Mean Sweetie Final Show

On the evening of March 23, 2024, Greenville SC grunge/rock/punk band Mean Sweetie played their final show at the Melon Barn, a DIY music venue nestled in greater Greenville, SC.

Fans from Greenville and surrounding areas came to the barn to celebrate Mean Sweetie and all they have accomplished, with South Carolina bands Rocco and His Bones (Greenville Indie-Pop), Daisy Lace (Greenville Shoegaze), and Scrlett (Sumter Shoegaze).

I had the opportunity to talk to vocalist and guitarist, Finch Webster, about the final show and hear his thoughts regarding the time Mean Sweetie spent making music and playing shows.

A: For those that are new here, tell me about how Mean Sweetie evolved. What have been the highs and lows?

F: Mean sweetie started as a duo between Finch and Chapman. We met in gym class and have been playing music with eachother since we were 11. Brayden joined our band in 2022 on bass after our former bassist Harper left. There’s been many highs and lows, we initially had a lot of trouble booking shows because of our volume and age. Once we found the melon barn and the scene around it we started picking up more traction and connections. The highs have been meeting everyone in the scene and getting to learn about different people. Going on tour was a beautiful experience that we have been working towards since the beginning. that was definitely a big thing for us.

A: What are your favorite songs you’ve written and why?

F: My favorite songs I’ve written are for sure rot away or sugarcoat, they feel like the most “mean sweetie”songs to me. Girly will always have a special place in my heart being the first song me and Chapman wrote.

A: How are you feeling about your last show? Walk me through emotions the day of, during the show, and day after.

F: I’m super pleased with how the last show went. For sure an emotional night but full of love as always. It’s amazing seeing everyone who I’ve met and connected with in one place. There’s so many people in this scene who inspire me and generally just make happy. Everyone plays their own part in the scene so it’s a very magical thing to see all of that come together and work so well. I was for sure nervous before hand but more in an excited way. I truly love playing those songs. The feelings during the show are hard to describe. Watching some of my favorite bands before hand got me even more excited. For sure one of the wildest pits I have seen, it was so fun and really just felt like a good time. Day after has been really nice so far, I love seeing the pictures of all the bands and people having a good time.

A: What are the plans for everyone in the band now that Mean Sweetie is done?

F: The plans for us going forward is to all continue making music and follow our own paths. Some of us are going to school for music and some of us working. We will all be creating music and jamming together frequently. Just not as a group at the moment. We’re all still so tight as friends and ended our run with good spirits.

A: Lastly, what do you have to say to Mean Sweetie fans, both new and old, that supported you along the way?

F: To all of the fans, I can’t describe how much they have done for us. It truly wouldn’t have happened without these people showing up and dancing to our music. I have had the privilege of meeting so many of our fans and getting to know them individually. Everyone I’ve met has impacted me and taught me something about myself. I think that’s the beauty of this scene. We’re all alike and here for the same reason, to make art and enjoy the company of eachother. I can’t thank everyone enough for being themselves and supporting our music. I hope that the music has made many people happy, and I hope that anyone who came out to these shows knows that they have impacted us. I find myself being a fan of most of the fans, everyone in the scene is unique in their own way and it’s been a pleasure getting to know everyone.

From the bands:

Zac Dehlbom, Rocco and his Bones: “Mean Sweetie at the Melon Barn was our Green Day at Gilman. They write songs that are so good and so catchy, and they play them with so much energy that it’s hard not to love them. I know for sure they’ve inspired a lot of folks in the area to pick up instruments for themselves. RIP. I’m glad I was there for it though!”

Cameron Ellerbe, Scrlett: “Mean sweetie was the band that got me in the scene and they’ve been my greatest pals since, I’m glad to have met them cause their music has changed how I play and act at shows since, and to be as involved with them as I have being able to witness the milestones they’ve made as a band is a truly beautiful experience”

Filip Popovic, Daisy Lace: “Mean Sweetie was the band that got us into the scene here in greenville. Growing with them has been such a wonderful experience and it’s bittersweet to see them go. This last show was beautiful and I’m so glad we got to experience it, they have been some great buddies and inspired us endlessly. Long live mean sweetie!”