November 4, 2003
Smart lyrics set this band apart from others
The Weakerthans are a band that defy easy categorization. They arose from the ashes of Winnipeg political punk group Propagandhi, and still operate within that scene. But their ambitious third album, Reconstruction Site, contains slower tempos and not normally punk instruments like lap and pedal steel, vibes and glockenspiel -- not to mention backup vocals by Sarah Harmer and highly literate lyrics that reference Martin Amis, Michel Foucault and Antarctic explorer Ernest Shackleton.

It all adds up to a nearly perfect balance of tunes, ideas, riffs and intensity that has earned the Winnipeg band ecstatic reviews and positions at or near the top of the campus charts both here and in the U.S.

Singer/guitarist/principal songwriter John K. Samson admits that he and fellow band members Stephen Carroll, John P. Sutton and Jason Tait were, if not worried, then at least curious about how the punk faithful would respond to the new sounds and tempos.

"We worked really hard on this record for three years, and we're happy with it," he says. "We knew the big test would be how the crowds reacted to it at our live shows, and they've been great," he says. "We've always done well in the U.S. -- I think because of that punk network."

Samson gives a lot of credit to producer Ian Blurton.

"One of our goals this time was to be uncategorizable, and to make it more about narratives," he says. "Blurton had so many great ideas, and just such a good musical mind."

If Samson's music sounds like anyone, it might be his pals the Lowest Of The Low. But it's his lyrics that set the Weakerthans apart from their peers. Like the work of very few other lyricists -- Gord Downie comes to mind -- they are nearly as interesting to read without the music as with it.

"I really wanted the lyrics to be able to stand alone," admits Samson. "Gord Downie was a big influence on my songwriting, and so was Ron Hawkins. But there are lots of people who fall into that category -- Tom Waits, Joni Mitchell, Nick Cave and Sarah Harmer."

Samson's lyrics encompass nostalgic images of childhood, a complaint/pep talk from a cat, a love/hate relationship with Winnipeg and numerous references to hospitals.

"That really became a theme on the album -- illness and recovery, or reconstruction," explains Samson. "The hospital is one of those places where things become really clear, like a rock 'n' roll show sometimes.

"As for Winnipeg, I've lived there for 30 years, and I have no plans to move. Sometimes the ex-pats give me a hard time about lines like 'I hate Winnipeg,' but most people understand. I think pretty much everyone has a love/hate relationship with their hometown."

The Weakerthans play Lee's with Jim Bryson and the Fembots Thursday, with the Carnations and Christine Fellows Friday, and with Fellows and The Constantines Saturday for an all-ages show.