Cover Story  |  Article 1  | Article 2  | Article 3  | Article 4  | Article 5  |  Article 6  Calendar  |  RoadTrips  Rotation  DiscussionBoard  | Photos  | ChatRoom  | Links  | iWebTips  | Contact  |

A Drink to The Real McKenzies

By Adam Ganderson

The Real McKenzies are often grouped into that genre known as Celtic Punk. In one sense it is obvious why. They play punk rock over Scottish bagpipes. However, what sets them apart from any other band in this genre is their truly powerful delivery. They make me want to drink a bottle of scotch and go into battle. Their new album has songs about pirates, swords, drinking, and the Loch Ness Monster. After ten years of touring, they are still devoted to partying and playing loud. They are true hell raisers. With this in mind, I thought Paul McKenzie would be rude and incoherent, but found out he was both intelligent and polite.

How would you describe the McKenzies live show?

Well, we’re looking at it from a different perspective than the rest of the audience. But, basically, it’s raucous punk rock with traditional cues.

What year did you guys get together?

1992.

You’ve toured with a lot of different bands. Who are some of your favorites?

The Briefs, The Spits, Amulet, Turbo Negro. Actually, almost everyone we’ve worked with we like. Sometimes there’s an intimidation factor between bands, but we try to dispel that. Our need to party far exceeds any need for competition. Except, I think we frightened the girl in The Distillers. Even I tried to be nice to her. But as much as we tried, she still ran away with a frightened look on her little face. But usually we put all that to rest, and it’s not long before we’re raising our glasses, and rolling around on the floor screaming.

Is it true you were in a Kokanee beer commercial?

Yes. They wanted us to just stand there and hold the beer while the cameras rolled. We weren’t supposed to actually drink it. But for us it was just a natural thing to keep drinking. So eventually they tried to take our beer away, and we were like, f**k off, get your own beer.

It seems like most of your songs are about drinking.

Yeah, but if you really listen, we do have other underlying themes.

What’s your favorite drink?

Oh, there’s so many. I don’t have one. I don’t have a favorite drink, a favorite band, or favorite color. I’ll tell you what I don’t like. I don’t like fluffy drinks, like daiquiris and that shit; nothing with whipped cream in it. When I drink booze, I drink it straight. There are guys in the band though, like Dirty Kurt, who will drink any thing you put in front of him, as long as it has alcohol in it.

I once heard your music described as “Songs to rape sheep by.” Would you agree with this description?

Oh yeah. Sure. You could do that. In fact that might be a great name for our next album.

Have you ever had sex with a sheep?

Not me personally. But I think our bagpipe player has, and we all made fun of him because he chose the ugly one.

Can you tell me about your plans for world domination?

Well, we’re in the studio recording a new album. After that we go to Europe to do a festival tour. Then it’s off to Australia, Japan, back to Europe, and then South America. We’re happy to be in a position to do what we’ve dreamt about. But we’re still broke. We’ve all sold everything we own. But we’re thankful to be here. It’s better than sitting some where in a no where f**king day job.

Want To Go? The Real McKenzies play with The Mad Caddies, Rise Against, and TheFlipsides at The Boathouse on March 21.