Music

HIGH FIVES: Propagandhi

by Sam Sutherland

Every week, High Fives asks five bands five themed questions over five days. This week, we’re continuing to prepare for the Great Holiday Onslaught by talking about holidays, tobogganing, and themed movie marathons.

On our final holiday-themed High Five, we’re pleased to present to you the best active punk band in Canada, Winnipeg’s Propagandhi. Formed in the wilds of Manitoba at the end of the ‘80s, Propagandhi would become one of the first four bands signed to this weird little California label called Fat Wreck Chords, releasing their first full-length, How To Clean Everything, in 1993. They put out another record of politicized pop-punk in 1996 before disappearing for five years and reemerging as some kind of monstrous crossover killing machine, decimating their wimpy old material with new shit that sounded like a radical left-wing Hüsker Dü mixed with Technocracy-era Corrosion of Conformity. Since then, the band has continued to hone their mix of ‘80s metal and pop tendencies, along with their pointed political message, issuing two records of some of the most intelligent punk ever produced in this fair land. Somehow able to address everything from Don Cherry’s big mouth to the use of video games for military recruitment with equal parts clarity and poetry, Propagandhi have succeeded in being a politically outspoken band that also thrashes fucking hard and invites opposing viewpoints into their world. And last week, they released a split 7” with their heroes (check “The Banger’s Embrace from last year’s Supporting Caste for proof), Toronto thrash legends, Sacrifice.

Do you celebrate any holidays during The Holidays?

I like to celebrate the birth of the mythical savior Jesus Christ – who preached justice for the poor – by going to a mall and buying toxic gadgets that will end up in a landfill in a few years, thereby killing the earth and making rich people richer. It’s a family tradition and no one is going to take that away from me. Not Osama bin Laden, not David Suzuki, not anyone.

What is the best holiday song, or holiday record?

Rob [from Sacrifice] stole my answer (“No Presents for Christmas” by King Diamond), so I’m forced to go with “Black Xmas” from Venom’s Calm Before the Storm LP.

Forced to program a day-long marathon consisting of only one holiday movie (like they do with A Christmas Story every year), what film would you choose, and why?

Captain Ron, no contest. Not specifically a Christmas movie, but one of the greatest movies ever made.

Were you ever forced to dress up in a particularly adorable / foolish way as a child around this time of year?

I dressed pretty much the same way every day as a child that I dress now. So yes, I did look foolish.

Is tobogganing a great way to spend your time over the holidays, or the greatest?

I won’t lie, it’s great. Except when you have diarrhea. Then it’s the greatest.

How over this are you?

Over what? This interview? I will NEVER be over interviews with Sam Sutherland.