The Meatmen!

Biography

The Meatmen are an American punk band formed in Lansing, Michigan in 1981, fronted by Tesco Vee (born Robert Vermuellen), who also founded the influential Touch and Go Fanzine. The band originally operated from 1981 to 1997, establishing themselves as one of the most provocative and boundary-pushing acts in the hardcore punk scene. Their debut album, 'We're The Meatmen…and You Suck' (1983), immediately set the tone for their controversial approach to punk rock, combining aggressive musical delivery with deliberately offensive humor and shock value that distinguished them from their contemporaries.

Musically, The Meatmen evolved throughout their career, beginning as standard-issue hardcore punk and progressively incorporating influences from mid-80s speed metal and heavy metal aesthetics. The band became known for their theatrical live performances, elaborate costumes, and provocative stage antics. After disbanding in 1997, The Meatmen reformed in 2008 and have continued to tour and record, maintaining their reputation as one of punk rock's most uncompromising and outrageous acts. The band's lineup has consistently revolved around Tesco Vee's vision, with various musicians joining and departing throughout their history.

Fun Facts

• Tesco Vee was deeply connected to the early hardcore punk community, personally knowing influential figures including Jello Biafra (Dead Kennedys), Lee Ving (Fear), Keith Morris (Circle Jerks), and Henry Rollins (Black Flag), establishing The Meatmen as central figures in the punk ecosystem.
• The band performed regularly at Club DooBee in Haslett, Michigan during the early 1980s, which became a legendary venue for hardcore bands and attracted major acts of the era.
• The Meatmen's 1983 debut album title 'We're The Meatmen…and You Suck' became emblematic of their confrontational approach, setting a template for their provocative album and song titles throughout their career.
• In 1993, Tesco Vee formed a side project called Tesco Vee's Hate Police, during which he publicly distanced himself from the band's previous rock-oriented material, asking audiences to 'forget the last 8 years' of their heavier sound.

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Touch and Go Fanzine Community - Tesco Vee's involvement with the influential punk fanzine shaped the band's aesthetic and punk philosophy (Touch and Go Fanzine) [1980s onwards]

Key Collaborators

• Gang Green - Performed together, with Gang Green's Chris Doherty appearing on Meatmen recordings (Alcohol cover performance) [1994]
• Flesheaters - Musical connection and cross-pollination within the hardcore punk scene (Various performances) [1980s-1990s]

Artists Influenced

• Skate Punk and Hardcore Punk Scene - The Meatmen's theatrical approach and boundary-pushing humor influenced subsequent generations of punk and metal bands (Entire discography) [1980s-present]

Discography

Albums

Top Tracks

1. I'm Gonna Fuck You Up (Savage Sagas)
2. The Dwarves Are the 2nd Greatest Band in the World (Savage Sagas)
3. Men O Meat (Savage Sagas)
4. 1 Down 3 to Go (We're the Meatmen and You Suck)
5. It's Amateur Night at Uncle Bux Bikini Club (Savage Sagas)
6. Pope On A Rope (Pope On A Rope)
7. Pissed Hot for Weed (Savage Sagas)
8. I Want Drugs (Pope On A Rope)
9. We're The Meatmen And You Suck (Toilet Slave)
10. Tooling for Anus (We're the Meatmen and You Suck)

External Links

• Spotify
• [Wikipedia](Not found in search results)