Propagandhi

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Propagandhi
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The image above is believed to be a replaceable fair use image. It will be deleted on 2006-12-19 if not determined to be irreplaceable. If you believe this image is not replaceable, follow the instructions on the image page to dispute this assertion.
Background information
Origin Canadian flag Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Genre(s) Punk rock, Thrash metal
Years active 1986–present
Label(s) G7 Welcoming Committee, Fat Wreck Chords
Website http://www.propagandhi.com/
Members
David "The Beaver" Guillas
Chris Hannah
Todd "The Rod" Kowalski
Jord Samolesky

Propagandhi is a political punk rock/thrash band formed in Winnipeg, Manitoba in 1986 by Chris Hannah and Jord Samolesky.

The band are known for championing various left-wing causes. They have taken an active stance against human rights violations, racism, homophobia, imperialism, fascism, and capitalism. The band supports the vegan lifestyle and animals rights campaigns.

Contents

[edit] History

[edit] Early Years: pre-Fat Wreck, How to Clean Everything, and Less Talk, More Rock

In the mid-80s, Samolesky and Hannah recruited original bassist Scott Hopper via a "bassist wanted" flyer they posted in a local record shop. Hopper was replaced around the turn of the decade by Mike Braumeister. This was the first lineup to perform live. After several demos and larger shows, including one with Fugazi, made a name for the band, Braumeister moved to Vancouver and a young musician with an inclination towards poetry named John K. Samson became the band's third bassist.

In 1992, Propagandhi played a show with California punk-rock band NOFX. NOFX's singer, Fat Mike, asked them to come to L.A. to record what would become their first album, How To Clean Everything. The album was released on Fat Mike's record label, Fat Wreck Chords, in 1993.

The band spent the next three years touring and enjoying the popularity provided by the explosion in popularity of punk-rock in the mid 1990's. In 1996 they recorded and released their second album, Less Talk, More Rock, also on Fat Wreck Chords. The album title was a joke, as Propagandhi were well known for going into lengthy rants during their live performances. The album was, if anything, more out-spoken than its predecessor, with song titles including: "Apparently I'm a P.C. Fascist (Because I Care About Both Human and Non-Human Animals)", "Nailing Descartes To The Wall / (Liquid) Meat Is Still Murder," and "... And We Thought That Nation States Were a Bad Idea."

[edit] Intermediary Period: G7 Records and Where Quantity is Job #1

After Less Talk, More Rock was released, bassist John K. Samson decided to quit the band and form The Weakerthans. Chris and Jord founded the record label G7 Welcoming Committee Records (which released the Weakerthans' first album). The label name is a tongue-in-cheek reference to the band members' dislike for the G7 (which has since become the G8). The label's economic structure is based upon the one proposed in Robin Hahnel and Michael Albert's Parecon, and was initially started thanks to a $50,000 loan from Fat Mike. During this time, Propagandhi released a collection of demos, alternate takes, covers and live songs called Where Quantity is Job #1. New bassist Todd Kowalski, formerly of the bands I Spy and Swallowing Shit, was hired to replace Samson.

[edit] Later Years: Today's Empires, Tomorrow's Ashes

After four years, Propagandhi released their third full-length album, Today's Empires, Tomorrow's Ashes. The album was a major departure from their previous works. The song titles and lyrics of Today's Empires, Tomorrow's Ashes furthered the sphere of their political views, bolstered by the addition of the song-writing styles of Todd. The album built upon a heavier, speedier, and more contemporary punk sound, almost working with metal-like riffs. The album also included enhanced CD-ROM with political videos and essays concerning such topics as COINTELPRO and the Black Panther Party.

[edit] Recent Developments: Potemkin City Limits and "Glen Lambert"

Propagandhi released its newest album, Potemkin City Limits on October 18, 2005. The album was something of a logical stylistic evolution from their past CDs: the songs now somewhat slower and longer, with more of an 80's metal influence. The subject matters of the songs became, yet again more distinct and far reaching than those on How to Clean Everything. Like Today's Empire's, Tomorrow's Ashes, the album has multimedia content, with a number of Adobe PDF files on topics such as Parecon and veganism and a site featuring links to websites of organizations Propagandhi supports. It does not, however, include any videos, as their previous album had.

Chris Hannah adopted the pseudonym "Glen Lambert" for use during the release of Potemkin City Limits, causing a great deal of confusion among less-observant fans, reviewers, and commentators. While all the band members had used pseudonyms on all the previous releases and continued the tradition with Potemkin City Limits, in September 2005, G7 Welcoming Committee had jokingly announced that Chris had left the band in 2003, and the remaining members had found a replacement in one Glen Lambert, formerly of the Portage Terriers. This claim was quickly revealed to be untrue through a multitude of sources, but many fans, not realizing it was all a hoax, were victims of Hannah's practical joke.

Without admitting to the joke, Propagandhi announced on August 14, 2006 that "Glen Lambert" was dismissed and would be replaced by "former" member Chris Hannah. They also added guitarist David Guillas, making the band a four-piece for the first time. Guillas, nick-named "The Beaver", is a former member of two Winnipeg-based rock outfits, Giant Sons and Rough Music.

They have returned from their Canadian tour, and will be touring the United Kingdom through December.

[edit] Discography

[edit] Demo Tapes

  • We Don't Get Paid, We Don't Get Laid, and Boy Are We Lazy (Independent, 1990)
  • Fuck The Scene (Independent, 1991)
  • Martial Law With a Cherry on Top (Independent, 1992)

[edit] Albums

[edit] EPs

[edit] Splits

[edit] Live

  • Yep. cassette (Applecore Records, 1995)

[edit] Compilations

[edit] Various

These are donated songs not appearing on Where Quantity is Job #1:

[edit] External links

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