Trailblazing Canadian punk folk artist Eugene Ripper returns to Halifax to launch a new album, altercool at The Carleton on Tuesday Sept 27. Show time is 8 PM and admission is $10 at the door.
At the heart of altercool is a nine minute spoken word, beat driven, sonic dedication to the memory of Ripper’s musical friend and collaborator Walter Kühr, a New York based composer, bandleader and accordion guru who passed away in 2015 after battling cancer. The title track, coupled with two companion tunes “Matador” and “Ballad of The Hangman,” also represents a collaboration (completed in spring 2016) with Halifax-based production team Charles Austin/Graeme Campbell (Buck 65, Aqua Alta). Also featured on the platter are four songs from 2015’s Fast Folk Underground 4.0 EP recorded with producer John Critchley (Elliott Brood, Dan Mangan).
After cutting his rock and roll teeth as a founding guitarist for seminal Canadian surf punkabilly rockers Stark Naked & The Fleshtones, Ripper launched a solo career showcasing a storied synthesis of punk, roots, folk and rock and roll supporting his deft lyrical touch to create an ever expanding catalogue of acclaimed album work and award nominated indie singles/videos, From barbed fast’ n’ furious solo acoustic punk folk and rock and roll to imaginative atmospherics, noir ballads and sonic alt crunch, the entire package is wrapped in a post punk independent ethos – it’s a real cool time.
Ripper puts spikes back in folk music – Vancouver Province
Toronto gem Eugene Ripper has been honing his unique brand of fast-folk with a punk rock ethos since the early ’90s. Don’t miss a chance to be transported to his noir universe – Pop Montreal
Roots rock rebel summons up visions of early Johnny Cash, rockabilly and film noir – Halifax Herald
Few can turn a couple of chords into something majestic, Ripper has the gift – Ottawa Citizen
One of Canada’s most respected but underexposed songwriters – Toronto Star
Ripper’s neo-acoustic tales of near death, trains, outlaws, love gone bad, and freedom merge with case study in punk rock ethos and energy – Vancouver Sun
Volleying between punk, folk and rock Ripper jumps all over each style, stealing from one and reshaping another until he comes up with a unique sound and vibe all his own – Now Magazine