Meatmen - “Savage Sagas From The Meatmen” CD

Ugly, dirty, and ultimately great return from Tesco and friends!

The immortal Tesco Vee and compatriots are back with their first Meatmen album in 5 years, an the first of all new material in over 20! “Savage Sagas” doesn’t tidy things up neatly for the kids, though. Nope, it’s as offensive, raucous, and out of control as ever before. With such family-friendly tunes as “Pissed Hot For Weed”, “The Ballad Of Stinky Penis”, “Big Bloody Booger On The Bathroom Wall”, or “Rock ’N Roll Enema”, you know it’s gonna be fast, hard, and ugly. And it is.

“Men O Meat” opens it all up with 55 seconds of speedy garage punk. “I’m Gonna Fuck You Up” is an anthem of only a minute and a half. Yikes! Tesco, Danny Dirtbag, Hindu Kush, and Bun Length are certainly firing on all cylinders. Production is perfect — raw but clear, and these 20 songs turn in at a quick and bouncy 48 minutes. “Shecky Presents…” is a bit of a comedic interlude, but fear not, kids, as “Speed Kills (But It Sho’ Feels Good)” is a thrashy, metallic punk monster. This one takes me back to the classic days of hardcore punk — with all the subversive nihilism and attitude. I will never tire of this sound. All hail the Meatmen! 

Self Destructo Records

Tesco Vee world

Big Black - "Way Hap Ultimate Rarities" 2xCD

Steve Albini is probably known more now as a recorder/producer, single-handedly helping to put grit on some classic indie rock and noise albums. I'm not about to go into details about which legendary releases he's worked on. The older folks remember Albini as frontman for notorious and confrontational Chicago noise-grind band Big Black (before he formed the relatively less confrontational Shellac). Big Black released several fine LPs on Touch & Go Records way back in the day, with titles like "Atomizer", "Songs About Fucking", and "Pigpile". These are all essential listening for anyone with an ear for anti-social guitar/gutter rock.

Here, someone has compiled a masterful selection of unreleased and rare Big Black compilation tracks, demos, and oddities (including some work by Stations, which featured Albini and future Dessau mainman John Elliott, interestingly). Anyway, "Way Hap Ultimate Rarities" is a 2xCD set of assorted Big Black nuggets, and some wonderful soul has posted these fine recordings for you to suckle on. Let the nihilism rain down on thee!

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Meatmen - "The Devil's In The Details Vol.1" DVD

Offensive, crude, politically incorrect, juvenile, and devoted to offending just about everyone, legendary zinester-gone-punk rock star Tesco Vee isn't afraid to brandish a massive fake phallus onstage or curse public authority figures (namely religious/political leaders and, umm, Abba?). This extensive 3-hour DVD includes a treasure trove of bootleg live footage, TV clips, home movies (including some excellent looks at Tesco's collection of vintage toys - amazing stuff!), and skits.

Covering the entire 1979-to-2007 history of punk/metal offenders the Meatmen (and Tesco's post-Meatmen venture, the Hate Police), this smattering of visual debris is hosted by Satan himself, who, unsurprisingly, is a big fan and collaborator with Mr. Vee. Tesco has a special place in his hall of ridicule for you and those you love. His systematic tearing down of all that is sacred reflects a need to 'shake the chains' of our ramshackle culture. He is a punk rock icon, and a (well-educated) nihilist who's all for bringing more evil and mayhem to the world through music and mean-spirited (good) humor. Take it with a grain of salt, though. He's no illiterate slob like G.G. or Il Duce.

Included here, as well, is an ill-fated TV show of Tesco's creation called 'Way USA', which featured John Waters and seemed to be a kind of surreal travelogue and variety/comedy show. Quite entertaining. And the addition of a pseudo-'Behind The Music' program that chronicles the history and upbringing of Tesco and the Meatmen makes for a fine primer for Meatmen novices. Interspersed are some really classic old TV commercials (dating back to the 50's) that are wonderfully goofy and naive. All in good fun.

Superb release, and a real value for the money. And remember, in the words of Mr. Vee himself, 'Jesus Hates You'. (Meat King Records / MVD Visual)