According to Propagandhi: How the punk scene, politics and activism have evolved over the years

Chris Hannah joins Tom Power to discuss his band's new album and how the current political climate has affected the band's music.
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[@simoncote2783]

Propagandhi got me interested in politics and about educating myself. And I am not the only one. So yes it was really worth it

[@prangbro]

Agreed! Just reading the liner notes to Less Talk, More Rock was like a paradigm shift in my 16-year-old mind.

[@PLUR420]

Same been reading the news eversince “knowledge is power, arm yourself “

[@joshuapocalypse]

100% agreed.

[@keeganpenney169]

Me too. Funny how half satirical, half questioning lyrics change future generations and ask those important questions that the songs are poking at.

[@vinyasabeatz3040]

@@prangbro that was me with how to clean everything

[@julianbarnett]

less talk, more rock: one the best punk albums of all time

[@jeff7764]

Julian Barnett agreed

[@blesner1983]

My fav album is Supporting Caste

[@mrladeuce397]

It IS, IMO.

[@richspizzaparty]

They’ve surpassed that a few times.

[@lskyrocker1]

I'd say it's their WORST album, however I still do like it haha

[@michaeljames2564]

I truly wonder if he knows how much his music means to so many of us. There aren't many bands I respect and admire as much as Prop. I've grown with them and their evolving sound since HTCE. And I'm stoked to see them again in March for the 2nd time.

[@bidibum]

Man I'll miss them in Italy, I won't be there. Life sucks, I've waited for them to come for so long… I can't believe how bad my timing can be!

[@bengardiner9221]

Chris's writing changed what I read, what I eat, and what I consume. It's so great to finally see him on Q.

[@bengardiner9221]

frank grimes Lot of assumptions in that statement.

[@blueghost4121]

I think it's all an act to a certain extent. At least back when he was younger.

[@eatassonthefirstdate]

​@@blueghost4121it is..... usually, when someone tells you a story, and it's one CRAZY event after another , one coincidence after another etc, it's usually bullshit.

[@thomasvieira5611]

I'm 36 years old now. Propagandhi is one of the bands i'm most grateful for, I'm very thankful I got to hear their music as a teenager. They literally changed my life, for the better. They had a huge impact and influence on my life.

[@Okayymatt]

My favorite interview with a musician. It's refreshing that Chris is aware of how few answers he has after so many years in music and devoted to these causes. Also, the interviewer did a great job getting him to elaborate on what at times seemed like dead-end responses, but in a way that was casual and respectful. Is this what Canada is like? If so, sign me up.

[@ccsmooth55]

I love how Tom digs deeper into Chris's statements: "Oh? How so?" "What do you mean?" And I love how Chris is able to expand on everything he says.

[@RSCL_BEATZ]

Chris's lyrics and the band's music changed how I view the world. Knowledge is power; arm yourself. One of the most important bands in history.

[@michaels6391]

One thing I love about propagandhi and Chris' lyrics is that they don't just talk about politics, but they connect it to the personal in a way that is so human and relatable. It's not just sloganeering or saying "this is right this is wrong" but explores the emotional implications of it as well.

[@nixthelatter]

We appreciate you sticking with it Chris. One of the best singers in one of the best punkrock bands of my lifetime! Still writing music just as prolific and as relevant as ever!

[@BirkirFMC]

Please, have him back, or any member of this remarkable and peerless Canadian band.

[@pufferwockey]

He's also anti nationalist. I'm also tempted to be be proud for sharing a national identity with the guy, but that would be stupid. PATRIOTISM: because religion wasn't a dumb enough concept for you.

[@johnobrien4785]

@@pufferwockey Right but despite being anti nationalist his voice reflects a Canadian experience that Prop listeners can learn from. Even though we may shun patriotism the fact is we are governed by and complicit to some degree in the actions of Canada as a nation.

[@pufferwockey]

@@johnobrien4785 Fair. Still smacks of patriotism, but you're not wrong.

[@danevertt3210]

@@pufferwockey are you saying there’s something wrong with anti nationalism

[@gypsydildopunks7083]

I love you, Mr. Propagandhi. You will never stop a voice for change. I was a kid when I bought the 10" split with I-Spy. Nothing spoke more to me at the right time. Thanks

[@mattb9351]

First time I've ever seen my favourite band on CBC.

[@danielreid9621]

I've probably watched this interview 10 times now. I can't believe there are so few high-quality Chris Hannah interviews out there. The interviewer, in particular, is excellent. He keeps things moving along, touches on so many interesting topics and is able to draw so much out of Chris, one of the most interesting figures in Canadian music.

[@NicholasGnames]

He apparently has a podcast ive been meaning to check out.

[@joshsteinbauer]

Was great to hear Chris talk about the songs on this new album. Propagandhi breaks the mold once again to have created one of the best punk records to have ever existed (let alone the band's best record) in their 40s. So, yeah, if ol' Chris needs a coffee or a nap, i'd say he earned it. :)

[@Thewestgoats]

comply / resist is a masterpiece. just gotta say that. Long time fan here. I know every damn inch of these guy's work. Comply / Resist is a gawd damn masterpiece

[@danm2084]

Nick Orr I like adventures in zoochosis better than that song. also, half of "less talk more rock" is better, imo. infact, I really am not even a big fan of that song at all actually lol. (sorry my phone hates punctuation and grammar)

[@dallassegno]

if you live to be afraid all the time

[@Cam-ce5qx]

With some time to reflect, Comply/Resist might be the best Prop song.

[@Newfieboy9908]

Propagandhi is what every idealistic young punk group should be, push the agenda, spread the knowledge, educate and drive out those that cannot be, Idealism and art at its best.

[@chrislejuez]

I love this interview. It's awesome to see your musical/political influences grow up and mature in their wisdom while still retaining their principals.

[@David0gden]

Damn right that was the best record you guys have ever made. Thank you Chris. Please keep making more.

[@CantTalkImRiding]

Thank you so much for this. I'm a big fan and it's great hearing these back stories. We need more of this in the music scene. Side note: I saw you play in San Luis Obispo years ago and it was one of my favorite shows. I hope to catch you guys on tour soon.

[@pong86r]

Great interview! Glad to say that their music helped me wake up

[@Shoz3344]

Fantastic interview! Yesterday I saw them live for the first time and it was an amazing concert!

[@showfeark]

Thank you for this interview. Propagandhi has and always will allow me to feel some connection somewhere.

[@briantolman8550]

I don't agree with everything they stand for, but I've always respected them for standing up!

[@theveganuprise1342]

Brian Tolman checkout Dairy is Scary by Erin Janus on KZbin

[@becf]

I can't imagine finding anything disagreeable with this band.

[@umageddon]

becf i can

[@becf]

@@umageddon go on...

[@umageddon]

becf the music- great. The politics can be a little over the top

[@HOOTwheelz]

fantastic intro, great interview. keep the good content rolling!

[@Lagwagoner]

Such a great interview! Thanks for this!

[@gmonnig]

What a badass. Playing their album when i was in high school (96-00) was so taboo, I loved it. Thank you for your music. It really has made a difference.

[@danevertt3210]

Same here…..first couple albums are amazing

[@NicholasGnames]

Lol i had to have an older chick buy the first one for me because parental advisory scenario

[@duplicatekeys]

Simply grateful this interview exists

[@matthewheckman4522]

This was such an insightful interview. I love Propagandhi and their message... They have always had the heart, drive, and ambition to get their message out.

[@birdbraINCorporated]

Great interview! Im really waiting for an interviewer to ask Chris what he knows about his ancestors. On an episode of Escape Velocity, Chris mentioned something about coming from a family of Druids. Chris clearly is a modern day Bard in his own right. Anyway, it'd be fascinating to hear him talk more about that.

[@ronthorn3]

Having Chris Hannah on your show just got you a subscriber. Think about that for a moment..

[@QwithTomPower]

Don't worry, we're taking this moment very seriously.

[@benjameshowden]

One. Subscriber. Think.

[@danevertt3210]

@@benjameshowden shut up

[@TxShoreDog84]

One of the most brilliant minds out there dropping the "irregardless" bomb😢

[@drewr.321]

This band opened my eyes to the world outside the mainstream, and punk rock was already such a sub culture to mainstream ideals. My ideals shifted in such a polarizing, manner which I believe has been overwhelmingly for the better words cannot truly convey. I have nothing but gratitude for Chris, the Rod, Jord and Sulynn for the new record and continuing for forge forward with their message.

[@karlhoweth1893]

Chris is just a wonderful human being!

[@QwithTomPower]

He really is! Thank you for watching!

[@chrisbeaudoin9818]

@Chris Wise he meant me

[@JeffBourke]

i can't believe I have listened to this guy sing so many times but this is the first time I ever even seen his face. What a legend.

[@philpheburbs]

this is class. i'm indebted to chris and propagandhi for putting me on a path to progressive political education.

[@FiberFairy22]

How did I never know about you guys, Propagandhi!

[@henrikseip]

Thanks for this!

[@yesfratbknowin1631]

by the way awesome interview I was hooked on every word cheers

[@demian8439]

THATS HOW YOU DO AN INTERVIEW!! Wonderful job all around!

[@jlinteris]

Good Vid! Interviewer is very educated and well spoken.

[@digitalcriminal1983]

Jesus H. Chris Hannah thank you with sincere gratitude for doing this interview (in addition to all of your genuine effort and inimitable success with the band)!! This interview is excellent due to the impeccable interviewer and his well thought out, sensible (and not sensational) questions. Thanks fellas this is great! \M/Propagandhi \M/

[@907252]

Here I am, kept up at night by the events around me, consoling myself with the voices of my heroes who are also kept up at night by the things happening around them.

[@jennfiorentino]

I really enjoyed this!

[@ezekielgehr6930]

Hey Jenn. Propagandhi Is my favorite band. Will you cover some of the newer propagandhi songs?

[@anderstrawen2756]

I came here from one of your newer covers, thanks for that! :-)

[@pacorivera7672]

I really enjoy you! You're amazing!

[@ChrisLove713]

Cover Boxcar Racer

[@tomace194]

Must have been a honor to sing with them.

[@michaelimperato9125]

I love this band so much...been a fan since 96

[@russelljazzbeck]

Chris appears solemn about the topics that motivate his convictions.

[@quincymb8576]

Yeah, not sure I am with him on all the topics, but he seems much less douchey than I would have expected based upon political affiliations. Seems serious and thoughtful and reserved in a sense.

[@talktokale]

Years, decades, of holding hard beliefs closely and trying to live your life will do that to you.

[@bencook5821]

Less talk, more rock still my favourite album from propagandhi to this dAy. It turned me on to human rights, animal rights, sexism, capitalism, Noam Chomsky, etc... all of the topics we don’t hear about in mainstream media.

[@krustacular]

well said. this is why they are awe inspiring. self critical, humble, thought provoking and challenging your brainwashed world views. step up or become a self-obsessed, distracted old person.

[@skidart9063]

Propagandhi is awesome. Ever since i heard them on the second fat music comp i was hooked

[@jimmyzbike]

Amazing. Thanks for sharing

[@TheChristellar]

excellent. would also love to see Russ Rankin jump in on this convo.

[@lienrodeo]

This man is a concious human. His band focused me in the 90s to be the person i needed to be. Turned me onto Noam Chomsky etc. And changed my life Again , they kicked me back in line with todays empires... They are a guide to being a better human. And one if only a few bands to actually get better with every album. If you guys do read this, know im eternally grateful. And thank you for the music!❤

[@robtomben]

Less Talk More Rock definitely changed my perspective back then. My friends and I were the classic skaters he referred to. We couldn't deny our love for the music so it forced us all to take a hard look at our attitudes.

[@yaboyreege7158]

@@softskullbubblebrain maybe not now, back back in the early 2000s-late 90s, a lot of these bands were synonymous with skateboarding. Hence the sub genre “skatepunk”, and like all other groups of people with similar interests, a few bad apples can ruin it for everyone. Like how when Chris referred to the Homohobia in the skate scene. I knew it existed but never saw it first hand. Everyone I knew as well as myself were always ok with that

[@yaboyreege7158]

@@softskullbubblebrain wether they were in videos or not is irrelevant lol plenty of skaters jammed Propagandhi and they weren’t in videos or recording their skating. Me and my friends were all into punk of all types and we loved this band. You’re just a hater and it’s pathetic. Get a hobby

[@diafenix]

"So, how do you handle, knowing that, like at night time trying to sleep?" CH: Ha!, I don't sleep. "...Ha ha ha, really, really..." CH: Really.

[@HossBossman]

amazing interview

[@andrewprobst846]

Always been one of my favorite bands but Holy hell I love them even more after this

[@tobyb1018]

To quote NOFX - “if you think punk rock doesn’t mix with politics, you’re wrong “. It is, always has been and always should be political.

[@jameslykins9206]

It does but is not all inclusive of......

[@mrmanju6989]

it's a bit cringe any time that they do mix though. Anti-Flag and Propagandhi are good in spite of their obtuse political message, not because of it. But it helps to listen to artists whose message you disagree with. Some ppl cannot do that

[@danevertt3210]

@@mrmanju6989 really?? Obtuse?

[@mikeg3950]

Resist/comply one of the best songs I’ve ever heard. Propaghandi is on top of their game

[@SuttonSantiniPaulo]

This interview feels so natural and calm. Really good stuff.

[@martinfriese3578]

So rare to see a band still making vital work that is as good or better than anything they've done well into their 40s. Can admit I mistakenly dismissed these guys off more than 25 years ago when they seemed part of the socal bro core scene in the early 90s.

[@seanagon182]

Rage, Goldfinger, bad religion, Dead Kennedys. Just got into prop last year. Slipped under my radar somehow. Love the lyrics. Learning new things.

[@darkwhale-og9ig]

that is a very random group of bands you just listed LOL

[@regortex3364]

The irony of a white dude patting himself on the back for not hiring a white dude, what a champ. And what about vegetables feelings, I guess they don’t matter?

[@ronjames4151]

Watching this and nation states live popped up. Went and watched now im back

[@Molotov_Milkshake]

"People these days always talk abut..." SOME GOOD GUYS? THE TROOPS?!

[@zacharyclarke4240]

lmfaoooo

[@nixthelatter]

Dear Ron Maclean. Dear coaches corner.

[@aidanlambros7171]

I’m writing... in order...

[@dyingphenix7908]

great interview.

[@QwithTomPower]

Thank you so much, and thank you for watching!

[@paule1047]

The best! 🔥

[@ryangoold4865]

I learned the Anti-Manifesto guitar riffs in like '98 when I was 10. How to clean everything is probably my favorite record of all. Such a a great 1st Album and this Victory Lap album is SO awesome. Lower Order (A good Laugh) is my favorite.

[@davidhawkins1072]

Chris deserves great recognition for his well thought out and written lyrics. He is much like listening to an angry and melodic Noam Chomsky.

[@a.s.h.a118]

Propagandhi radicalized me and I'm glad for it

[@sean1068]

Great interview. Wonder why the cameraman spazzed out at 12:50.

[@BobbyLightBlue]

Way ahead of their time…so much respect for them

[@donjackson9792]

Less talk more rock allowed me to understand its not just me feeling these things

[@chickrepelant]

"so, i just wrote it out of spite" I love this fckin band

[@andrewchristou2693]

Don’t agree with him politically but have to say one off the most awesome sounding band and vocals , riffs ,from any punk band from that time rock on man

[@tylerlougheed569]

I have enjoyed every Propagandhi record for different reasons. Failed States and Victory Lap are by far their best albums musically.

[@AnonymousBS_X]

Music is music. As an independent, I enjoy many bands, progressive or conservative. It's the passion that creates the music. Take a little bit from each but you don't need to be 100% invested to enjoy it.

[@sosacouldi3566]

One of the most important bands in history!!!

[@teamenemy.]

Lol

[@Crustiecricket]

Fr

[@tommyrot7487]

I love this

[@reallygoodsoil]

This was great. He didn't dance around the fact that the world sucks. "Won't pretend we're on the winning end, but when did that before anyways? " Thanks for doing this interview. One thing, your voice matters. Be a conduit, but don't discount how you've helped free minds dude.

[@adamkeizer-marcinkowski3129]

One of the greatest punk bands of all time!!!!

[@patswayze7359]

One of the only real punk bands,animal liberation now!!

[@kyrrinvinnicombe3660]

i traveled 1400 km one night to c them and the first people we met on the streets of Sydney was them later that night we saw them at the gig they weren't able to play cuz they didn't have work visa even though they were charatey gigs i did get them to sit down with me and have a drink Chris didn't say much just wanted to no how corporate the beer was and it was v b the bass player said nothing Jord was very talkative I'll never forget that weekend was one of the best I've ever had still my favorite people and band iv ever met cuz we ended up seeing them in someone's back yard peace and love lloydy

[@SlighlyMacs]

Honestly as someone who got into punk thru bands like Propagandhi and Crass I am always so shocked at the punx in the scene who uphold and are uncritical about systems of power and domination. As much as it may have gotten better, vegans still get made fun of, women (and any genders tbh) in the scene still get assaulted by people within the scene, social hierarchy reigns and consumption of drugs that destroy communities in the south go unquestioned. I almost wonder if there is a scene or punk community that is able to work through systemic and internalized forms of power and oppression. Thank you for changing my life and keeping punk angry and political.

[@TheCrederer]

"wuddyuh mean?" Love you, Tom.

[@dhofmann1000]

The fact that The Beav left to become a teacher is so inspiring. I would accept never having another Propagandhi record again if all of them became teachers. Knowledge for the youth would be 100% worth it.

[@stoneybologna1982]

Failed Imagineer is one of my favorites.

[@AlanShortySwanson]

this interviewer is excellent

[@jamesforrestolsen2437]

yes

[@ivankaspeadsforquincyjones9273]

The Gaza Strip, the West Bank, soon will be parking lots for American Tourist, and fascist cops. He called it. Learning the truth through punk music is about as good as it gets. Propagandhi fan since day one and now I'm 43 years old with a wife who just got into the Bible LOL

[@proyxm]

respect man

[@batmanderdad]

My hero.

[@ivankaspeadsforquincyjones9273]

Less Talk More Rock was my favorite.

[@1thess523]

I have to say that even though I don't agree with Chris probably on anything not even the style of music that they played that I enjoyed this interview he doesn't seem like the angry person you used to be or at least he used to sing like. My old band actually opened up for Propagandhi for the Less talk more Rock Tour and my brothers and I hung out with Jord and he was super cool

[@Sinastyr]

I love the new record but in chats Chris doesn't seem as fiery about politics as he was. I ain't mad. I shook his hand and thanked him for his music in Houston, TX.

[@henrybaily3495]

Great interview Depressing feeling ha ha But really interesting!

[@thomasfunk3552]

Right? Guy doesn't even like being in a band lol. That section of the interview was awkward almost.

[@sharkulashairstylist5505]

I've ALWAYS BEEN on Chis's side since the first Chicago show, I'll be there again. actually since less talk so '92 ill sill be...

[@marcreno893]

You should do a new interview with Chris on how punk rock in 2023 has devolved

[@00zero11b]

Dont necessarily agree with everything propagandhi says in their lyrics but ...god damnit...their music is great. They are allowed to have their opinion just like everyone else.

[@EzlNh8u]

Would love to see all the menbers point of views, even the beve.

[@DJABEATS]

That’s what’s up

[@bradsmithstudios8881]

God, are you there? It's me, in the denim jacket

[@ASM881]

“But seriously Chris, why do you think Ska Sucks?”

[@kennymcburns7843]

Listen to Propagandhi lyrics and you will know!!!

[@johnnyscifi]

I got a message for you, Rudy...

[@poeticdisaster7500]

The frickin horns