With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
They Came From the Deep: The Mermen Resurface in Redondo
Post by Jack Skelly/Special to LAist/ Photos by Blake Ferris and Chris Kim A for LAist
The Mermen are not your everyday psychedelic surf band. Returning to L.A. last Thursday for the first time in half a decade to play Brixton at Redondo Beach pier, the San Francisco trio offered gleaming, kaleidoscopic, hard-edged, instrumental pearls.
Several numbers stretched up to 10-minutes or more, but you'd never call The Mermen a jam band. The songs are far-too intricately structured for that. A new piece, "Last Forever," exhibited an almost classical elegance, while older favorites -- including "With No Definite Future and No Purpose Other Than to Prevail Somehow..." -- were deeply emotional in the warmth of this little club. And The Mermen's material forges hybrid genres: wagon- train/sea-shanty/stomp. Trapeze-act/lullabye-waltz.
It's all drenched in several coats of gurgling reverb and vibrato, and flowing with classic surf beats from drummer Martyn Jones and bassist Allen Whitman. But guitarist Jim Thomas coaxes an incredible range from his instrument: Everything from baroque-ish chord melodies to howling, apocalyptic feedback. It's no exageration to say he belongs in the guitar-god pantheon. The Mermen should wash up on our shoes more often.
At LAist, we believe in journalism without censorship and the right of a free press to speak truth to those in power. Our hard-hitting watchdog reporting on local government, climate, and the ongoing housing and homelessness crisis is trustworthy, independent and freely accessible to everyone thanks to the support of readers like you.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
The L.A. County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday voted to declare immigration enforcement actions a local emergency. -
Tens of thousands of workers across Southern California walk out over pay and staffing issues. -
People in and around recent burn scars should be alert to the risk of debris flows. Typical October weather will be back later this week. -
Jet Propulsion Laboratory leadership says the cuts amount to 11% of the workforce. -
The rock legend joins LAist for a lookback on his career — and the next chapter of his music. -
Yes, it's controversial, but let me explain.
Best of LAist