The New Mendicants

The New Mendicants

The New Mendicants are a group formed in late 2012 by Joe Pernice of Pernice Brothers, Norman Blake of Teenage Fanclub and Mike Belitsky. The line-up is centred on those three musicians, with Belitsky listed as a member and noted for his drumming work with acts including The Sadies and Neko Case. The group is active from 2013 onwards and is based in the United Kingdom.

The name refers to the Mendicant Friars, a Catholic order whose members live on charity. The project begins as a collaboration between musicians who are all living in Ontario, and it takes shape as a band rather than as any of the other ideas jokingly mentioned around its formation, such as a construction company, a cabal or a bobsled team.

Early release

The New Mendicants’ first release is the limited-edition six-song Australia 2013 E.P., issued in February 2013. It includes three new songs, two versions of songs that Joe Pernice and Norman Blake have previously performed themselves, and a cover of INXS’s “This Time”. The EP is assembled so that Pernice and Blake have material to sell on their January and February 2013 tour of Australia.

Formation

The project starts with touring plans, and Belitsky joins after the initial idea is already in place. According to the band’s manager Joyce Linehan, he is not present on the first day when the tour is planned and the flights are booked, but joins on the seventh day.