Here in the U S of A we generate an insane amount of media, and that includes music. Our record stores are chock full of just about every kind of music originating from every corner of the country. And we import a ton of music too. It seems like our appetite for music is insatiable. But… but not everything makes it to our shores. Not even close, really. That’s why whenever we travel I always hit some record stores, and I (almost) always ask for recommendations on local artists.
I have to confess, though, that I didn’t expect the Canadian record stores to have selections much different than those of their counterparts here in the US, at least not those in the Pacific Northwest. But of course I was wrong. When we stopped off at Redrum Records in Surrey, BC, which is just a few minutes from the US border, I was shocked by how many artists I’d never, ever, even remotely heard of. The punk section was full of bands from Toronto and Calgary and Vancouver and Saskatoon. Wait, Saskatoon? Yes, my friends. And I speak of course of Herd of Wasters.
“Forming in early 2011, these overaged adolescents got drunk and recorded an album about their hatred of Michael Graves, stupid made up drinking games, and other nonsense bullshit,” we’re told on their Bandcamp page. “Since then, they (slowly) matured and focused on writing about sexism, politics, human rights and more people they hate.” Fair. Maximum Rocknroll hated their 2×7″ debut, Just Three Dudes Havin’ A Real Good Time!. “My best description of the style,” the reviewer wrote, “would have to be ‘ignorant high school punk’.” As for me, well, I like Total Stinker. A bit old school, a bit hardcore, and a touch of pop-punk, the songs are pretty tight and short, little bursts of snottiness and disdain.
Herd of Wasters don’t appear to be on Spotify, but you can check out Total Stinker on their Bandcamp page HERE.