Jon Langford is responsible for way too much great art for you not to know who he is. To begin at the beginning, he’s one of two remaining original members of the Mekons, singing and playing guitar in the increasingly difficult-to-categorize onetime punk band he founded while studying art at the University of Leeds, England, in 1977. Their albums Fear and Whiskey and Edge of the World, from 1985 and 1986, respectively, were among…

There is nothing slow and steady about Middle Distance Runner. The local pop rockers have had quite an accelerated year of achievement and attention with the release of their debut album Plane In Flames back in June. It was a very promising record from a group of guys who have been playing together for a while but just recently started taking their work more seriously. And as a result, they have produced a collection of…

Earlier this summer, we also took a listen to the newest release from our Unbuckled headliners, Middle Distance Runner. Our Chris Snyder’s fondness for the album, Plane in Flames, has spread throughout the blogosphere. Even big timers like USA Today’s Pop Candy have taken notice of these local lads. Join us tomorrow night at Unbuckled to celebrate two years of DCist and this band on the rise. Until then, here’s what Chris had to say…

Middle Distance Runner’s first full length album may be entitled Plane in Flames, but their fusion of upbeat drum patterns, catchy guitar riffs, and haunting vocals from front man Stephen Kilroy do anything but crash and burn. “Naturally” has a solid hook that leads the listener in with its addicting, cleverly written pessimistic lyrics and rhythmic hand clapping. Surprisingly, the rest of the album veers away from the direction of this pop sound, with more…

Maryland Subdivision Goes Up in Flames, Arson to Blame: It appears that arson had a role to play in the fires that destroyed or damaged 30-some homes south of the city in an affluent Charles County subdivision early Monday morning. Since the homes were still under construction, there were no injuries. The FBI says it is looking into the possibility that environmental extremists could have played a role in the torching of the Hunters Brooke…