Numerous hard working folk punk rock singer-songwriters have made an indelible mark on listeners and audiences from all over the world and we’ve always loved their dedication to be on what seems like a never-ending tour. Our today’s guest, Winnipeg’s folk punk rocker Greg Rekus went on a Canadian tour with our buddy Gab De La Vega (see our recent interview on DIY touring HERE) and we’re pleased to give you their artist-to-artist interview, in which Greg discusses his path to becoming a prolific writer, and DIY punk rock solo performer.
Greg’s latest record “Sibling Cities” was released in early 2017 and can be grabbbed via Bandcamp.
Greg Rekus first hit the road as a solo artist in March 2011. Since then, he has played some of the greatest punk music festivals around, including The Fest, Pouzza Fest, and Groezrock Music Festival. He has toured Europe three years in a row from London to Ukraine. He has toured the United States and Canada over ten times. Finally, he has released two full length albums and a 7 inch in several different countries through a network of indie labels. After teaming up with sound wiz John Paul Peters (Royal Canoe, Comback Kid, Propagandhi) for a month of tracking and mixing, Greg released his sophomore album “Punkoustic”. Wanting this to be a step up from his debut album “The Dude Abides”, he enlisted the grooves of bassist Nick Kouremenos (This Is A Standoff) and drumming of Jaime Carraso (Flying Fox and the Hunter Gatherers). The end product is a new sonic alloy combining a punk band with Stomping Tom Connors. Blowing minds since it’s release on January 8th 2014, the album broke the top 30s on college charts across Canada and the USA and boasted a number 10 spot on Vancouver CITR. In addition, the album climbed all the way to number 1 on CKUW Winnipeg! Live, Greg’s act can be described as punk inspired riot folk that engages crowds of all styles and configurations around the world. The lyrical content stretches from drinking in your favorite bar, to relationships, political jousting, life in general, and more. His energy level is rivaled by few solo artists, and he is most known for strumming the hell out of an acoustic guitar and stomping the beat out on his custom built stomp box.
Greg’s Passion for music is bursting at the seams. It is the driving force that keeps him on the road 6 – 7 months a year and cranking out album after album of punk rock goodness. Greg Rekus will stick to his rigorous tour schedule and loves to do every radio, newspaper, and website interview that passes by. His hard work has already gotten him to places he never thought attainable and the only way from here is up.
