Calgary hardcore punk band Citizen Rage are more mature and a lot more angry since forming out of the ashes of several popular Calgary punk bands including Oh Shit! and BDFM.
“We’ve grown up. We’re more political now. With BDFM we had a lot of songs about drinking and fighting,” said Citizen Rage vocalist Mark Russell. He is a veteran of BDFM along with bassist Froid and drummer Jason J-Dog. Guitarist Kevin played with the Turretts.
“ We’ve matured. We just started writing together,” Russell said.
While the Citizen Rage are a relatively new band, the members themselves are at the core or Calgary]s Beer Core scene and have been playing in punk bands for many years.
He noted they are releasing a series of EPs not only because it is more cost effective, but it shows the band growing. It also allows them to combine songs with similar themes on the same CDs.
“ It’s deeper, he said adding the more they write together the more they are inspired by issues like abusive police and politics.
“There have been a lot of police shootings,” he observed.
“It’s a way for us to get product to our fans quicker. So we decided to release the new songs three or four at a time,” he said.
“ It’s keeps it even saturated and it also makes us write new material,” he said.
They have just released a self titled red Ep, part of a series of EPs they are releasing of various colours.
He noted they won’t be playing any BDFM songs preferring to concentrate on Citizen Rage material.
“It will be all Citizen Rage material. We don’t play covers. We’re pretty strict about keeping them separate. Citizen Rage and BDFM are two different projects,” he said.
They feed off the energy of their audience.
“ The set is pretty fast. We love interacting with people an d getting people out of their seats. The crowd fuels the energy. That’s what makes a scene. We need to work together and embrace that when we’re on stage,” he continued.
They play inferno, March 4 with local bands the Scallywags, Spacewolves and Penitentz and guests. There will be a $10 cover at the door.
