Last Saturday, The Marked Men played what will probably be their last show ever (or at least their last for a few years). It was a simultaneously joyous and sad occasion, as most final shows for beloved bands are, and by the end of their freight-train of a set, I was left damn-near breathless.
I really hate the list-mania so prevalent in music writing and general blogarrhea, but fuck it, I’ll fall into the trap: The Marked Men are one of the 10 best bands from the state of Texas, ever. They’re in league with the 13th Floor Elevators, ZZ Top, Bedhead, and Scratch Acid, and their 2nd album, On The Outside, is nearly perfect from start to finish. They embodied the best parts of garage/pop-punk (tunefulness, brevity) and did it with more energy and obsessive devotion to quality than almost anyone else going. All of this, combined with a reverence and true understanding of pop music created something far more special than a tossed-off “Dickies Meets Hot Snakes” comparison. They were, to me, the embodiment of a perfect band.
So yeah, I will miss this band like few others. To re-use a quote from Adam Reach in the Silkworm documentary trailer: in 20 years, if people aren’t freaking out about The Marked Men, I’m going to go on a killing spree. I’ve rarely been prouder of my town and my state than last Saturday night. Thanks for doing your thing, Marked Men.
giving the marked men a shot. decided to start from the beginning and i purchased the s/t off itunes. as someone who enjoys DdFW music, I’m sad to hear i missed them- especially with how greatly you feel about them.