Shaun Cowan

Calgary, Alberta

BY None NonePublished Mar 1, 2001

Who are you? I am Shaun Cowan, aka Citrus, aka the straight edge ninja.

What are you up to? About 5'8" (insert laughter here). Actually I'm always busy promoting independent hardcore-punk labels and bands. Plus I'm busy with a web site (www.geocities.com/straightedgeninja) as well as running a small music/zine distro with my girlfriend Elizabeth (it's called "Denko's Punk Rock Emporium).

Hometown and current HQ: I grew up in Edmonton, but after much wandering I've been in Calgary for 5 years.

Current fixations: All things Straight Edge. Plus finger pointing while listening to the Youth Crew. Oh, and the DRI website.

Mind altering work of art (not your own): Actual "art", Scot Sonclai (Hot Water Music).

Most memorable/inspirational gig and why? Watching Ten Yard Fight at their last show was insane because of the crowd; Death By Stereo in Nov. 2000 was intense, what with Efram (singer) stalking around the dance floor; Avail in Detroit in '98, I sang, I danced, I sweated big time.

What should everyone shut up about? Everyone should just shut the fuck up and leave me alone.

Your greatest strength and weakness: Weakness = cherry cola and 7" records / Strength = the smell of my over-powering gas.

Your vital daily ritual: Drink coffee and eat cereal after showering in the morning. At night, drink cherry cola, watch TV and listen to the Youth Crew.

Guilty pleasure: The first Faster Pussycat and Motley Crue records.

If I wasn't playing music I would be: Locked up in rubber room.

Your most memorable day job: 16 years old and working as a DJ in a punk bar in Edmonton (circa 1990). I got paid in beer and hotdogs (this was the pre-vegetarian and straightedge days)

Best/worst advice received: Either way I probably wasn't listening. But I think that everyone should try and expierence as much as they can so they don't die wishing that they had done more with themselves.

I would drop everything to play a benefit for: Food Not Bombs, Anti-Racism, or the Youth Crew.

What makes you want to take it off and get it on? Floorpunch "Fast Times at the Jersey Shore".

What personal trait would make you kick someone out of your band? And have you? If someone lost the edge.

When I think of Canada I think: Snow, hockey, and Stompin' Tom Connors.

Music and sex: Is there a difference? Why? Nope. They both make you feel good.

Strangest brush with celebrity: I was in the first video that Econoline Crush ever made. I did it for the free chili. Oh, and once I was record shopping in Cambridge, MA, and the guy looking in the bin next to me had some cool tattoos and when I looked up it was Henry Rollins! He looked at me and said "Hello". Later that same day I ran into him again in a different store and he said Hello again.

What does your mom wish you were doing instead? My mom is awesome and I think she supports me in whatever I do.

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