Canadians are amongst the last people on earth who should be crying about “foreigners bringing their problems over here with them”. Forget for a moment that the protesters blocking the Gardiner Expresway have family and friends facing death back home and that we’d all do the exact same thing if we were in their position. Forget that. Does the name Afghanistan ring any bells to Canadians? You know, that place where Canadians are foreigners and continue to make life rather inconvenient for Afghans?

Don’t believe me? Why not ask a member of the Afghan Parliament, (who incidentally has about 150 less civilian constituents (including infants) to represent these days since NATO blew them all of the face of the earth last month)?

Oh well, I guess as long as patriotic morons wasting resources driving back and forth between their useless jobs and their meaningless lives in front of their stupid T.V.’s aren’t put out, that’s what’s really important!

Our good buddy, Jimmy Juicepig, who was the drummer of I SPY and a true chaosmonger, has made this podcast for the Pivot Legal Society. In the photo he is the guy pretending to interview people while actually listening to recordings of is own farts over and over again on his tape recorder.

But seriously now! Pivot Legal society is really cool.They are an advocacy group who has been working hard for the advancement of marginalized people. working on campaigns which include homelessness, addiction, police misconduct, sex work, etc.. Make sure you check out the website and podcast to see what it’s all about. Good work Jimmy!

Check out this Vancouver band, The Rebel Spell to see who’s carrying the torch for non-poser punk rock these days. We played a few shows with them out east a while back. They were rad. Now they’re playing here in the ‘Peg (at the Albert) on the 29th of this month. Should be pretty boss, as Murray Bozinsky used to say on my once-favorite TV series Riptide.

Wish her well, it is not a stretch of the imagination that she could end up in your hometown trying to make a new life for herself. She is one hell of a cool dude.

We, True and relentless Thrashers, are back from our voyage. Me, Hannah and the snoring necrofecalizerknown as Mike A.(check out putrescence.com to see the specimen) spanned 5000 kilometers, stood on an overcrowded bus between two cities, caught every subway and bus know to humans, and spent every last little red cent we own to see Nomeanso, Sacrifice, Celtic Frost, Misery Index(twice), 5 other good bands, three decent ones and 2 crappy ones.

Me and Hannah were front row for the grandest display of thrash metal to be witnessed in the last 17 years. SACRIFICE brought the goods and destroyed 700 headbangers at Torontos’ “Opera House.” They are still the greatest!!! The REAL kings of thrash. Let no one tell you otherwise. Ever!!!!! To witness them once again was absolutely unreal.. I had always thought that the first time I saw them was one of the best days of my life. Now as an adult that thought is confirmed. They have now been responsible for the top two days.

And so, with our broken necks and brains bareley hanging onto their stems we crossed the icy plains to witness Switzerlands Mighty Celtic Frost!! Once again we were front row thrashing our heads off. They were awesome! the only thing they had going against them was that we had just seen the greatest show of all time. We went crazy. the highlights were “Circle Of The Tyrants”, “the Usurper” and the ripping, thrashing, stupendous “Into Crypts Of Rays!!”

And finally tonight, we went to see Misery Index who, despite coming after three days of Nomeansno, Celtic Frost, and Sacrifice, managed to pull us to the front of the house to throw our fists up in disbelief at their amazing drummer, great songs and dense, wicked grind-metal.

I will not scold or scoff and the dismal fools who missed such ripping tunes. And I will refrain from hunting down and beating to death anyone over the age of 9 that went to Bad Religion instead of Celtic Frost. I will just say to the world that thrashers are all we have ever been and all I will ever be as long as I live. I have no other good reason to live. I need no other reason. When Propagandhi comes to your town beware that we are inspired and our hearts pump with excitement for the day that comes when it is our turn to attempt to make the heads bang. and right now, way more than before, we feel like we have the ability to deliver!!

There is no way to explain what has happened to us this weekend. All’s I can say is that the world of music is still devasting!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! the best days are right now!!!

-Rod.

Hannah and I take off on a metallic journey tommorrow. We leave all behind only to return when the Frost comes within Winnipeg city limits. If we have no shirts for our eastern Canadian tour, please forgive us. We had to stop in midesign stage to begin our perennial quest. If you feel it in your blood you will know where we are going. The aoeons will collide for just one day. If your bones feel the mighty chill then gather up your belongings and follow your heart.We will be gathered.

I would like to send out our very best wishes to Beaves brother, and our good, good buddy, Paul who is struggling through very hard times in this world. All will be o.k., Paul-man. We are thinking about you a lot.

-rod.