Foreign View: Greg Rekus (Canada)

In this series of articles, we interview foreign musicians and other people from the underground scene about Ukrainian music. Our next hero is an Canadian punk-musician Greg Rekus. Greg toured Europe a few  times in a row from London to Ukraine. He has toured the United States and Canada even more times. Finally, he has released three full-length albums and a 7-inch in several different countries through a network of indie labels.

About the whole scene

The first time I played Ukraine was in 2008 with my old band High Five Drive. The crowds were amazing! People were going crazy, dancing and moshing. There was no doubt in my mind that we were where the punk scene was still pumping. A few years later I came back with my solo act, and the shows were amazing again. The border is not the easiest thing to get through but it was always worth it. A few of us are really making a living by playing music these days but when people are just as excited about your music as you are that is the ultimate satisfaction.

I have played in Ukraine 7 or 8 times and it’s hard to really pick any problems from what I experienced. I suppose a few times the shows weren’t very well attended, perhaps because the scene isn’t very large so if other events are happening around the same time people can't go to both and someone will be playing to a small crowd.

Winnipeg is the city I live in and our local scene is great! Not huge but big enough, so that something is happening almost every night of the week. And we have a handful of venues that will book local acts or small touring acts. I feel it’s very similar to Ukraine in that sense. We are small but mighty.

About bands and artists

I haven't’ toured with any Ukrainian artist with my solo act yet. The past several tours I came with artists from Western Europe. I would love to tour with someone from there but every time no one was really available or couldn’t get the time off work or something like that.

I work at Canada’s National Ukrainian Festival as a monitor tech, so I have worked with Ruslana, Mad Heads, Haydamaky and a few other popular Ukrainian bands or artists. As for the punk scene, my friend Andrew plays in a band called Doping from Uzhhorod and a few other friends have other projects and stuff that I’ve heard and liked.

Most of the Ukrainian performers like beer as much as I do. They are also usually really great at playing, always a pro at their instrument.

About releases

Because of the National Ukrainian Festival, a few artists are well known in Canada, but outside that circle, I don’t think many artists have the chance to come here. It would be neat if one day I could tour Canada or USA with someone from Ukraine.

Mad Heads gave me an album when I worked with them and I've had Doping’s album forever. I think I got a few demos over the years from people I played with but I can’t remember who. I’m on the road 7 months most years and my memory is not very great.

At the National Ukrainian Festival people will be wearing the shirts and stuff from the bands that come to Canada but I don’t remember doing T-shirt trades with any of the bands. A guy once traded me a Radiohead shirt for one of my shirts. I think it was literally the shirt off his back.

About labels

I don’t know any Ukrainian labels. I have always been an independent artist and just have some friends who help me to book shows.

About concerts

I’ve only been to the shows that I've played in Ukraine. They aren’t very different from the shows in Canada. Just a bunch of people having a good time and rocking out to music.

The Ukrainian Festival is pretty big. Usually around 10 000 people so it’s cool to see that many people into Ukrainian music. In the end we all love dancing and drinking and good friends. We all like having a safe space where you can just be yourself. I’ve been super lucky that everywhere I’ve gone I’ve found this and Ukraine is no different. You all have a wonderful scene and I hope I get to come back soon some time after the new record is out next year!

Previously in series: https://www.neformat.com.ua/en/rubrika/foreign-view