Mecca Normal
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Mecca Normal is an influential two-piece indie rock band from Vancouver, Canada. Formed by Jean Smith and David Lester in 1981, Mecca Normal is considered one of the archetypal, pioneering leaders of the riot grrrl movement. Smith writes lyrics and sings in a style that is often confrontational and laced with feminist themes; Lester's melodic yet dissonant guitar swirls and loops around her vocals. Merging the personal with the political in their songs and art-related activism, they helped define the sound and spirit of the early diy/ indie rock/riot grrrl movement alongside bands such as Beat Happening and Bikini Kill. Indeed, they are perhaps the only band to have full-length releases on three of the largest indie labels of the 90s: K Records, Kill Rock Stars and Matador Records. They also had a 7" single released by Sub Pop. In the 80s they formed their own record label, Smarten Up!, which later merged with Lester's small press publishing company Get To The Point to form Smarten Up! And Get To The Point. Both Smith and Lester have produced work as visual artists and writers: as writers, Smith is primarily a novelist and Lester is primarily a poet. Their visual artwork includes "Inspired Agitators" - a series of posters by Lester profiling specific left-wing activists. Smith also formed 2 Foot Flame with Peter Jefferies. 2 Foot Flame released two LPs on Matador Records, 1995's self-titled LP, and 1997's Ultra Drowning. Smith has also performed and recorded as a solo artist.
[edit] Discography
- self-titled Smarten Up! 1986
- Calico Kills The Cat K Records 1989
- Water Cuts My Hands K Records 1991
- Dovetail K Records 1992
- Jarred Up K Records 1993
- Flood Plain K Records 1993
- Sitting On Snaps Matador Records 1995
- The Eagle And The Poodle Matador Records 1996
- Who Shot Elvis? Matador Records 1997
- The Family Swan Kill Rock Stars 2002
- Janis Zeppelin Smarten Up! 2003
- The Observer Kill Rock Stars 2006
