Greg Rekus Shares New Record & Tour Dates
For over a decade, Greg Rekus has wowed audiences with countless tours across Canada, the USA, and Europe. His energetic brand of Folk Punk and ability to entertain audiences is unmatched. Like a good wine, he gets better with age and his latest release, Sinners Go to Church Saints Go to Jail, promises to be his best work yet. Support tours for the CD and vinyl releases are already in the works and will take Rekus out on the road for the first half of 2024, visiting all his favorite stops. All tour dates can be found on the poster.
Sinners Go to Church Saints Go to Jail features a new Inside Job line-up, with Shea Koch on drums and Blue McLeod (Grotoko) on bass, accordion, and background vocals. Darryl Riley (Sub City Dwellers) returns on saxophone, and John Paul Peters (Propagandhi, Comeback Kid, Royal Canoe) once again takes the reins on recording, bringing the record together. This fresh iteration of the band gives the album an original sound that is not so much a departure from Rekus’ previous style, but a reinvigoration of the clever rhymes and catchy melodies that Rekus is known for. Featuring eleven original tracks and a cover of Philly’s beloved folk punk legends, Mischief Brew, Sinners Go to Church Saints Go to Jail is truly an album that has something for everyone.
First off care to introduce yourself to our readers?
Hey Friends! I’m Greg Rekus! I’m a folk punk artist from Winnipeg MB. On recordings you can hear me with my rad band The Inside Job but most of the year I tour solo as a 1 person punk show. I play all over the place including the USA, Europe, Mexico, and right here in Canada. I love playing live and connecting with audiences no matter how big or small. I’ve had the chance to play with a ton of rad artists and bands over the year like Propagandhi, Steel Beans, Tony Sly (RIP), Dave Hause, and a bunch of rad punk festivals like Pouzza, The Fest, and Groezrock
Tell us a bit about your recent release.
“Sinners Go to Church Saints Go to Jail” features a new Inside Job line-up, with Shea Koch on drums and Blue McLeod (Grotoko) on bass, accordion, and background vocals. Darryl Riley (Sub City Dwellers) returns on saxophone, and John Paul Peters (Propagandhi, Comeback Kid, Royal Canoe) once again takes the reins on recording, bringing the record together. Featuring eleven original tracks and a cover of Philly’s beloved folk punk legends, Mischief Brew, Sinners is truly an album that has something for everyone.
How do you typically go about the songwriting process? Do you have a specific method or creative routine that you follow?
Some artists are constantly writing throughout the year. Not me… I love a big gap between albums to grow as an artist and a person. I find after I record an album, for the next year or so, the songs just sound like B sides of the album I just finished. I do jot down lyric ideas, little melodies, and stuff from time to time between albums but usually, about a year before I record is when I allow myself to start writing new songs. A lot of the time it starts with me in the jam space alone. I think my best songs are when I start with the chorus, but it can also be neat intro riffs or just a solid overall idea for a song. I often start with a few chords and a vocal melody, and I just start making up words. Some songs come fast. Like within 15 minutes, it’s done! Some can get re-worked for months before they become something I like. Some are just junk from the start… After that, I bring the song to the jam space, and the band and I arrange it with the drums, bass, and sax parts, and off we go!
Looking ahead, what are your plans for supporting this new release? Are there any upcoming tours, music videos, or additional content that fans can look forward to in connection with this project?
I’m on the road about 7 months of the year, and I try to do at least 150 shows every year! Not only do I love touring and travelling and playing, I’ve made so many friends everywhere seeing them is another big part of being me. I also think my live show is AS big a part of my music as the record. I wanna make an effort to visit all the cities that have music scenes and meet everyone who’s a part of them and play for them. It’s great having a bunch of plays online and stuff but until I actually play in front of someone and sell them a record, it just doesn’t feel real to me. My next tour takes me playing my way through the midwest and eastern USA to Quebec. From there I fly to Europe and play in several different countries for almost 2 months before flying back and speeding home to go back to work.
Looking back on your musical career, is there a particular moment or accomplishment that you consider a turning point or a highlight?
I think when I released Punkousitc in 2014 and got on The Fest in Gainesville FL. That was when I started getting better shows and really sprouting as a solo artist. Before that, a few people knew me from my old band high five drive in Canada and Europe but I was brand new in the USA begging for shows and playing mostly open mic nights. Once I got on The Fest it just got way easier to meet people and find out about all the amazing music scenes all over the place
Last but not least, it’s time to pay it forward, what upcoming band or artist would you recommend your fans check out?
I love the new Jeff Rosenstock Album Helloed and have been spinning it a bunch. My friend Mikey Erg is an amazing artist and check out all his stuff. I’m listening to Teenage Halloween a bunch and am stoked on them. Tim Holehouse and I have toured together and bunch, and he just released a new record so be sure to check that out. Chloe Hawes from the UK and I did a tour last year and they were awesome to listen to every night. Tooo many to name! Also, it may be a good time to thank all the amazing friends who have booked me over the years. Came to the show and bought a record. Gave me a place to sleep and a warm meal. Without you all, I am nothing but a weirdo with a guitar living in a van.
Connect with Greg Rekus:
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