Propagandhi

{{Short description|Canadian punk band}} {{about|the Canadian punk band|the English musician Propa-Gandhi|Aki Nawaz}} {{Use mdy dates|date=March 2025}} {{Infobox musical artist  | name = Propagandhi | image = Propagandhi 2007.jpg | caption = Propagandhi (from left to right: David "The Beaver" Guillas, Jord Samolesky, Todd Kowalski) performing at Galpón Víctor Jara in Santiago, Chile, 2007 | landscape = yes | background = group_or_band | alias = | origin = Portage la Prairie, Manitoba, Canada | genre = {{flatlist| * Melodic hardcore * heavy metal * skate punk (early)  }} | years_active = 1986–present | label = {{flatlist| * G7 Welcoming Committee * Fat Wreck Chords * Smallman * Grand Hotel van Cleef * Recess * Epitaph }} | website = {{URL|propagandhi.com}} | current_members = * Jord Samolesky * Chris Hannah * Todd Kowalski * Sulynn Hago | past_members = * Scott Hopper * Mike Braumeister * John K. Samson * David Guillas }}

'''Propagandhi''' is a Canadian punk rock and metal band formed in Portage la Prairie, Manitoba, in 1986 by guitarist Chris Hannah and drummer Jord Samolesky. The band is currently located in Winnipeg, Manitoba,<ref>[https://www.vice.com/en/article/a-comprehensive-look-at-winnipegs-rock-history-part-2/ "A Comprehensive Look At Winnipeg's PC Punk Scene"]. ''Noisey'', Sheldon Birnie September 22, 2014,</ref> and completed by bassist Todd Kowalski and guitarist Sulynn Hago.

== History == === Formation, first two records (1986–1997) === In 1986, Samolesky and Hannah recruited original bassist Scott Hopper via a "progressive thrash band looking for bass player" flyer posted in a local record shop.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://propagandhi.com/about/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051124123857/http://www.propagandhi.com/about/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=November 24, 2005 |title=Propagandhi … About |publisher=Propagandhi.com |date=December 26, 2010 |access-date=March 10, 2011 }}</ref> Hopper was replaced three years later by Mike Braumeister, which completed the first lineup to perform live. After the band established itself through several demos and larger shows, including one with Fugazi, Braumeister moved to Vancouver, and John K. Samson became the band's third bassist.

In 1992, Propagandhi played a show with California punk rock band NOFX and included in their set a cover version of Cheap Trick's "I Want You to Want Me". Impressed by their performance, NOFX front man Fat Mike signed them to his independent record label Fat Wreck Chords. The band later accompanied him to Los Angeles, where they recorded their debut album, ''How to Clean Everything'', released in 1993. The band spent the next three years touring and issuing several smaller releases, including the ''How to Clean a Couple o' Things'' single on Fat Wreck Chords, a split 10-inch record with I Spy, a split 7-inch with F.Y.P, and the double 7-inch ''Where Quality is Job #1'', the latter three on Recess Records.

In 1996, they recorded and released their second album, ''Less Talk, More Rock'', via Fat Wreck Chords. The title was ironic, as they had become well known for lengthy song explanations and speeches during live performances. The album was more politicized than its predecessor, with such song titles as "Apparently, I'm a 'P.C. Fascist' (Because I Care About Both Human and Non-Human Animals)", "Nailing Descartes to the Wall/(Liquid) Meat Is ''Still'' Murder", and "... And We Thought Nation-States Were a Bad Idea". Ramsey Kanaan, founder of the anarchist publishing company AK Press, appears on "A Public Dis-Service Announcement from Shell" as the voice of the petroleum multinational. Partial proceeds of the album were donated to AK and other activist groups. ''Less Talk, More Rock'' caused some controversy at the time of its release due to the band's pro feminism and "gay positive" stance which, according to Hannah, clashed with the sexist and homophobic culture of the West Coast punk rock scene with which the band had become associated.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xfNLY_sR1xs |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/xfNLY_sR1xs |archive-date=December 21, 2021 |url-status=live|title=According to Propagandhi: How the punk scene, politics and activism have evolved over the years |publisher=q on cbc|date=November 7, 2017 |access-date=March 30, 2018}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

=== ''Today's Empires, Tomorrow's Ashes'' (1997–2005) === After ''Less Talk, More Rock''{{'}}s release, Samson departed and formed The Weakerthans. Hannah's then-roommate Todd Kowalski, formerly of Propagandhi's touring mates I Spy and the political grindcore band Swallowing Shit, replaced him. Hannah and Samolesky also founded the record label G7 Welcoming Committee Records, which also released The Weakerthans' first album. The label structured itself around the participatory economic proposals of Robin Hahnel and Michael Albert.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.punknews.org/review/420 |title=review of Swallowing Shit album |date=August 2001 |publisher=Punknews |access-date=March 10, 2011}}</ref> The band issued ''Where Quantity Is Job #1'', a collection of EP and compilation tracks, demos, and live songs.

In 2001, Propagandhi released their third album, ''Today's Empires, Tomorrow's Ashes''. The album was considered by some<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.juicycerebellum.com/freestuff05prop.htm|title=Review of ''Today's Empires, Tomorrow's Ashes'' with comments by bassist Todd Kowalski|access-date=September 29, 2012|archive-date=October 2, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111002230131/http://www.juicycerebellum.com/freestuff05prop.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref> to be a major departure from their previous works. The song titles and lyrics of ''Today's Empires, Tomorrow's Ashes'' furthered the sphere of their political views, bolstered by the addition of Kowalski's aggressive songwriting and an increased density of guitar lines. The album includes enhanced content, with political videos and essays concerning such topics as COINTELPRO and the Black Panther Party.

=== ''Potemkin City Limits'', expansion to four-piece (2005–2008) === thumb|Propagandhi performing in Brazil in 2007 Propagandhi released the album ''Potemkin City Limits'' on October 18, 2005. Like its predecessor, the album features multimedia content, with a number of PDF files on topics such as participatory economics and veganism, and links to websites of organizations that Propagandhi support. The album's opening track, "A Speculative Fiction", won the 2006 SOCAN Songwriting Prize<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.socansongwritingprize.ca/past-nominees-and-winners/|title=Past Nominees and Winners|website=Socansongwritingprize.ca|access-date=June 6, 2016|archive-date=June 6, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170606114756/http://www.socansongwritingprize.ca/past-nominees-and-winners/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name=globe>[https://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/propagandhi-machine/article1155603/ "Propagandhi machine"]. Robert Everett-Green, ''Globe and Mail'', March 19, 2009</ref> by online vote.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.echoprize.ca/echoen/history.jsp |title=ECHO Songwriting Prize: Past Nominees & Winners |publisher=echoprize.ca |access-date=September 25, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121017064524/http://www.echoprize.ca/echoen/history.jsp |archive-date=October 17, 2012 }}</ref> Propagandhi pledged to use the $5000 prize to make donations to the Haiti Action Network and The Welcome Place, an organization in Winnipeg for which they'd previously done volunteer work which helps refugees start new lives in Manitoba.

Hannah briefly adopted the pseudonym Glen Lambert in the run-up to and immediate aftermath of the release of ''Potemkin City Limits'', causing confusion among some fans, reviewers, and commentators;<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.skratchmagazine.com/interviews/interviews.php?id=145 |title=de beste bron van informatie over webarchiv |publisher=skratchmagazine.com |access-date=March 10, 2011 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101128113517/http://skratchmagazine.com/interviews/interviews.php?id=145 |archive-date=November 28, 2010 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://uppingtheanti.org/node/1574|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090605071408/http://uppingtheanti.org/node/1574|url-status=dead|title=''Upping the Ante''|archive-date=June 5, 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Sutherland |first=Sam |url=http://exclaim.ca/articles/points.aspx?csid1=75 |title=Propagandhi Aren't Sexy |publisher=Exclaim.ca |access-date=March 10, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070626131247/http://www.exclaim.ca/articles/points.aspx?csid1=75 |archive-date=June 26, 2007 }}</ref> the band concluded the prank by announcing on August 14, 2006, that Glen Lambert had been dismissed and would be replaced by "former" member Chris Hannah. This coincided with the addition of second guitarist David Guillas, marking the band's first four-piece lineup in their then-twenty year career. Guillas, nicknamed "The Beaver", was a former member of two Winnipeg-based rock outfits, Giant Sons and Rough Music. Hannah had previously stated that he had been a fan of, and influenced by, Guillas' work in Giant Sons.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.punknews.org/article/14768 |title=Propagandhi |date=December 8, 2005 |publisher=Punknews.org |access-date=March 10, 2011}}</ref>

In 2007, the band released a DVD entitled ''Live from Occupied Territory'', which features a recording of their set at The Zoo in Winnipeg on July 19, 2003. Proceeds of the DVD benefit the Grassy Narrows road blockade and the Middle East Children's Alliance. Included on the DVD are two full-length documentaries: ''Peace, Propaganda and the Promised Land'', and ''As Long as the Rivers Flow''.

=== ''Supporting Caste'', ''Failed States'' (2008–2015) === The band spent the following years working on their fifth record, ''Supporting Caste''.<ref name=globe /> During the recording sessions, Hannah stated that to his ears the record "resemble[d] a nuclear-powered space-age composite of ''Potemkin City Limits'', ''Less Talk More Rock'', Giant Son's ''Anthology'' and a carefully measured dose of ''Today's Empires Tomorrow's Ashes''". The band created a web page giving fans an option to receive two high-quality songs from the album before its release by donating $1 to $10 to one of three activist organizations which they supported. The page also linked to various pre-orders of the album.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://propagandhi.com/supporting-caste/index.php |title=''Supporting Caste'' :: Pre-order ended |publisher=Propagandhi |access-date=March 10, 2011}}</ref> It was officially released on March 10, 2009.

The digital ''Recovered EP'' followed on April 6, 2010. It featured old recordings from the ''How To Clean Everything'' and ''Less Talk, More Rock'' eras, remastered and with new parts recorded by Hannah.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.g7welcomingcommittee.com/discography/g7059.php |title=The Recovered EP // G7 Welcoming Committee Records |publisher=G7welcomingcommittee.com |date=April 6, 2010 |access-date=March 10, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130124001714/http://www.g7welcomingcommittee.com/discography/g7059.php |archive-date=January 24, 2013 }}</ref> A split 7-inch with Sacrifice followed that December, featuring Propagandhi covering Corrosion of Conformity.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://propagandhi.com/2010/08/1015/ |title=Split 7" with Sacrifice!!! |publisher=propagandhi.com |date=August 28, 2010 |access-date=March 10, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120713175657/http://propagandhi.com/2010/08/1015/ |archive-date=July 13, 2012 }}</ref> In collaboration with their friends and fellow musicians from Sheet Happens Publishing and Protest the Hero, Propagandhi also released a tablature transcription of ''Supporting Caste'' for guitar and bass in early 2012.

The group began plans for a new record shortly after completing ''Supporting Caste''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.punknews.org/article/32289 |title=Chris Hannah (Propagandhi) |date=February 10, 2009 |publisher=Punknews.org |access-date=March 10, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.issueoriented.com/news/episode-41-now-playing-propagandhi-mike-hale/ |title=Episode 41 Now Playing! Propagandhi, Mike Hale, Justin Brannan |publisher=IssueOriented.com |date=March 25, 2009 |access-date=March 10, 2011 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110713065217/http://www.issueoriented.com/news/episode-41-now-playing-propagandhi-mike-hale/ |archive-date=July 13, 2011 }}</ref> After several years' work and pre-release snippets offered through various Internet outlets, ''Failed States'', their sixth studio album, was released on September 4, 2012, through Epitaph Records.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.punknews.org/article/48112/propagandhi-to-release-failed-states-weve-got-a-trailer-exclusive |title=Videos: Propagandhi to release ''Failed States'', we've got a trailer (Exclusive) |date=July 16, 2012 |publisher=Punknews.org |access-date=July 16, 2012}}</ref> Early reviews were generally positive: ''Revolver'' praised the record's musical and lyrical accomplishment,<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.revolvermag.com/reviews/review-propagandhi-failed-states.html|title=Propagandhi – ''Failed States'' – ''Revolver Magazine''|magazine=Revolver|date=August 21, 2012|access-date=September 5, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120831063147/http://www.revolvermag.com/reviews/review-propagandhi-failed-states.html|archive-date=August 31, 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> while ''Exclaim!'' identified its improvements upon the standards set by the band's recent work.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://exclaim.ca/News/propagandhi_talk_their_return_with_failed_states|title=Propagandhi Talk Their Return with ''Failed States''|magazine=Exclaim!|date=August 30, 2012|access-date=September 5, 2012}}</ref> In October 2012, the release of the ''Failed States'' tab book was announced.

=== ''Victory Lap'' (2015–2025) === David Guillas has not been part of the touring lineup as of September 2015. The band added Floridian musician, Sulynn Hago, as their touring guitarist.<ref>{{cite web|title=Propagandhi Job Posting! Wanted: Guitarist/ Beaver Impersonator!|url=http://propagandhi.com/2015/06/propagandhi-job-posting-wanted-guitarist-beaver-impersonator/|publisher=Propagandhi|date=June 8, 2015|access-date=June 10, 2015|archive-date=October 2, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151002150718/http://propagandhi.com/2015/06/propagandhi-job-posting-wanted-guitarist-beaver-impersonator/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://propagandhi.com/2015/09/the-double-axe-stack-attack-is-back-jack-so-dont-gimme-no-flak-you-domesticated-bovid-himalayan-yak/|title=The Double Axe Stack Attack Is Back Jack so don't gimme no flak you domesticated bovid Himalayan yakpublisher=Propagandhi.com|date=September 30, 2015|access-date=September 30, 2015|archive-date=September 16, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160916171227/http://propagandhi.com/2015/09/the-double-axe-stack-attack-is-back-jack-so-dont-gimme-no-flak-you-domesticated-bovid-himalayan-yak/|url-status=dead}}</ref> On May 10, 2017, the band announced on their Facebook page that a new studio album had been recorded;<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/Propagandhi/photos/a.111905057233/10154311764947234/?type=3 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/facebook/27902392233/10154311764947234 |archive-date=February 26, 2022 |url-access=limited|title=Propagandhi|website=Facebook.com}}{{cbignore}}</ref> the new album, ''Victory Lap'', was released on September 29 through Epitaph Records. On the album, Sulynn Hago was credited as a band member and David Guillas a "Propagandhi alumnus" who had contributed additional guitar parts.<ref name="Victory Lap">{{Cite AV media notes|title=Victory Lap |title-link=Victory Lap (Propagandhi album) |type=Liner notes}}</ref>

=== ''At Peace'' (2025–present) === On March 10, 2025, the band announced that their new album, ''At Peace'', would be released on May 2 through Epitaph Records.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.punknews.org/article/85052/propagandhi-to-release-new-album-share-at-peace-lyric-video|title=Propagandhi to release new album, share "At Peace" lyric video|last=Moore|first=Em|website=Punknews|date=March 10, 2025|access-date=April 5, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250310162252/https://www.punknews.org/article/85052/propagandhi-to-release-new-album-share-at-peace-lyric-video|archive-date=March 10, 2025}}</ref> The announcement was followed by the release of the title track.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.stereogum.com/2299760/propagandhi-announce-first-new-album-in-eight-years-at-peace/music/|title=Propagandhi Announce First New Album In Eight Years At Peace|last=Breihan|first=Tom|website=Stereogum|date=March 10, 2025|access-date=April 5, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250310171005/https://www.stereogum.com/2299760/propagandhi-announce-first-new-album-in-eight-years-at-peace/music/|archive-date=March 10, 2025}}</ref>

==Musical style== While their earlier work was aligned with the punk rock and skate punk tradition, in later years Propagandhi records have moved towards a heavier and more technical heavy metal and thrash-influenced sound.<ref>Multiple sources: *{{Cite web |last=Firth |first=Cole |date=September 27, 2017 |title=Propagandhi - Victory Lap |url=https://exclaim.ca/music/article/propagandhi-victory_lap |access-date=2025-03-06 |website=Exclaim!}} *{{cite web |last=Heslam |first=Jessica |url=http://news.bostonherald.com/entertainment/music/general/view/2009_03_16_Disseminating_political_Propagandhi/srvc=home&position=recent |title=Disseminating political Propagandhi – BostonHerald.com |publisher=News.bostonherald.com |date=March 17, 2009 |access-date=March 10, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110613044436/http://news.bostonherald.com/entertainment/music/general/view/2009_03_16_Disseminating_political_Propagandhi/srvc%3Dhome%26position%3Drecent |archive-date=June 13, 2011 }} *{{cite news |author=Brendan Joel Kelley |url=http://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/2004-01-08/music/suicide-squeeze |title=Suicide Squeeze, page 1 – Music |newspaper=Phoenix New Times |date=January 8, 2004 |access-date=March 10, 2011 |archive-date=May 18, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110518131104/http://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/2004-01-08/music/suicide-squeeze/ |url-status=dead }} *{{cite web|url=http://www.punknews.org/bands/propagandhi |title=About Propagandhi |date=December 8, 2005 |publisher=Punknews.org |access-date=March 10, 2011}} *{{cite web|last1=Anthony|first1=David|title=On 'Victory Lap,' Propagandhi Go from Political Punk Pioneers to Participants|url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/propagandhi-victory-lap-interview/|website=Vice|date=September 27, 2017 |access-date=April 15, 2018}}</ref> Both in their lyrics and hands-on activism, the band's members champion various left wing and anarchist causes and veganism, and have taken a vocal stance against human rights violations, sexism, racism, nationalism, homophobia, imperialism, capitalism, and organized religion.<ref>[https://vegetarianstar.com/tag/propagandhi Propagandhi Likes Vegan Thai Food On The Road], ''Vegetarian Star'', April 1, 2009.</ref><ref>{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20110607150220/http://www.chartattack.com/news/29512/propagandhi-randy-bring-the-message-to-western-canada Propagandhi & Randy Bring The Message To Western Canada]}}, ''Chart Attack'', August 10, 2001.</ref>

== Members == {{col-begin}} {{col-2}}

;Current members *Chris Hannah – lead and backing vocals, guitar (1986–present) *Jord Samolesky – drums, backing vocals (1986–present) *Todd Kowalski – bass, backing and lead vocals (1997–present) *Sulynn Hago – guitar, backing vocals (2015–present)

{{col-2}} ;Former members *Scott Hopper – bass, backing vocals (1986–1989) *Mike Braumeister – bass (1989–1991) *John K. Samson – bass, backing and lead vocals (1991–1997) *David Guillas – guitar (2006–2015) {{col-end}}

=== Timeline === {{#tag:timeline| ImageSize = width:900 height:auto barincrement:25 PlotArea = left:100 bottom:60 top:10 right:20 Alignbars = justify DateFormat = mm/dd/yyyy Period = from:01/01/1986 till:11/11/2025 #it is best not to use auto-updating timelines as it can cause problems when the graphic updates on a daily basis TimeAxis = orientation:horizontal format:yyyy Legend = orientation:horizontal position:bottom ScaleMajor = increment:3 start:1986 ScaleMinor = increment:1 start:1986

Colors = id:Vocals value:red legend:Vocals id:BVocals value:pink legend:Backing_vocals id:Guitars value:green legend:Guitar id:Bass value:blue legend:Bass id:Drums value:orange legend:Drums id:Album value:black legend:Studio_album id:bars value:gray(0.95)

BackgroundColors = bars:bars

LineData = color:Album layer:back at:05/31/1993 at:04/23/1996 at:02/06/2001 at:10/18/2005 at:03/10/2009 at:09/04/2012 at:09/29/2017 at:05/03/2025

BarData = bar:Hannah text:"Chris Hannah" bar:Guillas text:"David Guillas" bar:Hago text:"Sulynn Hago" bar:Hopper text:"Scott Hopper" bar:Braumeister text:"Mike Braumeister" bar:Samson text:"John K. Samson" bar:Kowalski text:"Todd Kowalski" bar:Samolesky text:"Jord Samolesky"

PlotData = width:11 textcolor:black align:left anchor:from shift:(10,-4) bar:Hannah from:start till:end color:Vocals bar:Hannah from:start till:end color:Guitars width:3 bar:Guillas from:08/01/2006 till:09/01/2015 color:Guitars bar:Guillas from:08/01/2006 till:09/01/2015 color:BVocals width:3 bar:Hago from:09/30/2015 till:end color:Guitars bar:Hago from:09/30/2015 till:end color:BVocals width:3 bar:Hopper from:01/01/1986 till:02/01/1989 color:Bass bar:Hopper from:01/01/1986 till:02/01/1989 color:BVocals width:3 bar:Braumeister from:02/01/1989 till:05/01/1991 color:Bass bar:Samson from:05/01/1991 till:04/01/1997 color:Bass bar:Samson from:05/01/1991 till:04/01/1997 color:Vocals width:3 bar:Kowalski from:04/01/1997 till:end color:Bass bar:Kowalski from:04/01/1997 till:end color:Vocals width:3 bar:Samolesky from:start till:end color:Drums }}

== Discography == {{Main|Propagandhi discography}}

* ''How to Clean Everything'' (1993) * ''Less Talk, More Rock'' (1996) * ''Today's Empires, Tomorrow's Ashes'' (2001) * ''Potemkin City Limits'' (2005) * ''Supporting Caste'' (2009) * ''Failed States'' (2012) * ''Victory Lap'' (2017) *''At Peace'' (2025)

== See also == *Animal rights and punk subculture

== References == {{Reflist}}

== External links == {{cc}} * [http://propagandhi.com/ Propagandhi] official website *{{allmusic}} *{{discogs artist}} * [http://www.g7welcomingcommittee.com/ G7 Welcoming Committee] official website

Category:Canadian melodic hardcore musical groups Category:Canadian punk rock groups Category:Canadian political music groups Category:Anarcho-punk groups Category:Musical groups established in 1986 Category:Fat Wreck Chords artists Category:G7 Welcoming Committee Records artists Category:Musical groups from Winnipeg Category:1986 establishments in Manitoba Category:Recess Records artists Category:Grand Hotel van Cleef Records artists Category:Epitaph Records artists

Propagandhi

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