How the Mekons Created Their Classic Track
In a new interview, members of the Mekons recount the surprising story behind their iconic song Where Were You?, a track that nearly became a B-side but instead defined a generation. Guitarist Tom Greenhalgh and drummer Jon Langford share how the song came together in the early days of the band, its unexpected success, and the lasting impact of a compliment from David Bowie.
A Chance Beginning
Greenhalgh recalls that most of the Mekons and Gang of Four met on the same fine art course at Leeds University. After seeing the Anarchy tour in December 1976, he felt inspired to start a band. The Mekons formed almost by accident, rehearsing on Gang of Four's equipment during breaks. Their first gig was a half-performance without a rhythm section, yet it caught the attention of Bob Last from Fast Product label, who insisted on recording them despite their protests that he should focus on Gang of Four.
The band recorded their first single, Never Been in a Riot, in a living room, but for Where Were You? they went to Spaceward studio in Cambridge. Greenhalgh describes the song as coming together quickly: Kevin Lycett strummed two chords, Greenhalgh added a choppy counter-melody, and Jon Langford joined on drums. Mark White wrote the lyrics, and Andy Corrigan sang them. John Peel played the song heavily, and it sold over 27,000 copies immediately—a huge number for an independent label.
David Bowie's Praise
Greenhalgh shares that the track became a classic after David Bowie played it on his Radio 1 show Star Special and compared the Mekons to a young Marc Bolan. 'Bowie comparing us to T Rex? You couldn't get any better, really,' he says. The band never expected to still be playing the song live nearly 50 years later.
The Making of a Hit
Langford adds that he missed the first gig because he was in Wales, but the band originally performed under the name Dan Dare and the Mekons before shortening it. Where Were You? was written in the first three days of the band's existence and was initially intended as a B-side. However, slowing it down gave it a groove that clicked. At Spaceward, Kevin Lycett spent time perfecting the first chord to sound like a 'death knell,' and the soundman had to stand next to Langford to slow down his drum roll. The result was a 'freakishly good performance' that jumps out of the speakers.
The lyrics, influenced by Buzzcocks' Pete Shelley, are about loneliness: 'I was buying you a drink, where were you?' The song rejects the macho mentality of typical rock music, reflecting the band's feminist values. The sleeve art featured gold discs from a Gary Glitter annual, with Glitter's name Tipp-Exed out as an ironic statement on commercial success.
Lasting Legacy
About 10 years ago, the band received a substantial payment when the song was used in a Honda Acura advertisement. White noted that the money came because the current lineup kept playing the song, so the original members shared the royalties with the current band. 'It was really nice because it linked everyone together: Merry Christmas from Where Were You?' Langford says.
The dub version of the Mekons' album Horror, titled Horrorble, is set for release on 5 June.
