Dead right?

No more ridiculous than chasing yesteryear's mythological 'proper' job

"The positive thing about being in a band in 1992 is that these days songwriting seems no more ridiculous a career move than chasing yesteryear's mythological 'proper' job (of which Undertaking arguably remains the last shining example.)"

1. Firstly, thanks are in order for all those who contributed to the success of our recent Shareware release. Some choice responses included:

'The concept is better than their rather plodding guitar-rock.' Adam Sweeting (The Guardian)

'Very interesting.' Diane Young (Sony S2)

'One of the best things to happen to the world since the Versailles Peace Conference' Kirsty Reade (Staffs)

' I would have preferred to have heard a real brass section instead of the trusted Bontempi' Lee Scrivens (MK Gazette)

'Most convincing, and indeed I will now believe Milton Keynes has more to offer than just Concrete cows'
Toni Rodgers (Sky Magazine)

'Ablemesh REFUSED to send me a photograph and copy of their latest demo, suggesting I HIRE it from the library!'
Jon Brett (MK Citizen)

'Aural terrorists' Terry Staunton (NME)

'Had a lot of charm....I just don't feel it would stand a chance in the 'Song for Europe' surroundings.'
Gerald Mahlowe (Grass Roots Publishing)

2. 1992 has been kind to Mesh. We had some memorable gigs, our favorite at Chinnor village Rock Club where we turned a 'difficult' audience by announcing that our final number was inspired by Henry Rollins - stage diving ensued combined with fervent requests that we 'play another Black Flag one'! Then there was the playlisting of 'Made' on Horizon Radio after a couple of our biggest fans got us in the NME gossip by hijacking the local airwaves to play the debut EP. Then stickers with 'Able Mesh Accepted Here' started appearing in local shop windows, many remaining to this day. And we went out live in session on BBC Radio Northants at 2 o'clock in the afternoon and got asked to play in Stony Stratford high street to celebrate the turning on of the Christmas lights. Then singer Gordon managed to join the PRS and found time to edit local independent Arts mag 'Concrete & Play' with band drummer and photographer Wig, before co-ordinating the musical side of the unusually successful Milton Keynes Music Festival at the mini-bowl. Oh, and he got his leg fixed (still dodgy after his Vespa was rammed by a lorrry in 1990) in grand style, by insisting on becoming the first person in the world to have a chunk of his shoulder blade grafted into his smashed shin. Wig went off to Germany in pursuit of more skate photography, bass player Andy went to America in search of adventure and guitarist Sean discovered the pleasures of detuning. Then we thought to write and release some songs for Christmas...and foolishly forgot to include the obligatory sleigh bell samples.

3. Fecund, the third independent release (available from Dec 1st), consolidates the work of Mesh, and concludes the band's much applauded 'bland' period. In the tradition of Shareware, the nine tracks are available on a small number of CD's which the listener is encouraged to copy onto the format of his choice and pass on. Cassette copies can be secured by sending a chrome C60 and SAE to Mesh, 7 Augustus Rd... Future releases promise to be considerably less listener friendly.

A permanent CD copy of Fecund resides at MK County Library.

Ends | 3 Jan 1993 | Republished Aug 2017