Still surfin'

>> >> Teatime with the Forgotten Rebels' Mickey De Sadist

by JOHNSON CUMMINS

Forgotten Rebels singer Mickey De Sadist is a shining jewel in punk rock's crown and could well be considered the Al Waxman of Canadian punk. Despite their meagre beginnings in Hamilton, Ontario, the Rebels would permanently bookmark themselves in punk rock history when, in '81, they released the punk classic "Surfin' On Heroin." In fact, the Rebels knew a good thing when they had it and actually milked the song throughout three different albums.

However, even "Surfin'" couldn't save the long line of half-hearted albums that they would release throughout the mid- to late-'80s and early '90s. Flash forward to 2001: the Rebels' bonecrunching guitars are back in the front of the mix and De Sadist's wit is well honed and more razor-sharp than ever. The new album Nobody's Heroes is easily the best they've done since 1980's classic In Love With the System.

When I phoned De Sadist at his Hamilton home, he seemed far removed from the politically incorrect spokesman who once slung barbs about hanging ten on a monstrous wave of tar heroin from beer-stained podiums. In fact, De Sadist seems about as threatening as Martha Stewart when he politely excuses himself to prepare his afternoon tea.

The Rebels' black sense of humour has always been in the crosshairs of the PC cannon but as far as De Sadist is concerned, they have only fanned the flames for this tea-totaller from "the Hammer."

"I don't think a lot of people realize I'm only joking in the songs. When I'm saying something politically incorrect, at least I'm actually making them think more often then they usually do. I think it's wasted energy to get overexcited about stuff like that because it's only rock 'n' roll."

The politically correct set aren't the only people who have had a problem with the Rebels. Because of their fans' penchant for getting more blotto than Richard Harris on a Saturday night, shows can get somewhat rowdy to the point that they have gotten a bad rep from club owners. "Sometimes things can get out of hand. In 1989 in Vancouver, some girl slashed her wrists at the front of the stage and blood spilled over into the gin-and-tonics that I had in front of me. It's not always like that, though. Sometimes I'll have rye and ginger." Insert snare shot here.

As opposed to delving into the more commercially viable sound that bogged them down in the '90s, the band has come around full-circle with a return to raw rock 'n' roll that's all about having fun. "The Forgotten Rebels have never been a career thing. I make good coin at my job [De Sadist is an underwater welder] so this is fun for me. You're supposed to have fun when you're making music and if you're not you should just stop. After over 20 years our main concern is still having a good time--and we are." With Vaginal Croutons and the Nags at Jailhouse on Saturday, Jan. 27, 9pm, $17

With DJ Food and Dynamic Syncopation at Tokyo on Thursday, Jan. 25, 9pm, $15