Protest the Hero should, by rights, be sick of each other by now.
The five-man band has maintained the same lineup since they got started in 1999 — quite the feat in today’s changing music industry.
“It certainly makes us stronger. We wouldn’t be the same band if any member were to change,” lead singer Rody Walker said.
“We’re not the kind of people that could maintain the revolving door of players — we’re the same five guys we’ve always been.”
Their incessant chemistry is evident as Walker describes his band with ease.
“Fat, dumb, hairy, drunk, Canadian,” he said. “We’re pretty typical Canadians that way.”
Protest the Hero, originally named Happy Go Lucky, has released three albums in their thirteen years together — most recently their 2011 album Scurrilous.
The band is currently on tour with Black Label Society, but play a few shows in between days off.
“If we’re not playing, we’re not making any money. And if we’re not making any money, we can’t keep playing — we have to keep playing,” Walker said.
Protest the Hero is headlining a gig at Time to Laugh Comedy Club on Monday with different performers than their usual lineup.
“This won’t even be our first show at the Time to Laugh Comedy Club. I’m looking forward to seeing our name under ‘Time to Laugh’ again as it makes us look like a comedy act.” When recalling a story of the last time the Whitby-formed band made a trip home, the interview heated up as Walker told me about a protest that had occured.
“I saw there was a massive pro-life rally on the streets in Whitby and I didn’t like to see there was that much for a cause that is so bullshit.” he said.
In spite of that single incident, Walker said he’s proud of his hometown.
“Whitby is a lovely place. I’m happy to have grown up there.”
Protest the Hero plays Time to Laugh Comedy Club on Monday. Doors open at 6 p.m.
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