Propagandhi

Propagandhi are a classic band. They formed what would revolutionize what we know as punk rock in 1986. In 1997 Propagandhi recruited The Rod from a band called I SPY. Propagandhi and I SPY had previously toured Western Canada, and released a split 10" record together. The band released 4 records on the American label Fat Wreck Chords until 2005 when its relationship with the label began to sour over its CEO’s highly-publicized campaign to ensure that Democratic Party got a turn to totally rape and plunder the planet in the service of corporate power.

Feeling a little too much a part of the scenery, the band pulled a Peter Gabriel and stepped right out of the machinery for much of 2005, focusing band energy on volunteering and fundraising projects for groups such as Sage House, Sisters in Spirit, Middle East Children’s Alliance, the Grassy Narrows Blockade, the Sea Shepherd Society, the Canada-Haiti Action Network and Welcome Place. In 2006, the band became a 4-piece for the first time 20 years, adding David “Beaver” Guillas to the fold, whose previous posts included masterminding the legendary, meditative, experimental instrumental trio, Giant Sons, who Hannah described as “the best band in Winnipeg since I Spy called it a day”.

In 2006, the band were nominated for — and actually somehow won — the inaugural ECHO Songwriting Prize for the song “A Speculative Fiction”, from the album Potemkin City Limits. The band responded, “awards are like hemorroids: eventually every asshole gets one” and promptly donated the award money to the Canada-Haiti Action Network (a pro-democracy, anti-imperialist project) and the Welcome Place (a refugee support agency in central Winnipeg).= In 2007, Hannah was voted one of the Worst Canadians in History by a journal published by Canada’s National History Society. He actually beat out current Canadian prime-minister/ living jack-ass Stephen Harper and notorious serial-killer Paul Bernardo. Hannah demanded a recount when it was announced he came in 2nd to former Prime Minister (and current dead guy) Pierre Elliot Trudeau.

In 2008, Chris went on sabbatical from G7 Welcoming Committee Records, meaning that for the first time in 11 years, Propagandhi would receive the undivided attention and energy the band felt the project deserved. Nine months later the band completed their 5th full-length album entitled “Supporting Caste”, a 50,000 watt no-holds-barred, forward-thinking tip-of-the-hat to the giants — Voivod, Rush, NoMeansNo, SNFU, Sacrifice, Razor, Guilt Parade — that have gone before them. In 2009, stoked beyond reason with their new tunes and line-up, Propagandhi plan to tour more than they have in their entire history with the express purpose of maligning the prevailing order(s). They are currently practicing the art of cannibalism and will soon release a cookbook of finger-licking recipes.

i spy, a wilhelm scream, heartsounds