Brian Baker also felt it: since the end of the pandemic, something has changed in the energy of the public during a concert. “There was a moment when we even wondered if we could once again gather a large crowd in one place for a concert. I was so reassured to see the enthusiasm of the fans when we returned, and since our audience tends to be less dismissive about science, we saw them, wearing the mask, getting into the pity to jostle each other while we were playing. It was beautiful to see! “testifies the guitarist of Bad Religion. The group will be in concert Sunday on the Plains of Abraham, during a poster 100% punk topped by Green Day.
Have you also noticed, Brian Baker, if the deleterious atmosphere of our times, warlike and climatically trying, has an impact on the mood of the fans during your concerts? “That’s a good observation,” replies the American punk veteran, back home in New Jersey, back from a series of concerts in Europe.
“To a certain extent, yes: the more people experience problems, the more the experience of a concert will serve as a collective release, like the one we are about to give at the Festival d’été de Québec. Attending a show is a way to take a break from our daily lives and do some good. For me, the only time I really feel free is when I’m on stage, doing what I know how to do best, concentrating on giving the best concert possible. If it’s good for me, then I’m sure it’s good for the audience too. »
The pandemic has delayed the course of the tour of the 40e anniversary of Bad Religion, American punk legend Baker joined 29 years ago, after writing his own page in the history of this scene as a founding member of the mythical group Minor Threat, heroes of the ” do it yourself », inventor (in spite of himself) of the movement straight edge (no alcohol, no drugs, praise the self control), whose name is borrowed from the title of the 46-second rant of the group’s first micro-album, released in 1981. Bad Religion still honors today the commitments postponed by the confinements, which delays the production, already promised, of sound 18e album, the writing of which has already begun, confirms Baker.
Timeless
The guitarist tackles it on his days off “and our time is not lacking in inspiring subjects, isn’t it? And more for a militant rock band like Bad Religion. “What inspires me today? It’s impossible to ignore the rising tide of attacks on our freedoms by the far right — all over the world, not just in the United States. Anyone attentive to the state of the world has noted this alarming tendency for unreasonable and anti-humanistic thinking. It’s incredibly frustrating, to the point where it becomes difficult to read headlines daily, but I feel like I have to do it anyway. »
Bad Religion’s latest album, Age of Unreason, composed during the Trump years, sought to sensitize fans to this unreasonable drift to the right which encroaches on the rights of a lot of communities which, as we can see today, can no longer take their freedoms for granted. The stinking trace of the orange president was mentioned, but the man never named.
“Name people, it ages badly, says the musician. We seek to compose songs that can remain relevant, ten years after a presidential election. Above all, I believe that what makes the work of Bad Religion still relevant today is that the texts are timeless. It’s one thing to say: the President sucks! “, but at this level, the discourse is rather limited… On the other hand, if you look at an issue that affects a lot of people by shining the light on it, it will certainly give a song with a heavier text, but the public can better identify with it. »
For four decades, singer Greg Graffin has helped raise awareness with the lyrics of his songs. At his side, punk guitar master Brian Baker defined the evolution of the punk scene with barre chords. “Me, a master? he chuckles, surprised. I would love to be one… but I get what you mean. I played guitar in all those bands, for so long. I helped define the sound of American punk. But deep down, I’m just doing what I know how to do best. »
The title of master, or professor, would suit Graffin better, notes the guitarist. “Besides, he teaches in life,” he recalls about his colleague, a doctor of zoology from Cornell University. “Professor in real life and doctor in the art of delivering his texts to an audience that has changed over time. We notice that the audience is growing. Fathers and mothers attend our concerts with their sons and daughters and share the same excitement. It’s hard to describe, but in a way, the objective of our approach: the sharing of music, but also of information, of knowledge — in an unconventional way, I agree. »
Bad Religion will perform on the Plains of Abraham on Sunday evening, during the closing night of the Festival d’été de Québec.