The Meatmen

Formed in Lansing, Michigan in 1981, The Meatmen play snotty, brash, hardcore-influenced punk. Snarling frontman Tesco Vee seems to have a thing for The Smiths, too. The band recorded the unapologetic anti-Morrissey banger “Morrissey Must Die” as well as a mawkish cover of “How Soon Is Now?” In the ’80s, the band played into the virulent macho element of hardcore and punk culture, with plenty of racist, homophobic lyrics. Since the band reformed in 2008, Vee has chalked the whole thing up to his stage persona and expressed disappointment with the mocking of gays and minorities that occurred in his band’s previous life. The Meatmen’s latest iteration brings in Detroit guitarist Kevin Roberts, but except the same sort of bratty, hate-baiting punk sneering.

Updated 05/09/2012