Blue Meanies (band)
Encyclopedia
Blue Meanies were an American
ska-core band founded in Carbondale, Illinois
, at Southern Illinois University
, in 1989. They debuted in 1991 with the release of their first single, "Grandma Shampoo" c/w "Dickory Dock". This single would be the start of a lengthy discography and revolving lineup. Although their personnel was continually changing, The Meanies' sound would remain consistent as they released the albums Peace Love Groove (1991), Pave The World (1992), Kiss Your Ass Goodbye (1995), Full Throttle (1997), and the live Sonic Documentation Of Exhibition And Banter (1998).
By the time they signed with MCA Records
, the lineup of John Paul Camp (saxophone/ vocals), Sean Dolan (guitar), Jimmy Flame (trumpet/ vocals), Chaz Linde (keyboard/ vocal), Dave Lund (bass/ vocals), Billy Spunke (vocals/ megaphone), and Bob Trondson (drums) stuck together as a total of 22 musicians passed through the band since their formation. Their sixth full length album, The Post Wave, was released in late 2000. This album is musically the most different from the other five albums. This change in sound along with the title of the album probably resulted from the crash of the third wave ska scene within the US. In late 2001 the band took the rights to The Post Wave back from MCA records and reissued it on Thick Records
in August 2001. Soon afterwards the band ceased touring, though they never issued an official break up statement.
. On December 22, 2004 the band played its first show in three years at Double Door
with The Tossers
and Cougars
supporting. The next day the band played an all ages show at The Metro with Mu330
, The Methadones
, and New Black supporting. The Metro show was filmed with multiple cameras but no plans for a release of the footage have been announced. Future plans for the band remain vague as well.
On August 16, 2006 it was announced that the Blue Meanies would reunite for Riot Fest 2006, an annual punk rock festival held in Chicago. Other high profile reunions for the fest include Naked Raygun
and The Bollweevils.
Since April 24, 2006, the band (primarily Sean Dolan) has kept somewhat in contact with their fanbase with their MySpace profile. On it, they have provided previously unreleased tracks (any songs pulled from the site can be obtained via email), largely from the recording sessions of The Post Wave.
Vinyl
Compilations
Other
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
ska-core band founded in Carbondale, Illinois
Carbondale, Illinois
Carbondale is a city in Jackson County, in the state of Illinois, within the Southern Illinois region. It is located at the junction of Illinois Route 13 and U.S. Route 51, southeast of St. Louis, Missouri, on the northern edge of the Shawnee National Forest...
, at Southern Illinois University
Southern Illinois University
Southern Illinois University is a state university system based in Carbondale, Illinois, in the Southern Illinois region of the state, with multiple campuses...
, in 1989. They debuted in 1991 with the release of their first single, "Grandma Shampoo" c/w "Dickory Dock". This single would be the start of a lengthy discography and revolving lineup. Although their personnel was continually changing, The Meanies' sound would remain consistent as they released the albums Peace Love Groove (1991), Pave The World (1992), Kiss Your Ass Goodbye (1995), Full Throttle (1997), and the live Sonic Documentation Of Exhibition And Banter (1998).
By the time they signed with MCA Records
MCA Records
MCA Records was an American-based record company owned by MCA Inc., which later gave way to the larger MCA Music Entertainment Group , of which MCA Records was still part. MCA Records was absorbed by Geffen Records in 2003...
, the lineup of John Paul Camp (saxophone/ vocals), Sean Dolan (guitar), Jimmy Flame (trumpet/ vocals), Chaz Linde (keyboard/ vocal), Dave Lund (bass/ vocals), Billy Spunke (vocals/ megaphone), and Bob Trondson (drums) stuck together as a total of 22 musicians passed through the band since their formation. Their sixth full length album, The Post Wave, was released in late 2000. This album is musically the most different from the other five albums. This change in sound along with the title of the album probably resulted from the crash of the third wave ska scene within the US. In late 2001 the band took the rights to The Post Wave back from MCA records and reissued it on Thick Records
Thick Records
THICK RECORDS is a Chicago based independent record label formed in 1994 by Detroit native Zak Einstein. Early label releases include influential albums from Chicago ska-punkers The Blue Meanies, Alton, IL’s Judge Nothing, and the Omaha based Commander Venus, whose members included Conor Oberst,...
in August 2001. Soon afterwards the band ceased touring, though they never issued an official break up statement.
Post-breakup
In the summer of 2004 it was confirmed that the Meanies would temporarily revive the old tradition of the Winter Nationals. For years the Blue Meanies would have a show on December 23 in their hometown of ChicagoChicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
. On December 22, 2004 the band played its first show in three years at Double Door
Double Door
Double Door is a concert hall and nightclub located at 1572 N. Milwaukee Avenue, in Chicago's Wicker Park neighborhood. The venue was first opened on June 12, 1994, and is co-owned by Andy Barrett, Sean Mulroney and Joe Shanahan...
with The Tossers
The Tossers
The Tossers are a six-piece Celtic punk band from Chicago, Illinois. They formed in July 1993. They have toured with Murphy's Law, Streetlight Manifesto, Catch 22, Dropkick Murphys, The Reverend Horton Heat, Flogging Molly, Street Dogs, Clutch, Sick of it All & Mastodon. They opened for The Pogues...
and Cougars
Cougars
Cougars is a Chicago-based rock band signed to the New York-based label Go-Kart Records.The Cougars' music is often compared to that of Rocket from the Crypt...
supporting. The next day the band played an all ages show at The Metro with Mu330
MU330
MU330 are a ska punk band from St. Louis, Missouri.Formed by students of St. Louis University High School in 1988, MU330 played a self-described brand of music called "Psycho Ska", high energy ska punk marked by manic performances and humorous, often strange lyricism...
, The Methadones
The Methadones
The Methadones were a band formed in 1993 by guitarist/vocalist Dan Vapid. The Methadones initially lasted only a few shows before Dan put them to the side to focus on his main band Screeching Weasel. By 1999 Dan was no longer a member of Screeching Weasel or his other band The Riverdales, and...
, and New Black supporting. The Metro show was filmed with multiple cameras but no plans for a release of the footage have been announced. Future plans for the band remain vague as well.
On August 16, 2006 it was announced that the Blue Meanies would reunite for Riot Fest 2006, an annual punk rock festival held in Chicago. Other high profile reunions for the fest include Naked Raygun
Naked Raygun
Naked Raygun is a Chicago-based punk rock group. Initially active from 1980 to about 1992, Naked Raygun had several short-lived reunions afterwards and a full-time reformation in 2006....
and The Bollweevils.
Since April 24, 2006, the band (primarily Sean Dolan) has kept somewhat in contact with their fanbase with their MySpace profile. On it, they have provided previously unreleased tracks (any songs pulled from the site can be obtained via email), largely from the recording sessions of The Post Wave.
Discography
Albums- Peace Love Groove (1991) (live)
- Pave The World EP (1992)
- Kiss Your Ass Goodbye (Fuse Records, 1995—re-released by Asian Man Records, 1999)
- Full Throttle (THICK Records, 1997—special edition re-released THICK, 2005)
- PIGS EP (THICK Records, 1999)
- Sonic Documentation Of Exhibition And Banter LIVE! (Asian Man Records, 1999) (live)
- The Post Wave (MCA, 2000—re-released by THICK Records, 2001)
Vinyl
- Grandma Shampoo b/w Dickory Dock 7" (1991)
- Urine Trouble 7" (1994)
- Pave The World/F.O.R.D. 10" Picture Disc (1996)
- Blue Meanies/MU330 Split 7" (1998)
- Blue Meanies/Alkaline Trio split 7" picture disc (1999)
Compilations
- Magnetic Curses: A Chicago Punk Rock Compilation (THICK Records, 2000 re-released 2007)
- Skanarchy (Elevator Music, 2000)
- Living Tomorrow Today : A Benefit For Ty Cambra (Asian Man Records, 2001)
- Sex And Subversion: A Thick Records Document (THICK Records, 2003)
- Love and Rebellion (THICK Records, 2007)
Other
- Nude Ain't Crude cassette (1991)