Back in the day: The Meanies when Point Lonsdale’s Tas Blizzard, at right, was still in the line-up.
Erin Pearson
FANS can expect “more forethought” from ‘90s punk rock band The Meanies at this year’s Queenscliff Music Festival, according to vocalist Lincoln ‘Link’ McLennon.
“We definitely perform a lot better than we used to,” he laughed down the telephone line to the Independent.
“Performing hurts a lot more but there’s certainly not as much blood.”
The Meanies is among a swag of bands recently announced to perform at this year’s Queenscliff festival.
Link will join Mark Hobbs and Roderick Kempton on stage in the latest incarnation of The Meanies following the death of guitarist Tas Blizzard two years ago. The Point Londale musician died in a car crash on the Bellarine Peninsula.
With all the existing line-up now aged in their 40s, McLennon said the band was now “less volatile” than “in the old days”.
“When starting out you want to do what ever it takes to become a success but we have no grand plan to take over the world these days,” he admitted.
“Our old bodies don’t hold-up as well as they used to. We need a weeks rest after a show but we certainly enjoy performing more now than back in the old days.”
The Meanies formed in 1989, releasing debut album Come ‘n’ See two years later.
The band built a solid reputation on Australia’s punk scene in the ‘90s, touring with such international luminaries as Nirvana, Beastie Boys, Bad Brains, Redd Kross, Superchunk and Fugazi.
Success also took The Meanies on tour from Melbourne through to countries like Spain, Germany, France, Italy and Switzerland.
McLennon said the band started off with small expectations before wanting to “take over the world”.
“When we started out success was playing to 500 people and that was as good as it got,” he laughed.
“Quality control went out the window the bigger our performances got.
“Our shows had a pretty high intensity which not a lot of other bands had back then and I think that contributed to our success.”
McLennon said the band members were enjoying life on the road as middle-aged rockers.
“It certainly makes for a better climate when you’ve been doing this for so long with these guys. You just want to make it as fun as possible.
“Nowadays we can make more demands which is fun – we refuse to drive ourselves interstate.”
McLennon said The Meanies had put a cap on playing live but planned to keep playing indefinitely.
“I think doing the one show here and there means there doesn’t have to be any end in sight,” he said.
“We will keep going for decades.”
The Meanies will feature on the Queenscliff bill with other acts including Frank Yamma, Mr Percival, Blue Shaddy, The Ray Beadle Band, Andy Bull and Skipping Girl Vinegar.
