For many Canadian punks not from Madcowboys' hometown of Calgary, AB, this band of prairie noisemakers first garnered attention when guitarist/vocalist Mike McLeod joined Chixdiggit on their last tour, pulling double-duty as the front-man of the opening act and bassist for the legendary Calgarian pop punk unit. It was apparent from Madcowboys' frenetic energy and gritty, catchy punk tunes that they were worthy of an audience all their own, and a constant touring schedule over the last few years has seen them earn a place in the Canuck punk rock scene. This self-titled full-length does a perfect job of capturing the band's live energy and scope of their sound, from the slow burning intensity of "American Idols" to the gutter blast of "It Don't Make No Sense." With these 16 tracks, the band have crafted something unique and catchy, drawing from old power pop as much as modern pop punk (the Dillinger Four kind, not the other one). Add crunchy, bare-bones production courtesy of Ian Blurton and you've got a winner of a punk rock record. If you like your music honest, direct and catchy as hell, you will love this record.
Did touring with Chixdiggit affect the way you approached working with your band?
McLeod: Chixdiggit were very inspiring in so many ways. They have toured so hard in their band life, they have an extremely sound work ethic and have only ever done what they've wanted to do and what they've thought was right. It was also kind of humbling going from touring Europe and Australia and shit in an established band to the poverty tours playing in front of no one with Madcowboys.
Does being from the prairies inherently breed a slightly different kind of punk rock, or does location matter?
One thing you learn through touring all the time, in the punk community or scene or whatever in Canada, is that everybody's pretty similar. There are countless nice and hospitable people all across the country willing to get you shitfaced and give you somewhere to sleep. You're a product of your environment, so, yeah, I'd say prairie punk is typically simpler and drunker. But I think the greater effects on style in punk are musical taste and influence and willingness to bend the proverbial punk restrictions.
(The New Black)Did touring with Chixdiggit affect the way you approached working with your band?
McLeod: Chixdiggit were very inspiring in so many ways. They have toured so hard in their band life, they have an extremely sound work ethic and have only ever done what they've wanted to do and what they've thought was right. It was also kind of humbling going from touring Europe and Australia and shit in an established band to the poverty tours playing in front of no one with Madcowboys.
Does being from the prairies inherently breed a slightly different kind of punk rock, or does location matter?
One thing you learn through touring all the time, in the punk community or scene or whatever in Canada, is that everybody's pretty similar. There are countless nice and hospitable people all across the country willing to get you shitfaced and give you somewhere to sleep. You're a product of your environment, so, yeah, I'd say prairie punk is typically simpler and drunker. But I think the greater effects on style in punk are musical taste and influence and willingness to bend the proverbial punk restrictions.