[A-List] Ward Churchill, Cross-Cultural Icon

["Leigh Meyers" <the.buffalo.in.the.midst@xxxxxxxxx>]

Check the set list at the bottom... Musta been *LOUD*.

Having been roughly six years since the last time Propagandhi played
in Denver, and more than 10 years since the infamous VFW hall incident
<http://www.westword.com/1996-05-23/music/feedback/>, it's no surprise
that this show was sold out. Outside the venue people pleaded for
tickets, some reminisced about their arrest at the VFW hall show, and
local author / activist / Colorado University professor Ward Churchill
showed up.

The Marquis itself is one of the better venues in Denver for smaller
shows, with a modest wooden floor space, no stage barriers and a
four-foot stage roughly the size of an average person's bedroom set in
the corner of the room.

I caught the tail end of GFK's very metalcore set, which despite what
little patience I had that night for opening bands, was enjoyable.
They were very energetic and seemed to be enjoying themselves. The
singer shouted over fast guitars and double-bass, the set rarely, if
ever, deviating from that formula. Fortunately the band didn't slip
into any breakdowns or clean-sung choruses, something a lot of bands
playing this style of music tend to do. Todd the Rodd was in the crowd
banging his head for almost the entire set.

Hiretsukan played next in what was an awkward set that seemed cut very
short. I assumed by the vocalist's pained expressions and excessive
water drinking that she was sick. They played short and fast songs
with a post-hardcore vibe to them. The female vocalist has a high,
piercing scream and gave explanations of some of the songs. I was
interested in her song explanations and their political/social nature;
however, the majority of the audience just talked over her loudly.
They finished their short set and the Propagandhi chants started.

After what was quite a long wait (too long for a punk band, the guy
next to me kept shouting) Propagandhi took the stage and tore into the
first two tracks off Potemkin City Limits. The crowd was crazy
throughout the entire set with numerous stage dives and crowd surfing.
Hannah pulled off the vocalist / lead guitar duties flawlessly (even
when nearly knocked over by a crowd surfer or sharing his mic with a
fan who obviously didn't know the lyrics). The Rodd was a machine,
moving and thrashing all around the stage. Jord spoke occasionally
between songs and the Beave said nothing. In fact, he appeared to have
the same expression on his face the entire set. At least two songs or
more from every release were played, the emphasis of it on Potemkin
and Today's Empires, Tomorrow's Ashes material.

The band did very little speaking in between songs, outside of taking
shots at MxPx and making various political or social comments. Nothing
came off preachy and Hannah and Todd were both very funny and
entertaining to watch. After a good hour or so they left the stage and
quickly returned to finish off with a three-song encore. They thanked
everyone, told us to get off MySpace, read books, and go and do
something positive that you believe in.

This tour may be over with by the time this review gets published but
I highly recommend seeing Propagandhi if you haven't yet. Good energy
and a positive band sticking to their political guns more than most
that I can think of. And who knows, it could be another few years
before they tour again.

Set list (in order of songs played, as best as I can remember):

  1. A Speculative Fiction
  2. Fixed Frequencies
  3. Fuck the Border
  4. Iteration
  5. Rock for Sustainable Capitalism
  6. Less Talk, More Rock
  7. And We Thought That Nation Statesâ
  8. Bringer of Greater Things
  9. Mate Ka Moris Ukun Rasik An
 10. Stick the Fucking Flagâ
 11. The Only Good Fascistâ
 12. Rio de San Atlanta, Manitoba
 13. Back to the Motor League
 14. Haillee Sallasse, Up Your Ass
 15. Today's Empires, Tomorrow's Ashes
 16. Life at Disconnect
 17. A People's History of the World
 18. Purina Hall of Fame

 19. Encore: Die Jugend Marschiet
 20. With Friends Like Theseâ
 21. Superbowl Patriot XXXVI

http://www.punknews.org/review/6369