The Mekons

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Four years ago, I began telling you about Joe Angio’s Revenge of the Mekons documentary, which was then just in its Kickstarter phase. Now it’s a completed, critically acclaimed movie about the legendary punk band, has played numerous festivals and is ready to begin its run at Film Forum in New York, the city’s best cinema. It’s scheduled for five showings daily from Wednesday, October 29 through Tuesday, November 4. (Buy tickets online at the theater’s site; I’ll leave a link at the top of the front page so that you can get there easily.)

Revenge of the Mekons is a movie that combines rock music, independent filmmaking and journalism, the second, third and fourth worst career choices possible. (Fuck you, Radio Shack clerk!) It’s a profile of a complicated and revolutionary group which refuses to go away after 37 years and continues evolving and making great music. It’s also a testament to maintaining focus on what’s important regardless of changing fashions (and the same can be said of the film itself).

Take a look at the trailer.

In addition to watching an exciting film, you’ll also witness a number of special guests introduce various screenings, including Mekons Jon Langford and Steve Goulding, The Hold Steady’s Craig Finn and the great critic Greil Marcus. Jonathan Franzen, who’s featured in the movie, is not scheduled to introduce a screening because he has Jonathan Franzen money, so fuck you. But one of my favorite writers, Luc Sante, will present a showing because he does not have Jonathan Franzen money. You’ll recognize Sante as he’ll be the one dressed like a Bolshevik, muttering something about an 1890s Bowery barber who severed a customer’s tongue with a straight razor. Nice and normal, Luc.

And I promise that if you go see this movie at Film Forum, I will never, ever mention it again.

Until the home video release.

Thanks, Darren.

We sell Victrolas.

Might I interest you in a Victrola?

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I’ve told you a few times now about the production of Joe Angio’s film, Revenge of the Mekons, an exciting documentary about the iconic band. Now there are ways for those of you in Leeds and Chicago to support the film. Sadly, I’ve run out of ways to mock Angio and his loved ones without resorting to slander (e.g., so many infants murdered, their kidneys harvested), so I’ll just give you the straight-up information.

Leeds info:

Revenge of the Mekons will screen on the closing night of the Leeds International Film Festival! It’s a fitting location (for those of you who don’t know, the Mekons met at Leeds University) and I’m really excited for it to be the site of the film’s U.K. premiere. 

Here are the details: Thursday, Nov. 21, 9:30pm at Hyde Park Picture House. Come Friday, find more info here.

Chicago info:

For those of you in the Chicago area who would like to join us on October 20, the invitation is attached. Publican Quality Meats and Panozzo’s Italian Market are providing the food and Dog Fish Head and City Winery is providing the beer and wine. We’ve got loads of great raffle prizes and I will screen about 25 minutes of the film. It’s going to be fun. I hope to see you there!

UPDATE: As if you needed another good reason to join us for the film’s fundraiser in Chicago on Oct. 20: The Mekons’ very own Jon Langford will be attending. The evening just got a whole lot more fun!

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You know I don’t bleg for me, but I am willing to bleg for a good cause or a good project. One such project is a documentary about the rock group the Mekons that is currently being made by Joe Angio, a former boss of mine and a fine filmmaker. He has finished shooting just about all the material and needs some money to begin the editing process. You can give by visiting his kickstarter site. But some questions you may want answered before you give:

Who are the Mekons?

An incredible and incredibly influential band that has stood the test of time for more than three decades, maintained integrity and still rocks on.

Who is the director?

Joe Angio is the talented filmmaker who made the smart and entertaining film, How to Eat Your Watermelon in White Company (and Enjoy It), a documentary about Melvin Van Peebles. The film was critically acclaimed and called “an energetic and admiring biography” by the New York Times‘ A.O. Scott, who has read books and shit.

Should I give money if I like the director Joe Angio?

Yes, though I question your taste in people.

Should I give money if I hate the director Joe Angio?

Definitely. There’s no better way to stab someone in the back than to encourage that person to be an independent filmmaker. It’s an awful and unglamorous life. If you really want to twist the blade, encourage that person to be a documentarian. There’s no money in it, and it’s endless work. These are the kind of filmmakers who actually have to pay for their cocaine. Meanwhile, Brett Ratner dates Maggie Q. Unfair.

Why don’t the Mekons hold a benefit concert to raise funds?

They’re currently drunk, every last Mekon. It’s rock and roll.

Have any celebrities contributed to the cause so far?

Indeed they have!

Are there rewards?

Yes, there are. Go to kickstarter and see all the cool stuff you can get for a modest donation. You can probably resell most of it on eBay for at least twice what you pay for it. (Joe Angio is a filmmaker, not an accountant.)

Will my donation be used responsibly?

All contributions will go to editing this film and making it great. Every penny will be squeezed until Abraham Lincoln’s head wounds reopen.

Seriously, it’s a great project, so if you love the Mekons or independent film or people doing something creative because it’s good thing to do, please give.

And look for my documentary about Ke$ha in 2014. It will $uck.

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