Quagmire
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada | SELF
Music
Press
In literal terms, a quagmire is basically described as a really fucked up situation. I first saw the band Quagmire play about a year and a half ago and thought I had the band all figured out. I had missed them play at a couple of house parties and actually caught their set by accident by stumbling into the Albert after knocking back a case of Standard. I gained a few bruises and found myself singing along without knowing any words, and though a great time was had, I couldn’t help thinking, “Albert drinking band = let’s see if they’re still around in two months.” Well, the months kept passing by, and by now - having seen them sober more often than not - it seems a fair assertion that Quagmire is best live band in Winnipeg… maybe in years. Combining a blood-shedding, ear-splitting live show with a sonic attack that blends punk rock, hardcore, and southern rock, Quagmire thrives on unpredictability, both in its songs and live shows as a whole. When I asked the band why they thought Winnipeg has such a long-standing tradition of spawning so many on the edge, chaotic punk rock bands, guitarist Chris Gervais likened it to Winnipeg’s commensurate reputation as the murder capital of Canada. “Being holed up indoors for eight months of the year tends to make you a little restless,” he suggests. “Add too much alcohol and you’ve got the makings of a good rock ‘n’ roll band.” Jon Henderson of long-running Winnipeg HC outfit Reality’s End once described Quagmire as “those guys you see in classic ‘80s movies that crash the party and all hell breaks loose.” Adding to the uniqueness is that three-quarters of the band hail from rural Manitoba, and Quagmire makes no qualms about making country living a major component of its lyrical content. Singer Shane Haywood emphasizes the country pride when he exclaims, “Born, bred, and rarely bathe in the heart of the hillbilly outback of Manitoba, and couldn’t be happier about it! All I got to say is: If it ain’t from Anola, it ain’t shit!” After about two years together, Quagmire is ready to offer its first full-length CD, the recording process of which is described by bassist Kalyn Hanuschuk as unforgettable. “Four days of partying, greasy eggs, and making music!” The sensational One For The Ditch CD is right up there with classic Winnipeg punk rock records by the likes of Personailty Crisis, Stretch Marks, or the Horribles, and while Quagmire’s backgound is in the backwoods of Manitoba, its future appears to be going far, far, beyond. - Nerve Magazine
Discography
Albums:
Quagmire (Self-Titled Demo Recording)-2002
One For The Ditch (Debut Full Length)-2006
Quagmire EP- to be released 2008
Photos
Bio
Quagmire is the end result of four different people with four different sets of ideas and influences coming together to create one sound. Rock, Blues, Country and Punk all mashed together and stirred with a load of moonshine…top that off with soulful vocals, frenetic guitar playing and a solid rhythm section and you have the sound of Quagmire.
The formation of the band began many years ago in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, with Chris and Brad teaching each other how to play. This eventually led to us meeting Shane and teaching him bass at first, but realizing that his vocal talents were, shall we say, better than his bass playing, we began a search for a permanent bass player. We finally found the final piece of our puzzle in Kalyn in 2004, and from the first drunken night, we knew we finally had a full band.
We started to play shows after a few months and began to attract a following in the local scene. The more we played, the more it seemed people were digging our music. This led to us recording our debut full-length “One For The Ditch”, to finally have something for us, and the fans to be able to sing along with live. As we played more shows and had the chance to share the stage with many great local and touring bands, including Nine Pound Hammer, it has given us a chance to grow as musicians and performers and to find the right mix to always put on an entertaining show. When you see us play live, the only thing to expect is that we will leave every ounce of blood, alcohol and sweat on that stage. On stage is where our home is, playing music for us and whoever happens to stagger into the bar that night.
It’s beyond a reasonable doubt that Quagmire is not just 4 people coming together as a band or friends, but it is much, much more….it’s a way of life. Thirsty for the road, new venues and the chance to spread our music, we will take our instruments as far as we can and see what the future holds. Sticking together, in good times and bad, we always have the music to fall back on. It’s the foundation to everything we have accomplished so far and just the start of the great things to come. So no matter what happens or whatever we do in the future, the collaboration of Chris, Kalyn, Shane and Brad is and always will be Quagmire.
Cheers.
The Quag.
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