… a bit of a catch-up with The Fallout … you can catch the band as part of Spring Offensive 2019, happening Friday, March 22nd in Toronto at See-Scape, Saturday, March 23rd in Kitchener at The Boathouse and Sunday March 24th in Hamilton at This Ain’t Hollywood … they’ll be playing along-side such fellow travellers as Lee Reed, Union Thugs, Bring The War Home, Reckless Upstarts, Rough Cuts and more … see entries below for for info … and keep an eye on the band’s website …
For those who might not be familiar with the band, what is The Fallout all about?
The fallout is a 3 piece punk rock band. We are influenced by old school bands like The Clash, The Jam and Stiff Little Fingers. We typically play songs that have something to say, very quickly. We are probably a cross between Anti-Flag and The Queers.
What’s the band been up to … I know there are new members, new release(s) … give us an update.
After some time off, we have returned with a new bass player. We are lord Byron – guitar, Patty O’Lantern – bass, Dr Bob – drums. Patty also plays in Brutal Youth and Dragged In. We just released a 4-song 7-inch and look forward to releasing a full length some time this year.
You’ve been slowly remixing some of the previous releases, how and why did that all come about.
We are getting our older CD’s ready for the streaming platforms. Dusting them off and 
giving them a fresh polish. Hopefully there are fans who will enjoy them.
[ … as of October 2018, 2004’s ‘Turning Revolution Into Money’ has been remixed / remastered / released as “Still Turning Revolution Into Money.” And 2005’s ‘What Is Past Is Prologue’ has just been remixed / remastered / released as “What Is Past Is (Still) Prologue.” Both are now up on The Fallout’s bandcamp page and are free / pay-what-you-can downloads … give ’em a spin … ! ]
The band focuses somewhat on Canadian issues … songs like ‘Leaving Ontario’ which is about migrant workers, for example, and, you’ve said: “ as much as we can, we deal with issues that we can actually act on in our communities. International issues are important, but it’s just too easy to point out someone else’s mistakes while ignoring our own.” Any particular Canadian issues getting your dander up these days?
Our new songs will cover familiar topics. We have songs about respect for women – ‘Holding up Half The Sky,’ and rants about the government such as ‘Failure of Character.’ Don’t worry, we’re still behind the times, ‘Failure Of Character’ was written about Stephen Harper.
You’ve got a new 4-song 7-inch out now “Raise Your Flag And Other Anthems” … how about a bit of a run-through of what the tunes are about?
‘Red Light Union’ and ‘Wage Slave’ were written by Patty. A song about the rights of sex trade workers and a rant about working and living in Toronto.
‘Walk in the Sun’ is an old song written by Paul.
‘Raise Your Flag is a song I wrote about gay rights as a conversation with my daughter.
From previous conversations, I know you read a lot and work what you’ve read into your lyrics. Any good books on the go? Any recommended reads?
I recently finished ‘The Case Against The Case For Christ’ by Bob price. A rebuttal of Lee Strobel’s book ‘The Case For Christ’. I think the time has come for honest conversations regarding books of faith. I don’t have much patience for evangelical apologists.