Posted on March 18, 2010 - by Editor

The Class War Kids: Tackling Common Struggles

The Class War Kids

The recent tragic and catastrophic earthquake in Haiti triggered a global reaction in terms of trying to deliver aid and save lives on the struggling island-nation. The punk community too rose to the challenge and several artists lend their hands and time with benefits concerts, fund raising and auctions as well as digital downloads whose proceeds would benefit Haiti. One of the bands that came to Distorted’s attention are Canadian four piece The Class War Kids. The band released a 4-song Digital EP with all monies received earmarked for relief efforts so we decided to discuss their efforts with Patty (guitars and vocals) as well as the band’s music, mixing pop punk and politics as well as punks problem tackling apathy.

Steve: So tell us a bit about the band; who does what?

Patty: Four dudes, one goal.  To create ear bleeding, throat scratching, sing-along punk rock.
Davey – Guitar & Vocals / Kyle – Bass & Vocals / Patty – Guitar & Vocals/ Jon – Drummies.

Steve: I have read you are described as a political but pop punk band, obviously there is nothing wrong with catchy but meaningful music, so where do you take inspiration from musically and lyrically?

Patty: The Clash, Propagandhi, The Queers, MTX, The Briefs, Rage Against the Machine were the first bands that ever made me care about things.

Steve: As a band then, are there some key issues you try and address in your music and believe most strongly about?

Patty: We try to cover a range of issues that are important to us.  I guess if I had to sum it up very briefly I’d say we’re trying to deliver a message of hope and positivity in an otherwise desperate and fatalist era.

Steve: And talking of desperate times, with the recent disaster is Haiti you have released an EP with all proceeds going to aid the relief effort. How did this idea come about?

Patty: We’re a band that believes in community, in positivity, and in a common struggle.  I remembered Propagandhi donating blood after the WTC fell; I thought it was incredible of them, not only are they singing for change, they’re actually doing something.  This was our way of doing something instead of just saying something.   I found out a few days later that Propagandhi were also doing an EP for Haiti.

Steve: Cynics might say this is a good opportunity to grab some media attention to promote the band under the guise of genuine concern; how would you respond to that?

Patty: Yeah, that’s true, but cynics will look for any excuse to shit all over anything.  The fact is we’re trying to draw attention to a issue of global importance, not ourselves,  and any attention people direct towards us is just a bonus the next time we have something important to say and need the help of others.

Steve: Fair enough, so which agency/ group in particular will be benefiting from this? What do they do and how will the proceeds help?

Patty: All proceeds will be donated to the Baytay Ouvriye.  When these sorts of events unfold, there is an opportunity for a

The Class War Kids

lot of money to be made.  It is our hope that our money will be used to help organize Haitian workers to rebuild their own cities so that the people of Haiti don’t go further into debt. Batay Ouvriye is an organization that regroups factory unions and committees, workers’ associations and militants, all struggling in Haiti for the construction of an independent, combative and democratic union movement, and to organize wage-workers, self-employed workers as well as the unemployed for the defense of their rights. The organization is an alternative to the traditional bureaucratic, corrupt union movement that upholds the dominant classes’ power amongst the exploited masses of Haiti.

Steve: And the EP itself is a four track covers selection. What songs are covered and why did the band decide on those songs?

Patty: We did a Strummer tune, a Randy song, a Weakerthans song and one by Chubby Checker.  The first three are favourite artists of ours, the last I thought would be really fun to cover, Chubby Checker is a pop king.

Steve: The EP is entitled “Twinkle’s Last Stand”- what’s the name about?

Patty: Twinkle is the name of the unicorn in the artwork.  He was on our first CD.  This will be his last appearance.  We are a political band but we like to have fun too.

Steve: RIP-Twinkle. Compatriots Propagandhi are well known for their politics and as you mentioned have also released a digital EP to help the relief efforts. How much do you look up to and learn from a band like that?

Patty: They are the benchmark for integrity and passion in political music as far as I’m concerned.  If I can write a song as noteworthy and compelling as anything from “Less Talk, More Rock” I will have been a successful songwriter.  That album changed my life.

Steve: The recovery in Haiti will be a lengthy one, how long is this EP going to be available for?

Patty: It will remain available indefinitely and every cent that comes in will always be sent to Baytay Ouvriye.

Steve: Do you think more should be done to assist Haiti or were you overall impressed with the global response and compassion?

Patty: I’m never impressed with global response and compassion.  More should have been done to help Haiti before this even happened.

Steve: OK so how much of a problem is apathy in punk rock from your perspective?  This EP only costs $3 and there are many other ways people can contribute. Do you think the punk community does enough in general?

Patty: No.  Apathy is our biggest enemy, and the best tool our opponents possess, and it’s been far too effective lately.  People seem to think we’re fucked anyway so why bother, and then anyone who does try to make a difference gets shit on for trying.  It’s incredibly discouraging and so people give up and give in.  It’s easy to sit down and point fingers and do nothing, it’s tremendously difficult to, first of all attempt to help in any way and secondly, it’s much more difficult to succeed. Apathy has basically created a group of people sitting, waiting, breathless, watching for anyone who is trying to make a difference screw it up.  The apathetics have essentially become cheerleaders for the other side, no longer content with taking NO stand at all, now they’re actively playing for the other team without even realizing they’re doing so through shit talking and infighting.

Steve: So finally, what are your worst fears in the recovery effort in Haiti?

Patty: The same thing that motivated us to put out this EP; that it’s going to become a cash grab for G10 countries and put an already poor people further in debt.

For more information on Baytay Ouvriye please visit http://www.batayouvriye.org/
You can contribute by purchasing The Class War Kids EP here http://theclasswarkids.bandcamp.com/