POP MUSIC REVIEW : Mekons’ Uninspired Showing

On record, the Mekons have long spewed a heady brew-ha-ha of anti-politricks, provocative/evocative lyrics and multiethnic, punk ‘n’ country licks.

On stage Friday at the Lingerie, the English sextet chucked all this promise into a shapeless, colorless, characterless, waaahhh of sound, obliterating the lyrics--and almost everything else that makes them interesting in the first place.

Part of the problem was in the sound mix itself, but most of the difficulties stemmed from the band’s ham-fisted attack, dispirited stage presence and lack of a commanding vocalist.

Nevertheless, the hour-plus set was not without its highlights: the tropical, topical “(Sometimes I Feel Like) Fletcher Christian” from the group’s latest, highly recommendable “So Good It Hurts” LP, and femme vocalist Sally Timms’ version of Mick & Keef’s old “Heart of Stone,” hiply sung in the first person without changing the sexes of the characters.

Maybe they weren’t exactly inspired by the thrill of playing to a half-full house. Maybe they really need the extra keyboards, guitars, voices, accordion, etc., heard on the record. (Four members were left off the Colonies touring version of the band because of budget limitations.) Or maybe it was just a bad night.