The Mekons

The Leeds U.K. premier avant-punk group's debut was released on the legendary Fast Product label -- the imprint that introduced a new brand of intelligent punk to the world in the form of debut singles from the Mekons and Gang of Four. "Never Been in a Riot" was, in fact, the title of the EP, yet the release is also known as simply Fast Product or Fast Product 1. The title track rails against the violence that was beginning to occur on the dancefloors and in the streets during the peak of the U.K. punk scene circa 1977 and the EP summons new directions in the genre -- marking a path that the Mekons would follow for the three ensuing decades. From these wild low-tech beginnings the group became one of the most inspired, long-standing, and brilliant groups in the post-punk canon. The B-side includes "32 Weeks" and "Heart and Soul," which make the EP as vital as Buzzcocks' Spiral Scratch, Alternative TV, and the Television Personalities' debut single in shaping a new direction in punk. ~ Skip Jansen, All Music Guide