Mekons

They may have come up in England with The Damned and Gang Of Four, but the Mekons distinguished themselves by flirting with American country music and traditional English folk songs. It’s pretty astonishing that a first-wave punk band is still around and thriving 30-odd years later, especially considering Mekons’ ever-changing lineup and innumerable side-projects. (Frontman Jon Langford alone has too many to name here.) The Mekons do what’s right for them, though—something that’s at least somewhat reflected in the band’s self-release of its new record, Ancient And Modern. It’s not a punk record, nor is it country, instead leaning a little more toward folk, albeit imbued with a sense of both anarchic despair and artistic wonder.

Updated 09/21/2011