!earshot Top 200 of 2021

The Weakerthans

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JD: Could you tell us a bit about the Weakerthans�who's in it and where you are all from?

JKS: Sure. We started in Winnipeg in 1996. Right now we're Jason Tait (drums, percussions, vibes and keyboards), Stephen Carroll (guitar, keyboards, pedal and lap steel), Greg Smith (bass, vocals) and myself (lead vocals and guitar). We occasionally have keyboards and an extra guitar player, so like last night, sometimes we're a six piece. We've been around almost ten years now. We're currently divided between Winnipeg and Toronto . I'm currently in Winnipeg ; so is Stephen, and the other boys are in Toronto . We've been travelling around this summer and that's the story.

JD: You have a CD out called Reconstruction Site. Would you tell us about it?

JKS: Ya. Well it's been out for about two years now, so it's not that new. It's on Epitaph Records in the States and we've been touring it for a long time now. We're getting ready to make another one, so ya, you should be able to get it in most record stores.

JD: You know that Winnipeg has been a hotbed for punk and ska acts. Why do you think that is?

JKS: I don't know why that is, but Winnipeg has been kind of forced to create its own culture, as long as it has been a city, because it's quite isolated and cold and barren, so that might have something to do with it. But ya, the punk scene there has been really supportive and great. It always has been, since the eighties.

JD: Speaking of Winnipeg , now you have to tell us about your song with the lyrics "I hate Winnipeg ." Now a Winnipeger could not sing a song called "I hate Winnipeg ", although I have to admit that the song sounds beautifully tongue-in-cheek. Tell us about the song.

JKS: It's a song called "One Great City", which is what it says on the sign when you enter Winnipeg from the highway. I don't know, it's a song about hating the place that you're from. Sometimes, I think it's the duty of citizens to point out the flaws of a place and not listen to the mindless boosterism that City Hall and the Chamber of Commerce generally foist on communities. I've been there (Winnipeg) for 32 years and I'm generally pretty happy there.

JD: Ya, I bet you could change the lyrics to the name of any city. It's generally about people having a bad day.

JKS: Yes.

JD: Well, John K., I'd like to thank you for speaking with us. I know you have more place to play. Where are you going next?

JKS: We're off to Ottawa next weekend and then that's the end of our summer. We've been all over the country this summer and it's been great.

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