"The Mekano Set get us all worked up with the promise of a song called 'Dirty Hand Job', and then totally spoil the mood by being goths... about as menacing as a Crow soundtrack." Emily Mackay.*
Fuelled by a love of extremes, dry humour, dirty bass-lines and swirling white-noise guitars; merging 80's alternative rock and Post Punk sensibilities with modern-day bass / beat driven music, The Mekano Set, smirking at genre.
Having achieved, entirely without the aid of any form of corporate funding or mis-management: international airplay, hi-praise from the independant and mainstream press (everything from Kerrang to The Times), a BBC TV appearance (performing at the prestigious Shepherds Bush Hall in support of Iranian musicians Font and long-term collaborator Sahara Ezzi). The Mekano Set continue to remain a wilfully independent group.
"Slick spiky electronic rock that screams darkness beneath a seemingly delicate exterior." Natasha Scharf, Metal Hammer.
Initially the obsession of the 'Gothic Foghorn' voiced Milk ("we wanted to be Curve basically. But we also wanted to put Massive Attack through a fuzz pedal, with a load of bass end, and use a load of sounds that aren't music"), The Mekano Set embraces an ecclectic lineup and collaborate with artists from across the globe. A Nation of Nomads, making music, sound, and noise. Or as guitarist Lee puts it: "Nihilism you can dance to."
The Mekano Set features the sounds, efforts and attentions of:
Milk: voice / baritone guitar / beats.
Lee: guitar / electric 12 string guitar.
Justine: bass / vocals.
Sahara Ezzi: bass / vocals.
Beth Rettig (Blindness): vocals, sampled flute, acoustic guitar, fx, baked goods and immoral support.
Nigel (John Table ): guitar, synth, live loopage and humours.
Jo Staples (appearing as herself): mellodika, cello, megaphone, Casio VL Tone, Rhodes, artistic mis-direction.
Patrick Crean: bass, Dublin Bass, sensibilities.
Ania (T.S.R / Songs from the Shows): drums, drum-stick guitar.
Austin (The Stuns): guitars.
Catherine Madden: Security and Sensibilities.
Amber: Our US Rep.
Bookings / press: mysteriouspackages@mekanoset.net
The Mekano Set like Curve, New Order, The Chameleons, Talk Talk,
Kate Bush, Improv, Reverse-Reverb, Feedback, Beats and Bass riffs.
MENU / TWITTER / FACEBOOK GROUP / PRESS / ELEMENTARY RECORDINGS PAGE /
THESIXTYONE / BLOG / LIVE DATES / BIOGRAPHY / FLICKR / MYSPACE
STORE / ITUNES / SPOTIFY / GROOVESHARK / BANDCAMP
info@mekanoset.net
Increasing amounts of output available via Bandcamp,
Soundcloud, iTunes Store and Emusic
+
Some rare gems via Grooveshark
WOULD YOU LIKE TO KNOW MORE?
MENU / TWITTER / FACEBOOK GROUP / PRESS / ELEMENTARY RECORDINGS PAGE / THESIXTYONE / BLOG / LIVE DATES / BIOGRAPHY / FLICKR / MYSPACE
STORE / ITUNES / SPOTIFY / GROOVESHARK / BANDCAMP
info@mekanoset.net
*NME / Stool Pigeon journalist Ms Mackay went on to criticize our "electro" tendencies, and our blatant use of what she thought was synthesizers. She also described non-existent photos of us standing outside a church wearing long black coats.
More recently, Ms Mackay wrote an article singing the praises of this new band she'd just discovered who go by the name of Ladytron. She didn't comment on their fondness for crushed black velvet, goth haircuts, pointy shoes, or their occasional use of synthesizing keyboards.
The Mekano Set, in association with DesertSpoon Discs, Elementary Recordings, Train of Thought and Rock and Roll Sweatbox. Photography © copyright MsDee + Beatniksoup