Jokingly describing the band as “middle-aged by punk standards” Eviction Party is a pretty awesome indication that punk bands can move apart, grow old and reform and write inspiring songs again.
Spread out across three provinces, the members of Eviction Party are back together writing new songs, touring and playing shows for the first time in nearly four years. Bassist Brad Fougere is living in Guelph, singer-guitarist Todi Stronghands had moved around the country and now splits his time between Northern Ontario and Halifax and drummer Sam Wight lives in PEI in an off-the-grid cabin she built in the woods after stints living in Newfoundland and here in Halifax.
As Fougere says, “anywhere that a couple of anarchists and punks have dug in to stay sane in the midst of this shitshow is home.”
The vast distance and years apart didn’t prove to be stumbling blocks when playing and writing together again.
“When we started practicing this spring, I hadn’t seen Sam in about four years, but we kind of just picked up where we left off. But we’re better at being a band now so hopefully that will come across,” says Stronghands. “Sam and Brad are so used to how I write, that things just happen in a natural way.”
As for growing old gracefully in the punk scene, Eviction Party have a few ideas about what that entails.
“I think the best way to age grace- fully in the punk scene is to keep playing in bands,” says Wight, “keep writing music and try to surround yourself with young punks who haven’t become jaded yet.”
“Sam and Todi both have their golden shopping carts, and I’m still a few years shy, so I like to tease them about it,” says bassist Fougere. “As for growing old gracefully, I feel like graceful is a totally inappropriate word to describe any of the important parts of punk.
“Though I’m always inspired by people who are in their 30s, 40s, and up who are still committed to a DIY ethos and who still get excited every time some 14-year-old decides to start a shitty band.”
This article appears in Jan 12-18, 2012.