Propagandhi remains calm inside the storm

They've been heralded as one of Canada's most prolific and outspoken punk bands.
After 30 years and on the eve of their first album in eight years, 'At Peace' -- Winnipeg's Propagandhi have decided to slow down these days. Albeit, just sonically.

Actively involved from the start

At the forefront of the 90s punk explosion, Propagandhi stood out. Sure, the band had the aggression and angst commonly associated with the genre but at the time there was no other band as socially conscious and politically charged as these three young musicians from Portage la Prairie, Manitoba.  Today, their 1993 debut album How to Clean Everything has been heralded as, not only, the sound that defined the label that released it, Fat Wreck Chords but a wake up call in the minds of many middle-aged adults who first discovered them as teens.

With handouts, speeches and information behind important local causes their live shows were as equally as educational as they were entertaining. This approach however wouldn't appeal to all of their new found fans. Those who had heard them and fell in love with their fast, melodic punk rock would soon realize that they stood for much more and became vocally uncomfortable with their approach. This would lead the band to releasing a sophomore album aptly titled, Less Talk, More Rock. A response to anyone in the audience who had demanded they worry less about social and political issues of the time and just focus on the music. The band would further display their stance by putting the words, pro-feminist, animal-friendly, anti-fascist and gay-positive on the album's artwork.

As time went on the band continued to champion causes important to them but through each album would start to delve more into the thrash metal style that they adored.  Opening the door even further to a larger and more dedicated fan base. Fans so dedicated that a podcast would eventually be created for analyzing their songs and lyrics as they became recognized for decades around the world not just as one of punk rocks strongest advocates for change but a band that could shred too. 

At peace, these days

On March 10, after eight years of silence, the band woke their fans up from their slumber with the surprise release of At Peace. The lead single of off the album with the same name out on Epitaph Records on May 2, At Peace didn't just include their signature riffs and insightful and poignant lyrics. It also seemed to convey a sense of being in the right place at the right time as the news becomes increasingly more anxiety inducing day after day.  

Surprisingly, however, on this song lead singer Chris Hannah proclaims, "I am at peace, though presently convulsed with grief, I am at peace". Words seldom spoken by a band who had always been vocal on what mattered to them while championing to change things for the better.

Understanding the importance of these words, CBC's Jim Agapito sat down with Propagandhi for their first-ever band interview with CBC (less guitarist Sulynn Hago) to discuss the new single, new album, today's political climate and why they've decided to slow down through it all.

Watch | CBC Manitoba's Jim Agapito sits down with Propagandhi

Listen | CBC Radio One broadcast of Jim's conversation with Propagandhi

Information Radio - MB6:28Propagandhi Returns: At Peace, but Still Fighting

Winnipeg's own Propagandhi makes a powerful return with their new single "At Peace" after an eight-year hiatus. CBC's Jim Agapito speaks with band members Chris Hannah, Todd Kowalski, and Jord Samolesky about their upcoming album and the political statement behind their latest release.