Communism is a remarkable three-piece pop-rock band from Toronto, Ontario. Featuring Paul Linklater and Kevin Lacroix, the band’s the brainchild of well-respected producer, drummer, singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist Don Kerr, who has worked with Ron Sexsmith, Rheostatics, Gord Downie, Leslie Feist, and many, many other people. Communism’s new record, Get Down Get Together came out this past fall and I visited Don and his son Austin, who was home sick from school, for a pancake breakfast to discuss Lego Ninjago characters and Austin, Don makes us blueberry pancakes, a gluten free pioneer, the walking, talking inspiration behind the song “Pocket Sunrise,” Queen’s “We Will Rock You” and Freddie Mercury, authentic dad rock, empathy and hope and inspiration in the world, a time to be blunt, the mockery of righteousness, embracing communism, feminism and communism, capitalism feeds on divisiveness, sharing is caring, The CBC Radio 3 Breakfast Club podcast and more pancakes, keeping up with our elders, producing records by others, collaborators and influencers, what to say, Ron Sexsmith, when time gets more valuable, we’re boring, sick kids have more fun, playing hooky, traumatic grade school events, Ferris Bueller, partying instead of lecturing, substance and style, musical balancing acts, punk rock, Claudia Dey at a farm, back to school, a tour with Bahamas filling in for Jason Tait on drums, a drummer’s good fortune, communal feelings in music, how he got in Rheostatics for being a cool guy, giving, Paul Linklater and Kevin Lacroix, the future of Communism, the Rooster and Revolution, real hippies, one of a kind vinyl sleeves, “Pocket Sunrise,” and then it was time for lunch.
Related links: communism.band vishkhanna.com
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