred Armisen, Rico Bell

20132013
Not RatedNot Rated
1h 35m

IMDb RATING

7.3/10

YOUR RATING

This lively, behind-the-scenes chronicle of the critically adored, cultishly revered band/art collective reveals how, 35 years into an unpredictable and still-evolving career, its members remain committed to their art, their values and each other while staying true to the punk ethos: that resistance can make a difference.

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Documentary

REVENGE OF THE MEKONS charts the unlikely career of the genre-defying collective notorious for being--as rock critic Greil Marcus notes--"the band that took punk ideology most seriously." Bo... Read allREVENGE OF THE MEKONS charts the unlikely career of the genre-defying collective notorious for being--as rock critic Greil Marcus notes--"the band that took punk ideology most seriously." Born out of the 1977 British punk scene, the Mekons progressed from a group of socialist art... Read allREVENGE OF THE MEKONS charts the unlikely career of the genre-defying collective notorious for being--as rock critic Greil Marcus notes--"the band that took punk ideology most seriously." Born out of the 1977 British punk scene, the Mekons progressed from a group of socialist art students with no musical skills to the prolific, raucous progeny of Hank Williams. Joe An... Read all

IMDb RATING

7.3/10

YOUR RATING

Director
- Joe Angio
Stars

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Soundtracks
Where Were You
Written by The Mekons
Performed by The Mekons & Mitch Flako
Published by BMG Rights Management (US) LLC
from the album "Where Were You? (Hen's Teeth and Other Lost Fragments of Unpopular Culture, Vol.2)"
Courtesy of Touch and Go Records

User reviews3

Review

Top review

7/10

They Did It Their Way

This insightful documentary, directed by Joe Angio, focuses on the Mekons, a unique and eclectic band formed nearly 40 years ago by several Leeds University students, in England. Despite having virtually no commercial success the group has managed to put out some 26 albums, received high praise from music critics, and developed a devoted fan base as well.

Originally formed as a punk rock band in 1977 amidst the radicalism of the times in Leeds, the group eventually underwent a metamorphosis combining their original sound with American country and hillbilly music, which has produced a uniquely blended sound.

During the film, several music critics declare that the Mekons may be the only band to have maintained many of its key members for such a long period of time without any real commercial success. Instead, their interest is in being creative, having fun, and getting their music out into the world, appealing to those that enjoy it.

The documentary doesn't go into much detail of the personal histories of the band members, but it does present much of their wit and humor as the film progresses. The charisma of the two "leaders" Jon Langford and Sally Timms is undeniable though, and some of the other current band members reveal some interesting inside stories of occurrences over the years with the group.

Overall, I this movie was well-paced, informative, and interesting and I was engaged throughout.

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