The Mekons

The Mekons
Amoeba Records, San Francisco
March 24, 2004

The Mekons are a band I'll always associate with my days living in downtown San Jose in the late-80's. Living in a house with 3 other dudes. Two of them were in a band together and had a studio set up in the basement. The other roommate worked in a record store. I was the token Asian. Twas a house of music geeks. For one reason or another I haven't seen the Mekons live in over 10 years (Hi Jayne!). What am I? Stupid?!

The in-store was like seeing them in a pub. Low key. Low-fi. It was nice being in a crowd who all looked to be around my age. 40-ish aging indie rockers. Greying hair. Some with kids in tow. I heard one guy say "I'm glad they're doing an in-store so I don't have to go to a club.." There were no drunk scenester kids. No one talking during songs. The aisles were packed with people who were there for THE MUSIC. Plus, Robin Williams was there too... or so I heard a clerk tell someone afterwards. Shazbot! Na Nu Na Nu!

They played my favorite Mekons song ('Hey! Susan') and closed with a nice version of 'Last Dance'. 40 minutes. Free. As they finished up and the crowd applauded I realized I really loved being alive at that moment. I felt like getting on my cell phone and calling everyone I know to say "Why the f*ck weren't you here?!" I was in such a good mood that I drove across town to The Mission and got dinner at my favorite falafel place.

The only bummer was when I got back to the car and realized I didn't have any Mekons on my iPod for the drive home. Life in the 21st Century is full of such unexpected hardships.

On the way back to the car some pimply faced teenagers called me a fag. Before the show I popped into a pub and had a pint of Guinness... which I chased with an expresso a little while later.

Lock 'N Loll.