GREG SODEN
Arts Writer

Formed in 1986 in rural Manitoba, Propagandhi is one of the most influential and long-running punk bands active today.

Composed of singer/guitarist Chris Hannah, drummer Jord Samolesky, bassist/vocalist Todd Kowalski and a guitarist known simply as “the Beave,” Propagandhi recently came through Saskatoon on a tour to promote their newest record, Supporting Caste.

Speaking to Propagandhi’s status as punk legends, singer and guitarist Hannah grinned and modestly replied, “We’re old, we’re out of style and you should still give us a chance.”

If being old and out of style means that a musician can put out socially conscious and mind-blowing music for more than 20 years, then more bands should age quickly and get out of the skinny jeans because they have nothing on Propagandhi.

Hannah talked about various subjects ranging from hockey (he is an avid Leafs fan who believes Gustavsson will land the starting goalie role), his life as a musician, the state of the U.S. and Canada and sustainable living.

Supporting Caste will surely be added to many best of 2009 lists, with songs such as the powerful and thrashy “Night Letters,” which Hannah says is “tough because Todd can’t sing and it breaks my heart because it’s one of my favourites,” and “Human(e) Meat,” which is about looking at the proclamations of controversial food authors Sandor Katz and Catherine Friend and “turning their logic around on them.”

Propagandhi have been known for years as advocates of a cruelty-free, vegan lifestyle and supporters of sustainable living. They are a moral voice of the voiceless and are outspoken in their beliefs.

“None of us have cars. We all ride our bikes, take the bus or walk. At my house, we grow lots of our own food, which we freeze over the winter,” said Hannah.

Known for their direct and stinging lyrical content, Hannah maintains a modest perspective on his writing. When asked about his lyrical writing process, he maintains that it’s not easy.

“If I did have a process, I would like to know what it is because it would make things easier to start each time. It seems like every time, it’s a total struggle — for Todd as well. Trying to distill your observations about big things down to a two-minute, speedy song is a real challenge because we don’t have a facility of words that others may have — so yes, it’s a struggle,” said Hannah.

Anyone familiar with Propagandhi would probably agree that this statement downplays the impact that Hannah and Kowalski’s words have had on listeners.

A sharp critic of actions taken by the U.S. government, Hannah is now also critical of his own government.

“I wouldn’t even single out the U.S. anymore. The politics of Canada are becoming much more reactionary, conservative and polarized. Power is defaulting to the conservatives,” said Hannah.

Growing up as metal heads in the 1980s, Hannah says Propagandhi is finally starting to get to be where he wants to be sound-wise. Listeners will notice a distinct thrash-metal influence from bands such as Sacrifice, Voivod, Razor, Cro-Mags and Bad Brains.

“None of us have a natural talent for music or writing words but we make it work out of sheer tenacity,” said Hannah.

They have been known to tour very sporadically but with the addition of Beave on second guitar, Propagandhi have been much more active in the past few years.

If you haven’t already, be sure to check out their new record and see the world from the perspective of Propagandhi.