Propagandhi Talk Their Return with 'Failed States'

Published Aug 30, 2012

This week Propagandhi let us in on their Failed States early via a full album stream . But if you're itching to know where the Prairie punkers are coming from on their sixth full-length, the band have shed some light on what's behind this anticipated follow-up to 2009's Supporting Caste "Instead of being like, 'Oh yeah, it sounds like,' it's its own record for sure," guitarist/vocalist Chris Hannah tells Exclaim! in a recent interview. "It's not the same as, where you can hang your hat on it, and be like, yeah, this is what it is. Sonically, it sounds a lot different. It doesn't deliver the goods as predictably, but for everybody in the band it delivers them in a much more satisfying heavy way."The album has no shortage of raging metallic riffs and heavy hardcore ragers, but also stretches out for longer, more emotionally hefty tunes. It covers the gamut of sounds and feelings that the band have explored over their last few albums, in a much more cohesive and, well, fast way thanDrummer Jord Samolesky points out that recording the album in the band's hometown of Winnipeg made all the difference."Being able to do it in Winnipeg for me was a fucking huge bonus after going through nightmare-inducing experiences with sharing a room with [bassist Todd] Kowalski for three and a half weeks [while recording]," laughs Samolesky. "To be able to sleep in my own bed at night and walk 15 minutes to the studio, even though it was fucking freezing like shit out here, it felt good. The guy we recorded with was great. It felt proper at this point."As for Kowalski, he says that for him, the looseness and relaxed approach that the band had while recording was another factor that a huge impact on the resulting album."My mind, I'm not really that specific or rigid with art or music," says Kowalski. "I do that if that's the situation, you know? But I've realized that for me, and the way that my mind works, I'm way better if it's just lively and we're going for it. Instead of worrying about doing something so right, I'm just feeling the vibe and going for it, I'll be way better, for sure."As previously reported , Propagandhi are gearing up to take their show on the road next month. The dates, which are with Manitoba hardcore dudes Comeback Kid , are below.officially arrives Tuesday (September 4) through the band's new home on Epitaph Records Tour dates:9/25 London, ON - London Music Hall9/26 Toronto, ON - Phoenix Theatre9/27 Ottawa, ON - Ritual9/28 Montreal, QC - La Tulipe9/29 Chicitoumi, QC - Hotel la Sagueneenne9/30 Quebec City, QC - Imperial de Quebec10/2 Cambridge, MA - Middle East Club10/3 New York, NY - Highline Ballroom10/4 New York, NY - Le Poisson Rouge10/5 Philadelphia, PA - Union Transfer10/6 Baltimore, MD - Otto Bar10/7 Pittsburgh, PA - Altar Bar