Rhythm Activism
Encyclopedia
Rhythm Activism was a Canadian
musical collective, revolving around the core duo of Sylvain Côté and Norman Nawrocki
. The group, based in Montreal
, performed a politically radical brand of "rock 'n roll
cabaret
".
On several occasions, the band recorded and released albums on just a few days' notice, to support political activist campaigns such as the Oka Crisis
of 1990 and a Quebec students' strike. Most of their material was released on their own Les Pages Noires label, although their final album Jesus Was Gay was distributed on G7 Welcoming Committee Records
.
The band's song "Leo Lachance" appears on the 1999 G7 compilation Return of the Read Menace
, and their song "Down in the Mines" appears on the 2005 G7 compilation Take Penacilin Now
.
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
musical collective, revolving around the core duo of Sylvain Côté and Norman Nawrocki
Norman Nawrocki
Norman Nawrocki , is a Montreal-based comedian, sex educator, cabaret artist, musician, author, actor, producer and composer. Nawrocki together with Sylvain Côté were the founding members of "rock 'n roll cabaret" band Rhythm Activism...
. The group, based in Montreal
Montreal
Montreal is a city in Canada. It is the largest city in the province of Quebec, the second-largest city in Canada and the seventh largest in North America...
, performed a politically radical brand of "rock 'n roll
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
cabaret
Cabaret
Cabaret is a form, or place, of entertainment featuring comedy, song, dance, and theatre, distinguished mainly by the performance venue: a restaurant or nightclub with a stage for performances and the audience sitting at tables watching the performance, as introduced by a master of ceremonies or...
".
On several occasions, the band recorded and released albums on just a few days' notice, to support political activist campaigns such as the Oka Crisis
Oka Crisis
The Oka Crisis was a land dispute between a group of Mohawk people and the town of Oka, Quebec, Canada which began on July 11, 1990 and lasted until September 26, 1990. At least one person died as a result...
of 1990 and a Quebec students' strike. Most of their material was released on their own Les Pages Noires label, although their final album Jesus Was Gay was distributed on G7 Welcoming Committee Records
G7 Welcoming Committee Records
G7 Welcoming Committee Records is a Canadian independent record label started by Chris Hannah and Jord Samolesky of punk band Propagandhi, and their friend Regal in 1997...
.
The band's song "Leo Lachance" appears on the 1999 G7 compilation Return of the Read Menace
Return of the Read Menace
Return of the Read Menace is a compilation album, released in 1999 on G7 Welcoming Committee Records.-Track listing:# Screeching Weasel, "My Own World"# J Church, "Tightrope"# No Use For a Name, "Hybrid Moments"...
, and their song "Down in the Mines" appears on the 2005 G7 compilation Take Penacilin Now
Take Penacilin Now
Take Penacilin Now is a 2005 compilation album released on G7 Welcoming Committee Records. The compilation features almost every artist that has released material on the label...
.
Discography
- Rhythm Activism (1986)
- Rhythm Activism Live (1987)
- Resist Much, Obey Little (1987)
- Louis Riel in China (1988)
- Un logement pour une chanson (1990)
- Fight the Hike! (1990)
- Perogies, Pasta and Liberty (1990)
- Oka (1990)
- War is the Health of the State (1991)
- Oka II (1992)
- Tumbleweed (1993)
- Blood & Mud (1994)
- More Kick! (1995)
- Buffalo, Burgers & Beer (1995)
- Jesus Was Gay (1998)
Videography
- That's the way we tie our shoes : a recipe by Rhythm Activism (1996)
- Alive and kicking : the first ten years of Rhythm Activism (1997)