Canadian Punk Institution Propagandhi Performed at Vienna Arena

Anyone who feared that the group might have slowed down after almost 40 years of band career was proven wrong on Wednesday evening at the Vienna Arena: In line with the excellent new album "At Peace," the quartet offered decidedly political hardcore, which engaged the mind rather than the feet. For some, perhaps a bit unusual.

Because the setting with the "Reconstruction Tour" held in the open-air area was more geared towards good vibes than thoughtfulness. After all, colleagues like Comeback Kid (as energetic drivers right before) or Pennywise (as fitting headliners right after) ensured plenty of movement in the pit. Propagandhi also had the riffs for this, but they were rarely served in the classic punk rock corset like in "...And We Thought That Nation-States Were a Bad Idea."

Anti-capitalist, anti-fascist

The relentless track from the early work of the formation, which has existed since 1986, may come across as musically true to form, but it drives in all the essential stakes that are still valid today: Anti-capitalist, anti-fascist, including minorities - Propagandhi have always positioned themselves politically and did so at this gig as well. That this approach is not always sing-along friendly had to be endured by some concertgoers who might have hoped for a bit more accessibility.

Instead, Propagandhi served up much from the new album, whether it was the equally driving and nostalgic "Rented P.A." or the melodic masterpiece "No Longer Young." The musical range also has to do with external circumstances, explained drummer Jord Samolesky before the performance in an APA interview, referring to the many crises of our time. "We probably brought this desperation and borderline hopelessness into the rehearsal room and used it." Not least, the role of their home country Canada in global conflicts has been repeatedly chewed over by the musicians. "A lot of this frustration is in this record." Against this background, the music also has "a therapeutic function."

Work of love and despair

Propagandhi certainly do not make it easy for themselves - nor for their audience. Where other bands might come with clear announcements and simpler musical means, they rely on progressive tracks like "Guiding Lights" or the title track of the current album to create an ambivalent mood that addresses larger questions, while the sounds do not necessarily encourage a mindless jumping circus. "It was and is important to us what happens in the world," said Samolesky. "This has also flowed into this album. It is a work of love, but also a work of despair."

That this is currently particularly ignited by the Gaza conflict and is being intensely discussed in the left cultural scene was also evident during the performance of the Canadian band. The drummer viewed this extremely complex matter from a more fundamental standpoint: "Ultimately, it's about empathy for people, no matter where or who they are. No one can help where in the world they are born. We are not different national entities, we are one species! It breaks my heart that all this shit is happening in the world. It's really hard to accept."

Musically, Propagandhi finds clever solutions, to which singer Chris Hannah sometimes adds a cynical undertone in his lyrics. Accordingly, the title "At Peace" is by no means to be read as "finding one's peace," but rather characterized by a resigning quality. What can one really change in a world that moves closer to the abyss every day? Perhaps a little understanding for others, for different positions and perspectives. A black-and-white perspective has never led to constructive solutions.

Us Against 0.0001 Percent

In this regard, the dense set of the group, lasting not even an hour - still consisting of bassist and singer Todd Kowalski and Sulynn Hag on the second guitar - was to be understood as a small wake-up call. Maybe not everything is lost yet. "The wealth gap continues to widen," Samolesky reminded. "It's such a small part, maybe 0.0001 percent of humanity, that benefits from the current situation. This hard-right authoritarianism or this almost fascist direction we are experiencing today only serves to point fingers at minorities and make them scapegoats while illegitimately acquired wealth is protected. But how do we fight this?"

For Propagandhi, cohesion seems inevitable in this regard. "There is so much misinformation," the drummer emphasized. "Technological advances like AI and the like are in the hands of guys who want to use them as weapons against humanity. They want to rule the world for the short time that remains. And then? Retreat to a bunker after the apocalypse?" the musician sneered. "That's just idiotic. I just hope that somehow people come together to avert this." And maybe a song is sometimes the first incentive to reassess things. Hope dies last.

(By Christoph Griessner/APA)

(APA/Red)

This article has been automatically translated, read the original article here.