photos by Toby Tenenbaum

After much ado, The Modern Weepers revealed themselves on stage at Mercury Lounge in NYC on Friday night (5/27). Gary Dibble was in fact Mike Myers who was accompanied by Fred Armisen. A member of Morningwood One more band member (Wilder Zoby has emailed to say he was never in Morningwood) (someone I had no reason to doubt told me he was a member of Morningwood) rounded out the trio. Toby's take:

The Modern Weepers is a very funny sketch paradoy on the new wave movement from the 80's featuring amusing song titles like "Don't Ask Me Personal Questions On the Dancefloor". Both Mike Myers and Fred Amrisen donned accurate Mancunian and Cockney accents respectively never once breaking character. Their elaborate hits of the synth percussion were accompanied by emphatic and intense stares and lighting blasts to create the dramatic effect so typical of early 80's new wave. . Lively crowd enjoyed the humor. They played for about 35 minutes total and abruptly left the stage.

Neckebeard Telecaster opened the show with help from a a boys choir. To quote "Anonymous," "Spike Jonze was filming the whole concert (both onstage and in the crowd). Half the cast of SNL was in the crowd."

More pictures of the show (what Toby could get before he was beat down by the Modern Weepers security brigade), and audio of one song, and the full setlist, below...

Continue reading "The Modern Weepers revealed themselves @ Mercury Lounge (pics, setlist & even some audio)"

by Bill Pearis

This is sure to add to the conspiracy theory that we somehow knew who the Modern Weepers were before the now infamous post asking that very question went live, but I promise you we did not. While there has been no official confirmation of their identities, most seem to think it's Fred Armisen and Mike Myers (and a third unkown member). We'll know for sure tonight when the band plays Mercury Lounge.

Since our postings, Modern Weepers management contacted us, asking if we'd like to interview Gary Dibble, the main Weeper, via email. Of course we said yes. Basing questions solely on the bio given on Mercury Lounge's website -- and a few assumptions -- we submitted the following 11 questions, and here are Dibble's responses. The sense of humor does seem familiar...

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BrooklynVegan: Your bio says you're "Well travelled and well known in [your] native England" yet we've never heard of you. Why is that? Do you have records out?

Gary Dibble: Actually, there was already a "Modern Weepers" in America, with the late Nipsey Russell. People kept coming to our shows shouting, "We want Nipsey!" Of course, "nipsey" in Manchester, means a hand-job, so you can see it was a bit confusing. Legally we had to become The Modern Weepers UK. Which is a bit like kissing your sister. Eventually, the Nipsey Russell estate released the name "Modern Weepers," allowing us to debut in America. But we did have to give them a handjob.

continued below...

Continue reading "an interview w/ Gary Dibble of the Modern Weepers"

The Strut writes...

"There has been much speculation over who is playing the mysterious May 27th Mercury Lounge show under the moniker 'The Modern Weepers.' The answer?...

Reputable sources confirm it is some sort of comedy supergroup featuring Mike Myers and Fred Armisen. Details beyond that remain unclear at this point. Who else will be in the band? What will they play? Will they ask any musician friends to join them? Waynes World reunion? It may have something to do with Mike Myers' upcoming "Untitled Keith Moon Project.""

PREVIOUSLY: Who are the Modern Weepers???

After a week of research with no leads, I'm now asking you... Who are The Modern Weepers? According to Mercury Lounge's website (they play there on May 27th)...

"The Modern Weepers are a three piece band from Manchester, England. Well travelled and well known in their native England, The Modern Weepers continue to thrill audiences and critics alike with their electronic melodies and classic Mope Rock lyrics. Led by Mancunian frontman Gary Dibble and co frontman "Hugh," they are backed up by the American Chet Skinship on keyboards. Since Gary's recent release from Her Majesty's Prison in Wormwood Scrubs for political protests (Miners strike) and "Hugh's" "acquittal" on morals charges, the Modern Weepers will begin their 10 city USA tour on Friday, May 27th at New York City's prestigious Mercury Lounge."

Whoever they are, tickets are on sale.