Q and A: Link Meanie (The Meanies)

The chaos and carnage that ensued was the equivalent of playing halfback for the Melbourne Storm: a sweaty, physical affair that may or may not have relieved a good friend of mine of her front teeth, courtesy of a boot in the moosh.

Fine purveyors of said carnage were Melbourne’s own punkers, The Meanies. Along with Nursery Crimes and The Splatterheads, The Meanies’ shows were always a crazy treat and oft attended by yours truly. There was definitely blood spilt – not just from my friend’s mouth but from Meanies frontman Link also.

Still kicking goals and playing like their lives depend on  it, The Meanies have a new release and upcoming tour. I spoke with Link (real name Lindsay McLennan) about their new split single ‘Blacklist’.

Link Meanie: “I’m not very proactive about things apart from the actual writing and playing so I had nothing to do with it. Wally (Roderick Kempton) is the guy who makes all the behind the scenes magic happen. We saw them play and it was a great show and they were lovely guys so I guess that’s where the sperm entered the egg so to speak.  Yewww.”

LM: “Yeah, we’re all about the gimmicks. It was either that or a single cover that doubles as a tea cosy.”

LM: “That’s gonna be a hoot; it’s always nice doing shows with old comrades. We used to play together a lot in the early days and I assume some crazy shit is gonna happen …  scrabble – or some sort of crafts.”

LM: “When I’m lubricated on stage it’s like I’m only 45 but the next day I’m walking around like an 80-year-old. The years of broken bones etc. is catching up but I refuse to age gracefully.”

LM: “Yeah, once the music fires up it’s business as usual. Not quite as flexible as I used to be though.”

LM: “Yeah, my band Bagful Of Beez have just released a digital single (“Fever Dream”) to be followed by a couple more and then a vinyl LP later this year on Cheersquad and Desert Highways. Also, I do the odd Sun God Replica show and play live bass in Benny J and the Psych Ward.”

HM: OK, time for some hard hitting rock journalism …  what is your all-time desert island band or album ?

LM: “Bloody hell. Just one? Hard to go past the Beatles … maybe The White Album or maybe Rolling Stones, Sticky Fingers.” 

LM: “I’m traditionally an Essendon Bombers AFL supporter but I used to get too worked up watching it and decided quite a few years ago to back off it a bit after bursting a blood vessel in my eye. I still keep a side eye on it though.”