Four years after first performing the music of the Mekons in concert, Will Oldham and Angel Olsen's tribute project Chivalrous Amoekons have announced their debut release. The cleverly titled Fanatic Voyage arrives on vinyl, cassette and as a digital download September 16 via Sea Note/Palace Records, in conjunction with Drag City.
A press release explains that Chivalrous Amoekons' ranks include Oldham, Olsen, Cairo Gang leader Emmett Kelly, Ben Boye, Van Campbell and Danny Kiely. The group first united to tour as Oldham's Bonnie "Prince" Billy backup band in 2012, but they secretly prepped a series of Mekons covers as a secondary set. The tribute act made their live debut in Zurich, Switzerland.
The band's collection of country/punk-minded covers begins with a take on "The Curse," originally from 1991's The Curse of the Mekons, but also reconfigures tracks from 1985's Fear and Whiskey ("Chivalry," "Last Dance") and 1989's The Mekons Rock'n'Roll ("I Am Crazy"), among others.
The tracklisting switches up a bit between formats, with the Chivalrous Amoekons-delivered versions of "Revenge" and "Powers & Horror" appearing exclusively on the cassette edition. You'll find the full tracklisting info down below.
It's added that Oldham's appreciation for the Mekons began many years ago, with his old Palace Brothers having recorded a track called "For the Mekons, et al" for Drag City's Hey Drag City compilation from 1994. The song would reappear as the A-side of a Palace 7-inch in 1996.
You can pre-order Fanatic Voyage over here at Drag City. The press release explains, "In the spirit of the Mekons to pay forward with all efforts to the next generation, proceeds from the sale of these recordings will go to the Roots of Music in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Roots of Music empowers local youth through music education, academic support and mentor-ship while preserving and promoting the unique music and cultural heritage of their city."
Fanatic Voyage:
1. The Curse
2. Love Letter
3. Big Zombie
4. Powers & Horror (cassette-only)
5. (Sometimes I Feel Like) Fletcher Christian
6. Thee Olde Trip to Jerusalem
7. I Am Crazy
8. Last Dance
9. Fantastic Voyage
10. Revenge (cassette-only)
11. One x One
12. Chivalry
A press release explains that Chivalrous Amoekons' ranks include Oldham, Olsen, Cairo Gang leader Emmett Kelly, Ben Boye, Van Campbell and Danny Kiely. The group first united to tour as Oldham's Bonnie "Prince" Billy backup band in 2012, but they secretly prepped a series of Mekons covers as a secondary set. The tribute act made their live debut in Zurich, Switzerland.
The band's collection of country/punk-minded covers begins with a take on "The Curse," originally from 1991's The Curse of the Mekons, but also reconfigures tracks from 1985's Fear and Whiskey ("Chivalry," "Last Dance") and 1989's The Mekons Rock'n'Roll ("I Am Crazy"), among others.
The tracklisting switches up a bit between formats, with the Chivalrous Amoekons-delivered versions of "Revenge" and "Powers & Horror" appearing exclusively on the cassette edition. You'll find the full tracklisting info down below.
It's added that Oldham's appreciation for the Mekons began many years ago, with his old Palace Brothers having recorded a track called "For the Mekons, et al" for Drag City's Hey Drag City compilation from 1994. The song would reappear as the A-side of a Palace 7-inch in 1996.
You can pre-order Fanatic Voyage over here at Drag City. The press release explains, "In the spirit of the Mekons to pay forward with all efforts to the next generation, proceeds from the sale of these recordings will go to the Roots of Music in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Roots of Music empowers local youth through music education, academic support and mentor-ship while preserving and promoting the unique music and cultural heritage of their city."
Fanatic Voyage:
1. The Curse
2. Love Letter
3. Big Zombie
4. Powers & Horror (cassette-only)
5. (Sometimes I Feel Like) Fletcher Christian
6. Thee Olde Trip to Jerusalem
7. I Am Crazy
8. Last Dance
9. Fantastic Voyage
10. Revenge (cassette-only)
11. One x One
12. Chivalry
