Posted on January 29, 2010 - by Taron Cochrane

True North, Strong & Free! No.2

Random Thoughts straight from a Friendly Canadian’s Punk Rock Journal.

Everybody has that one significant year in their life.  To each of their own,  the events of that year (whatever they may be) have greatly influenced their outlook on the world around them.  Well friends, 2009 was my year and let me tell you why.

Besides my ears finally receiving the long-awaited second release from The Strawberry Blondes, 2009 was the year I wed the woman of my dreams.  My rock & my soul mate.

Our wedding was a rather large affair with family traveling all the way from Dublin.  During the planning for this event, I stressed to my fiancé how important it was for us to have a bagpiper walk her down the aisle.  Being of Scottish-Irish decent and with a die hard passion for Celtic music, to me it only seemed right.

So the hunting began.  I contacted friends of friends, pipe bands and local Celtic shops.  It was there I met up with one Gord Taylor.

Here is where the music-related part of my story comes into play.

After a few meetings and enough coffee to kill a horse, there was no doubt in my mind that my hunt had ended and the right piper had been found.  You see, little did I know that Gord had been an ‘on-again, off again” member, as well as song writer, for one of my favorite Canadian bands, The Real Mckenzies.

For those of you unfamiliar with this talented crew of drunken pirates, I will enlighten you. The Real Mckenzies are a staple of Fat Wreck Chords, long standing members of the Canadian punk scene and a band who boast a massive musical catalogue.  In short, this band is amazing.  While they cover many traditional (and memorable) Scottish folk songs, they do it with a punk rock twist. Their live show is one that can’t (or shouldn’t be missed!)

After the wedding ended, Gord called me up.  The Mckenzies needed some new merch designs for their upcoming 2010 European Tour.  Being a fan of the band since I was a teenager, how could I resist.  I knew that this torrid crew would storm those European waters and town by town they would leave a path of destruction, music and memories.

While I worked on these designs, I kept reminiscing back to seeing The Mckenzies live and recalled how much fun it was.  In addition, I had just heard the news of a live CD/DVD due early in 2010 and Gord had now officially joined the band full time.  All of my memories reminded me how much this band’s music had positively defined the Canadian culture it was constantly surrounded by.

Their songs centered on (not only drinking) but many key moments in the history of us Celtic Canadians.  Songs that touched the heart and made you proud to say that you too were also Canadian.  Witty banter followed every song and a brief introduction always queued up the next musical tale they were about to tell.

As I reminisced, it also brought to mind how influential hearing their album, “Clash of the Tartans” was in my life.  It made me sit back and respect not only the heritage of my country but it also gave me a sense of purpose in seeking out more traditional music from my roots.

You always leave a Real Mckenzies show feeling like it was money well spent and it would routinely leave you asking yourself when the next show would be?

At one of the last shows I attended, I couldn’t help but wonder why I recognized the very tall, white haired band member sporting the huge white fur vest.  Where did I see him before?  Was he from the same city as I?  Was he in another band? One thing was for certain, he was hard to miss.

Then it hit me, it was none other than Mr. Dave Gregg, one of the key members in legendary Canadian punk band, D.O.A.  Unbelievable, really.  There he was no more than two feet in front of me. You see, if you were to ask me the first band that came to mind when mentioning Canadian punk, it would be D.O.A.

D.O.A is our Clash, our Ramones, our imprint on punk rock.  To put it bluntly, they are idolized in these here parts.  What they have done for the punk rock scene is unparalleled.

Unfortunately, I have so much to say about this band that I could write for days on end; and sometimes my wife reminds me that I tend to ramble on when discussing music, so if you’re willing to hold on for a while, I will save it for the next column.

But before I go, if you’re a European citizen.  I urge you to try and attend an upcoming Real Mckenzies show.  Trust me you’ll love it!  If you do please make sure you say “hi” to Gord for me.

Until then, stay free!
Taron