THE MEKONS – THE QUALITY OF MERCY IS NOT STRNEN

After two singles for Fast Product, Leeds art-punk collective The Mekons signed with Virgin Records in 1979. The band would have to borrow gear from their mates Gang Of Four to record their major label debut. In classic Mekons style, the album’s back cover featured a photo of Gang Of Four instead of themselves. Forty years later, these post-punk pioneers are still performing. As Jon Langford quipped, “the secret of our success is our lack of success.” Clad in one of the most striking record covers of its era, The Quality Of Mercy Is Not Strnen is now available in the US for the first time. Liner notes by Simon Reynolds.