Winnipeg music & culture since 1989
by Sheldon Birnie
When Greg Rekus’ long-running, hard-touring punk band High Five Drive went on indefinite hiatus recently, Greg wasn’t willing to hang up his stompin’ boots. Instead, the singer/guitar-player set about writing songs he could deliver himself, and then set about conquering North America. With the release of his debut full-length The Dude Abides, Rekus has been on the road more or less non-stop since. Stylus caught up with Greg just before he flies over to tour Europe. Continue reading “Greg Rekus – Hardcore Troubadour”
Northcote – Under the Streetlights by Carolynne
No one sounds like the Breath Grenades. No one acts like the Breath Grenades. These legendary space rawkers are so far gone from anything resembling a conventional band that they often defy logic. Beginning with their uniquely destructive bass-snyth sound, they do things their own way. In their decades of playing they have only released one rare album. They don’t play out very often, having a sincere hatred for most venues. Few bands stay together for more than a few years let alone a band that has had staple members pass away. But despite the hardships this groundbreaking punk act has managed to stay a band for more than 25 years. Now with the inclusion of drummer/sound/visual arts genius Richard Altman a.k.a. Vinegar Rich, the Grenades: Don Bailey a.k.a. Vom Doom and Al Conroy (Not Half) a.k.a. Vortexo are coming out from the basement to play shows again. On the eve of the first Breath Grenades show of 2011, Vom and Vinegar gave Stylus a history lesson of the Breath Grenades past, present and future. Continue reading “Breath Grenades – 25 years of Blowing Minds and Bewildering Audiences”