As they embark on a national tour to celebrate their 25 Year Silver Jubilee you could say that the Meanies are one of Australia’s longest running and most popular punk bands. Cruelty’s Fun rather less so. But as a band who play sloppy but loving renditions of the Meanies early catalogue they are coming from the same fast and fun punk rock place.Made up of members of the Optionals, Grand Fatal, Hell City Glamours and Hostile Objects, the Sydney four piece formed one drunken evening at the Lansdowne with the plan to play tracks from the Meanies 7”s and Gangrenous and Come n See era.The Meanies are the Meanies and have been for 25 years.Members of Cruelty’s Fun threw some questions to the Meanies as they continue their Silver Jubilee Tour 2014 - 25 Years Young & Relevant.Link Cruelty: What is the biggest injury you've sustained at a Meanies show?
Link Meanie: I don't know if sustained is the right word but I received a broken jaw from a very confused moron who was obviously confused by his attraction to a naked me gyrating on stage. He got up and put his arm around me as if he was getting into the show then king hit me. Initially I jumped off the stage with the desire to beat the crap out of the coward, but the crowd got there first. I ended up having to calm people down. It was a strange night.
Wally Meanie: But he does have plates in three different parts of his body, broken collar bones, sprained ankles, knees, broken jaw and his torso looks like a road map there’s so many cuts on it. Last year a self-inflicted wound with a piece of glass required 38 internal and external stiches stitched internally and externally. The next night he was up on stage playing with Sun God Replica .Link Cruelty: What is the weirdest show you played? I saw you at an all ages show at Manly High School in the early 90s. There was a threat of a drive by shooting after the show and you had to announce this to the crowd, remember?
Link Meanie: Probably playing a bar in Canberra with support from a juggler who went overtime. It was very Spinal Tap. I think that was the Meanies, perhaps it was the Tomorrow People. Wal?
Wally Meanie: My weirdest gig was when the support act at a gig in Amsterdam was an actual screening of the GG Allin documentary Hated. It didn’t exactly set the mood.
I do remember the drive by and I remember having to make that announcement. I remember thinking WTF. But it didn’t actually happen so all to no avail. Wally Cruelty: Who normally does the driving?
Wally Meanie: It depends who wants to get pissed. More often than not we fly places these days so the driving isn't exactly a major issue. Usually I'll be the one to collect the vehicle at the airport so I can get the frequesnt flyer points. Link doesn't drive, Jaws never offers so it'll me or Ringo at night's end, Ringo more so because he's nowhere as much of a piss head as I am. We'll often leave the car at the venue and all get spasticated and collect it the next day. With this in mind we book our flight times accordingly.Wally Cruelty: When playing with Pearl Jam did you really write all of Jeff Ament's bass lines for him?
Wally Meanie: He had that covered but he's one tough mother. He had so many basses on the road with him he could have opened a music shop. All sorts too including a 12 string. I had a go of one one night at soundcheck. Fuck they're hard to play. I still have a recurring blister from that fucking thing 20 years on. Gringo Cruelty: What was your biggest influence as a drummer when you were starting out?
Ringo Meanie: The real Ringo, Noel Crombie (yes, another drummer who can't do a drum roll and could hold down a drummers job in a band), Clem Burke. Gringo Cruelty: Favourite or worst shows?
Ringo Meanie: Seeing Cruelty's Fun performing with us is up there with the favourites. I always wanted to see/hear what we may be like live from out front. It was good, I think. I was better looking than I remembered. And I had hair. Gringo Cruelty: Do you need as much gack as me to play your set?
Ringo Meanie: Preparation is very important before a gig to sustain the energy throughout. Carbo loading - a pie, and liquid sustenance Melbourne Bitter, are all I need.JB Cruelty: How does a drummer end up as a guitarist in the Meanies? How much practise did you have for your first show?
Jaws Meanie: Seriously, I have no idea. Wally called one day and asked me to play a show, as Tas was overseas at the time. This was the tribute show for DD. I’ve never asked how many other people Wally tried calling before me, but I think we can all blame him! As for rehearsals (ha!), I believe we’ve had two in the last six years; one before my first show, and one last year before recording. It really works for our sound. JB Cruelty: Remember the time we supported you?
Jaws Meanie: I certainly do! I was hoping you would play more of our set, so I could learn how to play ‘em all properly. We’re up that way soon. Got any plans that night?Catch The Meanies as they celebrate 25 years togetherSydney - October 10 at the The Roller Den with Batpiss, Clowns and Firearms
Hobart - October 17 at the Brisbane with Clowns and Powernap
Brisbane - Oct 18 at the Prince of Wales Hotel with Batpiss, Fat and Union Radio
Melbourne - October 24 at the Hi Fi with Batpiss, Clowns and FlourA remastered re-issued limited edition 7” of the "Meanies Never / Steve Sex God / Sorry 'Bout The Violence" will be available from Tym records in November.
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Link Meanie: I don't know if sustained is the right word but I received a broken jaw from a very confused moron who was obviously confused by his attraction to a naked me gyrating on stage. He got up and put his arm around me as if he was getting into the show then king hit me. Initially I jumped off the stage with the desire to beat the crap out of the coward, but the crowd got there first. I ended up having to calm people down. It was a strange night.
Wally Meanie: But he does have plates in three different parts of his body, broken collar bones, sprained ankles, knees, broken jaw and his torso looks like a road map there’s so many cuts on it. Last year a self-inflicted wound with a piece of glass required 38 internal and external stiches stitched internally and externally. The next night he was up on stage playing with Sun God Replica .Link Cruelty: What is the weirdest show you played? I saw you at an all ages show at Manly High School in the early 90s. There was a threat of a drive by shooting after the show and you had to announce this to the crowd, remember?
Link Meanie: Probably playing a bar in Canberra with support from a juggler who went overtime. It was very Spinal Tap. I think that was the Meanies, perhaps it was the Tomorrow People. Wal?
Wally Meanie: My weirdest gig was when the support act at a gig in Amsterdam was an actual screening of the GG Allin documentary Hated. It didn’t exactly set the mood.
I do remember the drive by and I remember having to make that announcement. I remember thinking WTF. But it didn’t actually happen so all to no avail. Wally Cruelty: Who normally does the driving?
Wally Meanie: It depends who wants to get pissed. More often than not we fly places these days so the driving isn't exactly a major issue. Usually I'll be the one to collect the vehicle at the airport so I can get the frequesnt flyer points. Link doesn't drive, Jaws never offers so it'll me or Ringo at night's end, Ringo more so because he's nowhere as much of a piss head as I am. We'll often leave the car at the venue and all get spasticated and collect it the next day. With this in mind we book our flight times accordingly.
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Wally Meanie: He had that covered but he's one tough mother. He had so many basses on the road with him he could have opened a music shop. All sorts too including a 12 string. I had a go of one one night at soundcheck. Fuck they're hard to play. I still have a recurring blister from that fucking thing 20 years on. Gringo Cruelty: What was your biggest influence as a drummer when you were starting out?
Ringo Meanie: The real Ringo, Noel Crombie (yes, another drummer who can't do a drum roll and could hold down a drummers job in a band), Clem Burke. Gringo Cruelty: Favourite or worst shows?
Ringo Meanie: Seeing Cruelty's Fun performing with us is up there with the favourites. I always wanted to see/hear what we may be like live from out front. It was good, I think. I was better looking than I remembered. And I had hair. Gringo Cruelty: Do you need as much gack as me to play your set?
Ringo Meanie: Preparation is very important before a gig to sustain the energy throughout. Carbo loading - a pie, and liquid sustenance Melbourne Bitter, are all I need.JB Cruelty: How does a drummer end up as a guitarist in the Meanies? How much practise did you have for your first show?
Jaws Meanie: Seriously, I have no idea. Wally called one day and asked me to play a show, as Tas was overseas at the time. This was the tribute show for DD. I’ve never asked how many other people Wally tried calling before me, but I think we can all blame him! As for rehearsals (ha!), I believe we’ve had two in the last six years; one before my first show, and one last year before recording. It really works for our sound. JB Cruelty: Remember the time we supported you?
Jaws Meanie: I certainly do! I was hoping you would play more of our set, so I could learn how to play ‘em all properly. We’re up that way soon. Got any plans that night?Catch The Meanies as they celebrate 25 years togetherSydney - October 10 at the The Roller Den with Batpiss, Clowns and Firearms
Hobart - October 17 at the Brisbane with Clowns and Powernap
Brisbane - Oct 18 at the Prince of Wales Hotel with Batpiss, Fat and Union Radio
Melbourne - October 24 at the Hi Fi with Batpiss, Clowns and FlourA remastered re-issued limited edition 7” of the "Meanies Never / Steve Sex God / Sorry 'Bout The Violence" will be available from Tym records in November.