The Meanies Essentials

Despite their menacing name, The Meanies are softies at heart. This quartet barrelled out of Melbourne with a charmingly ramshackle mix of ‘70s punk, ‘80s hardcore and ‘90s indie rock—but even in their most frenzied, chaotic moments, they always give you a sturdy hook to grab onto. While the 1992 salvo “Gangrenous” is powered by furious jackhammered beats and buzzsaw riffage, the band turn its unpleasant title into a sweetly slackadasical chorus. And the crunchy, Sex Pistols-via-Beastie Boys fist-pumper “Sorry ‘Bout the Violence” could be the cheeriest, cheekiest song you'll ever hear about punching people in the face.