Shehzaad Jiwani is the lead singer and lyricist in the Toronto punk rock band Greys. Formed in 2011, they’ve released a handful of singles and two LPs, including 2016’s acclaimed Outer Heaven, which is out now via both Buzz Records and Carpark Records ahead of tour dates throughout Canada and U.S. this summer. Back in April, Shehzaad and I went on an adventurous walk around his neighbouhood in Toronto with the new Rotate This location, as our prime destination. On our trek, we discussed the heart of Toronto downtown city, Scarborough and North York, running into Christina and Alanna, a grade 12 trip to Montreal, Mr. Flamingo, Shehzad’s blonde hair in grade four, his memorable face, a mean thing, being single again, singers never know how to use microphones on my show, it’s all downhill or uphill from here, border guard trouble, picking up copies of the physical album, ex-girlfriend stuff, Julian Swift and the Red Light whiskey bar, the Cola Heads, the Balconies, Get Well and North of Brooklyn Pizza, the age of outrage, the Telegramme silkscreen print shop and Matt who works there, Rotate This as neighbours, Buzz Records, Rotate This is closed early, the chorus of “Complaint Rock,” the Sonic Youth song “Swimsuit Issue” from their album Dirty and its influence on “Complaint Rock,” people who opine just to opine on the internet, Greys’ trajectory over the past five years, the FACTOR debate, writing from a socially political standpoint, Vish is sad, weed stores, getting into music as a kid, the song “Satisfaction” by the Rolling Stones, the album title Voodoo Lounge, Bridges to Babylon and k.d. lang, Rick Froberg and Mick Jagger and being yowl-y, the songs “Jumpin’ Jack Flash” and “This Mystic Decade,” playing music, a supportive dad, playing drums first, the song “1979” by the Smashing Pumpkins, where Greys came from, a more timid Toronto, CBC Radio 3, how Greys serve and reflect their community in Toronto, glibness, looking for Lisgar, a deeper delving into Outer Heaven and its dynamic musical arrangements, a stray dog, my friend Mick Brambilla and the party at his house, touring, playing punk rock, Justin Small, googling your band name, the song “If it’s All the Same to You,” and then the ramble is over.
Related links: greysband.com buzzrecords.ca carparkrecords.com vishkhanna.com
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