Eugene Ripper, the trailblazing fast folk rocker and Canadian punk pioneer, delivers us a raucous bang of dirty guitars and stomping boots as he releases his latest digital single, “Battle of the Punks and Pushers.” This electrifying release coincides with his upcoming CA/EU/UK tour, which kicks off in Toronto in September 2023. Check it out on YouTube here: www.youtube.com/eugeneripper
Ripper, a seasoned veteran and undeniable talent of the Canadian punk scene, cut his rock and roll teeth as a founding guitarist in the first-wave Canadian surf punkabilly rockers Stark Naked & The Fleshtones. Ripper’s musical journey has been nothing short of remarkable. After his time with the Fleshtones, he embarked on a solo career that has spanned decades, characterized by a unique synthesis of punk, folk, roots, and rock. This mixing bowl of tonal expressions allowed Ripper to forge his own path to dirty musical heaven.
His raw and understated music spans a broad spectrum, from the barbed fast ‘n’ furious acoustic punk folk to rock n’ roll, sonic atmospherics, lyrical dark ballads, and beat-driven spoken word. Ripper has consistently pushed boundaries, wrapping it all up in a post-modern stance and punk rock ethos that has earned him a dedicated fan base worldwide.
Listen on Spotify here: open.spotify.com/track/1JDpJGXPChbbwdUNlQJHfq?si=19e7fd56758d4d33
Ripper’s latest offering, “Battle of the Punks and Pushers,” is a companion to his previously released “Folk Song 3000,” which arrived earlier in the summer. This new single is more than just a song; it’s a sonic journey through the gritty streets of urban life. All thanks to a stalk offering of magical words, handed to us in Ripper’s style of dirty delivery.
‘I climb so high
I climb so high
I climb so high
There’s only one way I’m coming down.’
“Battle of the Punks and Pushers” is a stylistic mashup that showcases Ripper’s versatile musical talents and thought process. Produced with sonic strokes of fuzzy-grungy blues-infused punk folk rock, the track is supercharged with a stomping beat, looping harmonica, and bouncing percussion, all surrounding Ripper’s signature acoustic guitar, edgy vocals and gritty lyrical stance.
The inspiration for this song came from the writings of American journalist Gay Talese, whose musings about late 20th-century urban life in New York City, particularly the construction of the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge, became the kernel of inspiration for Ripper. Speaking about the story behind the song, Ripper commented:
“I’ve always been a fan of Talese’s non-fiction work and particularly his detailed observations concerning daily life in a massive metropolis like New York City. So, of course, his story about the building of The Verrazano-Narrows Bridge in the early ’60s captured my imagination: The enormity of the challenge, the sheer volume of material, the courage of the workers, and the dangers and the risks they endured – to get the job done…to make a living. Once I got into it – it was the idea of the humanity inside the machine that intrigued me the most.”
Catch Eugene Ripper’s electrifying new single, “Battle of the Punks and Pushers,” as he takes you on a musical journey through the urban jungle. Get ready to be captivated by the raw energy and storytelling prowess of this punk folk legend.
“Battle of the Punks and Pushers” is available now on all major digital music platforms. For fans looking for an extra special treat, the track can also be found as a bonus on the limited edition “Folk Song 3000″ 7” vinyl, exclusively available at Ripper’s upcoming tour dates.
Eugene Ripper Tour Dates:
Sept 30 – Edmonton – Black Dog (afternoon)
Sept 30 – Edmonton – Blakbar (evening)
Oct 13 – Montreal – Bar Fly
Oct 14 – Knowlton Que – Thirsty Boot
Oct 21 – Mahone Bay NS – Betty’s
Oct 26 – Halifax NS – Gus’ Pub
Oct 28 – Edinburgh UK – Voodoo Rooms
Oct 31 – Burghausen DE – Mathida
Nov 01 – Salzburg AT – Whisky Museum
Nov 03 – Lyon FR – Kraspek Myzik
Nov 04 – Freiburg DE – Rock Club Eimer
Nov 08 – Nuremberg DE – KV
Nov 09 – Munich DE – Kooks
Nov 10 – Berlin DE KollectivBar
Nov 11 – Karschule DE- Scruffy’s
Nov 14 – Glasgow UK – Bloc
Nov 15 – Inverness UK – Market Bar
Nov 16 – Inverness UK- Market Bar
Nov 18 – York UK – 45 Cafe
Nov 19 – Hull UK – Adelphi
Nov 21 – Edinburgh secret show – announcing Oct 28
Nov 23 – Leeds UK – The Grove
Nov 24 – Darwen UK – Number 35 LIVE
Nov 25 – Warmington UK- The Cheshire
Nov 30 – Vancouver BC – Fox Cabaret