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The Meanies

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Ready the birthday candles; The Meanies are turning 21!

Editorial

Forged by punk, rocketing through the height of grunge, and finally landing somewhere around no-frills indie rock, the Melbourne band long ago confirmed its mastery of knockabout anthems. And I'm happy to report that The Meanies' impact hasn't lessened with the years, playing this year's era-ending sendoff show for the Tote, the band was a mad flurry of hooks and enthusiasm. If singer Link Meanie appeared winded after the set, it was only because he threw himself into it so completely.

For anyone too young to remember, The Meanies came careening along in 1989 and made their mark in the '90s, touring with Pearl Jam in Australia and recording their classic 1994 album 10% Weird in Seattle. The second half of the '90s saw them take a break from each other, but by 1999 the band was touring again and has been ever since. A follow-up album to 10% Weird has yet to come, but there has been a slew of singles, EPs, and compilation tracks. And in a handy encapsulation of the band's history, 2006 saw the release of the DVD, The Meanies: A Seminal Australian Punk Tale.

One could go on and on about how influential The Meanies have been for countless Aussie musos, but it's best to just get baptised by them live and see what the fuss has been all about.

Doug Wallen, June 2010

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