Mecca Normal - "From the Surface" 7"

Mecca Normal – “From the Surface” 7”

Dionysus, 1992

Acquired: Love Garden, Used, 2009

Price: $1

 

Despite the group’s sprawling discography and affiliation with my beloved K Records, this is the first time I’ve ever listened to Mecca Normal. For some reason I was expecting grungy dude rock a la early 90s Washington, but Mecca Normal operate more in the realm of Sleater-Kinney and Bikini Kill with some big time Riot Grrl tendencies. Which is awesome. Both “From the Surface” and b-side “Upside Down Flame” are brief, lo-fi tunes featuring only guitar and vocals. Fortunately, there is a nice contrast between the grungy and distorted A-side and the gentler b-side (though the chorus of “Upside Down Flame” turns the song into a snarl). The sparse tracks have a lot in common with Beat Happening, which makes sense as the 7” was co-recorded by Calvin Johnson.

"From the Surface"
 
From the Surface from Mecca Normal on Myspace.

"Upside Down Flame"

Upside Down Flames from Mecca Normal on Myspace.