Trusty Chords

• Episode 52: Chris Hannah – Propagandhi

  If you're someone who hasn't yet listened to Propagandhi, then I'm sure you're about to have the time of your life as you discover their eclectic and celebrated discography.Forming in Canada back in 1986, they've been a going concern for close to four decades now, though it wasn't until 1993 that they released their first album. After a few years, they released 2001's 'Today's Empires, Tomorrow's Ashes,' which is often considered to be a seminal record in the world of political punk music. Personally, it's an album that I fell in love with thanks to its lyrical focus and high-energy intensity, and I've been a fan ever since. But that's not the peak of their career, by far, because as the years have gone on, Propagandhi have occasionally returned with a new record, reminding us of just how amazing and important their work is. This year, they returned with 'At Peace,' their eighth record and their first in as many years. Needless to say, it's a special moment for punk fans the world over when Propagandhi returns.This week, I was lucky enough to have a wonderful chat with the group's vocalist and guitarist, the legendary Chris Hannah. For someone as ferocious as Chris is on the live stage, it's hard to imagine someone as reserved, thoughtful, and wonderful as a guest, and I'm truly grateful for him to join the podcast.Anyway, have a listen to Propagandhi's 'At Peace,' cross your fingers for their live return, have a listen to our chat, and I’ll see you at the end of the episode for some general housekeeping.

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• Episode 51: Steve Sladkowski – PUP

  For 15 years now, Canadian outfit PUP have been defying the concept that their name stands for a Pathetic Use of Potential and have been proving all and sundry wrong as they travel around the world with their unique blend of alt-rock and punk.Formed in 2010 as Topanga, PUP issued their self-titled album in 2013, with 'The Dream Is Over' following just a few years later. Records like 'Morbid Stuff' and 'The Unravelling Of PUPTheBand' have since cemented their status as consistent, reliable purveyors of stellar music, and their live shows have cemented them as favourites amongst lovers of the genre.This year, May 2nd, to be precise, PUP release their fifth album, 'Who Will Look After The Dogs?'. As I usually say, it's a brilliant record, and it's one that is undeniably worth your time. Things get even better too, because in just a few short months, they'll be back visiting Australia as part of their global tour plans.This week, I was lucky enough to be joined by PUP guitarist Steve Sladkowski, who was kind enough to talk about music for far longer than we were supposed to. In honour of his appearance, we're also briefly rebranding the podcast in honour of PUP's 2022 song 'Four Chords.' (Not really, but hey, I'd be remiss not to take the opportunity!)Anyway, I strongly urge you to check out PUP's 'Who Will Look After The Dogs?', and once you’re done doing that, have a listen to our chat, and I’ll see you at the end of the episode for some general housekeeping.

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• Episode 50: Jesse Coulter – Grenadiers

  There’s no denying the fact that Adelaide is just one of those cities that can’t help itself but breed amazing bands. Sure, you can look at groups like The Angels, Cold Chisel, and more, but why not look at groups like Stolen Youth, The Rivalry, Sleeptalker, and Dick Wolf?They’re also amazing bands, and for the trainspotters amongst us, you might recognise that those bands have one constant thread, and that’s Jesse Coulter. Jesse’s been in the music scene for a good number of years now, whether it’s up the front of bands or behind the scenes, but at every turn he’s in charge of quality.One of the most prominent projects he’s been associated with is none other than Grenadiers, a three-piece rock outfit which formed in 2009 and released three records over the ensuing eight years.Following a lineup change in those formative years, Grenadiers released their second album ‘Summer’ in 2015, and it was a little bit of a corker. It got them some decent attention, and even nabbed them a spot on triple j’s Like A Version series.After their third album, ‘Find Something You Love And Let It Kill You,’ Grenadiers went a little bit quiet, and in fact, they’ve not actually played a show since 2019. But that’s all about to change this May, because Grenadiers are hitting the Crown & Anchor in Adelaide for a ten-year celebration of ‘Summer’ on May 3rd.It’s likely the last time you’ll see them, so I figured now was the time to have a chat with Jesse about the band.But before we get into it, I strongly urge you to buy a ticket to Grenadiers’ upcoming gig, and once you’re done doing that, pop ‘Summer’ on the stereo, have a listen to our chat, and I’ll see you at the end of the episode for some general housekeeping.

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• Episode 49: Ella & Jesse Hooper – Killing Heidi

  If you’re anything like me, the name Killing Heidi was one that was synonymous with the Australian music scene at the turn of the millennium.Formed in regional Victoria by siblings Ella and Jesse Hooper, Killing Heidi first rose to fame as part of triple j’s Unearthed series, with the track ‘Kettle’ featuring a newly-teenaged Ella on vocals. This promise that triple j saw soon exploded in 1999, with tracks such as ‘Weir’ and ‘Mascara’ serving as an indicator of what was to come on their debut album, ‘Reflector.’‘Reflector’ was a monster success, becoming the fastest-selling album in Australian music history at the time of its release, and winning the band four ARIA awards, including Best Group and Best Rock Album.A few more albums followed in the years after, but then it all went quiet on the Killing Heidi front. While the Hoopers are still immensely active (Ella can be seen frequently in the media world), it was only close to a decade ago that Killing Heidi themselves became active again. Now, after years of shows, the band are hitting the road this year to mark 25 years of ‘Reflector.’ They’ve not only announced a 25th anniversary reissue, but they’re hitting stages around the country to play the record in full. Put simply, if you were a Killing Heidi diehard like me, then you won’t want to miss this.Recently, I was lucky enough to be joined by Ella and Jesse for a chat, and truly, I can’t thank them enough for the pleasure.So before we get into it, I strongly urge you to buy a ticket to Killing Heidi’s upcoming gigs, and once you’re done doing that, pop ‘Reflector’ on the stereo, have a listen to our chat, and I’ll see you at the end of the episode for some general housekeeping.

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• Episode 48: Jesse F. Keeler – Death From Above 1979, MSTRKRFT

  There was a period of time in the early ‘00s when one of the most exciting bands in the game was Canada’s own Death From Above. Well, that’s what they were called at first, but by the time they released their debut album ‘You’re A Woman, I’m A Machine,’ Sebastien Grainger and Jesse F. Keeler had lengthened their name to Death From Above 1979 due to a lawsuit.But that didn’t detract from that album becoming a ferocious piece of work, with tracks like 'Romantic Rights,' 'Blood On Our Hands,' and 'Black History Month' being considered classics by all fans of the dance-punk and alt-rock genre spectrum.In 2006 though, the group split, and fans wondered what the future may hold. While Grainger launched his solo career and worked with other bands, Keeler served as one half of electronic duo MSTRKRFT.But in 2011, they were back together, and we’ve since received three new albums from the band, with 2021’s ‘Is 4 Lovers’ being their last to date.More recently, they’ve been a little busy touring the world as part of the anniversary of their debut album, playing the record in full in the process. Now this month, they’re visiting Australia for the first time in years to bring the stellar tracks to local audiences.To celebrate, I was lucky enough to have a brief chat with Jesse F. Keeler about the record and the band’s history, though he quickly abandoned our time constraints and we just kept it pretty casual.Anyway, I strongly urge you to check out Death From Above 1979’s ‘You’re A Woman, I’m A Machine,’ grab a ticket to their upcoming tour, and once you’re done doing that, have a listen to our chat, and I’ll see you at the end of the episode for some general housekeeping.

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