Like A Gang of Four reared on Groucho, Chico and Harpo as much as Karl: The Three Johns announce 3 Disc collection!

One of my favorite unheralded bands of the 80's, The Three Johns (who were, indeed, 3 men named John: Jon Langford of the Mekons, John Hyatt, and John Brennan) have announced the release of Volume - a 3xCD box featuring two of their great albums, plus singles and B-sides. Over 50 tracks in all...and even a fanzine! Continue to read for the full scoop, and place your pre-order directly with the band here:

PRE-ORDER NOW FOR A 8/21 RELEASE

The Three Johns – Leeds original Death Rockers! – JOHN HYATT, JON LANGFORD and JOHN “BRENNY” BRENNAN, release their entire back catalog from 1982-1987 on CD for the first time. VOLUME is a 3 CD boxed set of all the singles, B-sides, 12 inch bonus tracks and the ATOM DRUM BOP and WORLD BY STORM albums in their complete original form. Digitally re-mastered by guitarist JON LANGFORD it contains over 50 art-metal disco classics including previously unreleased tracks from the mid-80s when the JOHNS ruled the roost on the post-punk indie circuit in the UK, Europe and the USA.

This definitive collection reveals the band at their creative peak, featuring raucous drum machine driven anthems like DEATH OF THE EUROPEAN, MEN LIKE MONKEYS, AWOL and NEVER AND ALWAYS (their 1987 collaboration with producer Adrian Sherwood). The box includes an exclusive THREE JOHNS fanzine called GET SEXY 2 created by James Brown of Loaded and NME fame.

Like A Gang of Four reared on Groucho, Chico and Harpo as much as Karl.

- Simon Reynolds, NME 1986

They're my favorite new Brits in years. - Robert Christgau, Village Voice 1984

The Three Johns by Ian Tilton

Documentary of Note: Revenge of the Mekons (2013) - finally showing in NYC!

Although it was first screened a year ago, the crowdfunded Revenge of the Mekons is only now finally getting some proper screenings. I haven't seen it yet but definitely hope to at some point. For upcoming NYC showings, visit Brooklyn Vegan for the scoop, including info on some live music from Jon Langford!

The Mekons - check out a new track & tour dates

 

The Mekons are getting ready for the release of their 26^th record, Ancient & Modern, on September 27^th as well as embarking on a special US tour kicking off at the end of this month. They’re taking their new (and old) songs on the road, and have divided up their shows, billed as “A quiet night in with the acoustic Mekons" or "A wild night out with the electrified Mekons".  Earlier this summer, they released their first single “Space in Your Face” and now they are giving away an MP3 of their track “Geeshie.” It was inspired by a song from Geeshie Wiley titled “Last Kind Words,” introduced to guitarist Jon Langford on his radio show by Wilco’s Jeff Tweedy. You can check out the premiere on RollingStone.com. Check out "Geeshie" here.
 

“The Mekons are the most revolutionary group in the history of rock 'n' roll.” - Lester Bangs

US Tour Dates
9/30 - SAN FRANCISCO, CA - Hardly Strictly Bluegrass (Afternoon Show) (A wild afternoon out with the electrified Mekons)
9/30 - SAN FRANCISCO, CA - Swedish American Hall (7:00pm) (A quiet night in with the acoustic Mekons)
10/04 - EVANSTON, IL - Space ("MEEKAKUCHA" - An evening of Pechakucha and Mekons acoustic music hosted by Peter Exley)
10/05 - CHICAGO, IL - Lincoln Hall (A wild night out with the electrified Mekons)
10/06 - ARLINGTON, VA - Iota (A quiet night in with the acoustic Mekons)
10/07 - BROOKLYN, NY - The Bell House (A wild night out with the electrified Mekons)
10/08 - NEW YORK, NY - City Winery (A quiet night in with the acoustic Mekons)

Just Because - Jon Langford & Lester Bangs

Jon (right) & Lester (left) working on the liner notes for the Mekons Story sometime in 1980.