The Meatmen | |
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Background information | |
Origin | Lansing, Michigan, United States |
Genres | Punk rock, hardcore punk, heavy metal |
Years active | 1981–1997, 2008–present |
Labels | Touch and Go, Homestead, Caroline, Meat King, Go-Kart, TKO, Self Destructo |
Associated acts | The Fix, Blight, Necros, Minor Threat, Negative Approach, Battalion of Saints, Chapstik |
Website | http://www.the-meatmen.com/ |
Members |
Tesco Vee Dan "Danny Dirtbag" Gillies John "Swarthy 'Bun-Length' Franklin" Lehl Kevin "Hindu Kush" Roberts |
Past members | Rich Ramsey Jim Forgey Mr. X Gregg Ramsey Mike Achtenburg Berl Johnson Todd Swalla Brian Baker Lyle Preslar Graham McCulloch Eric Zelsdorf James Cooper Stuart Casson Mark "Gooly" Kermanj Norman Voss Mark Davis Mark Glass Rob San Pietro Ian "The Pit Viper" Sugierski Dave Malosh Andy "Lord Vapid" Lucas Leighton Mann |
The Meatmen are an American punk band headed by Tesco Vee, originally existing from 1981 to 1997. They were known for their outrageous stage antics and offensive lyrics. They reformed in 2008 and continue to tour and record.
The Meatmen formed in Lansing, Michigan in 1981. The original band, existing with various lineups for approximately two years, first comprised vocalist Tesco Vee (AKA Robert Vermeulen), guitarist Rich Ramsey, bassist Jim Forgey and drummer Mr. X.
The Meatmen made their recorded debut with the song "Meatmen Stomp", which appeared on the 1981 7" compilation EP Process of Elimination, released in 1981 on Touch and Go Records (an offshoot of Touch and Go fanzine, which Vee co-founded in 1979).
The band's first 7" EP, Blüd Sausage, was released in 1982 on Touch and Go. By this time, Gregg Ramsey had joined on guitar, with his brother Rich switching to bass, replacing Forgey. For their second EP, Crippled Children Suck, issued later that same year, Vee and Rich Ramsey (now on guitar) were joined by two new members, bassist Mike Achtenburg (formerly of the Fix) and drummer Berl Johnson. Also in 1982, Vee and Achtenberg played in the brief punk supergroup Blight.
In 1983, the Meatmen issued a full-length album, We're the Meatmen...and You Suck!!, compiling the first EP on side A, and live material recorded at New York City's Mudd Club on side B.
Vee then relocated from Michigan to Washington D.C., releasing the 1984 EP, Dutch Hercules, credited to Tesco Vee and the Meatkrew, before reforming the Meatmen with a rotating cast of members including Todd Swalla of Necros and Brian Baker and Lyle Preslar of Minor Threat. During this period, the band changed their approach dramatically to a more heavy metal sound.