Preview
SNFU
Sunday, November 21
Warehouse
A perennial Canadian punk-rock favourite, SNFU have covered an awful lot of ground since their formation in Edmonton some 20 years ago. In that time the intrepid rebels have travelled to Europe six times and have worn mighty deep ruts between North America’s major musical checkpoints. Constructed on the complementary talents of guitar-playing brothers Marc and Brett Belke, SNFU have endured when so many of their counterparts have capitulated. Looking back on a career that spans more than 10 albums and two decades, singer Chi Pig and company are ready to sweep the nation in what may be the hardcore institution’s last hurrah.
"We were just touring and touring and it got to the point where we decided that we weren’t going to tour again until we recorded a new album," says Marc Belke of the band’s impending visit in support of their latest release, In the Meantime and in Between Time. "It may be six hours between cities, but we’re more popular in Western Canada than anywhere else in the world. We always have friends in the audience."
In the past year, Marc has relocated from Toronto to Vancouver, a move that ended a habitual pattern of cross-continental commuting. He explains how In the Meantime and in Between Time was gradually patched together between the two centres, as he mixed and remixed the album’s 12 tracks over the course of six long years – a time that would change SNFU forever and leave critics and fans asking if their wild joyride had finally come to an end.
"I could feel things disintegrating and dissolving even as we tried to put the new album together. And it seemed like the band was slowly dying an undignified death," recalls Belke "Our bassist Rob (Johnson) left the band in the middle of making the CD, then our drummer Dave (Rees) left. I just got frustrated. I left the whole thing for a while." Moving to Toronto he had it in the back of his mind to finish the album and wrote a few more songs. "We mixed and remixed and I still didn’t like it. It seemed silly to release something we weren’t completely satisfied with after waiting so many years to put something out," he says. " We’re pretty happy with how it finally came out, but, of course, you could go on forever perfecting every little thing."
While perfection may be in the ear of the beholder, Belke can’t help but feel that the band’s last round of recordings and performances were not quite up to the high standards they had set for themselves in their ferocious youth. Maybe they’re slowing down or maybe they’re just looking at the world through a different set of eyes, but SNFU have finally put their foot down. Their new album is proudly released on the band’s newly-minted record label RAKE, whose logo bears the grotesque, decaying sneer of that "Open Your Mouth and Say SNFU" dude.
"I knew we had another album in us and I wanted to tour with it," says Belke." With Matt Warhurst taking over bass duties and Trevor McGregor on drums, the ball is rolling again. "It’s different than it was 10 years ago. We’re not the same band. Chi has not been jumping off of PAs like he used to, but he still has an intensity that makes him amazing to watch," says Belke. "We’re having so much fun right now and the album is getting great reviews. So, for me it’s ‘mission accomplished.’ Setting up RAKE has been the best experience," he adds. "My only regret is that we didn’t do it with our first record. No hype, just banking on yourself. Sell less and make more!" |
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