Fugazi, Yeastie Girlz, zine reviews and punk ‘asshole’ minimalization

“Fugazi Saved My Life: How Punk Made Me Less of an Asshole” is the latest zine from Microcosm Publishing, exploring the transformative impact of punk music. The issue focuses on a 1993 Fugazi gig, while its predecessor celebrates Yeastie Girlz, a punk band challenging societal norms. Both zines convey punk’s role in personal growth and social awareness.

Woodstein Media Podcast season 3 launches with acclaimed poet John Barton discussing Compulsory Figures

Season three of the Woodstein Media Podcast starts with poet John Barton discussing his new free verse collection, Compulsory Figures. He explores themes of family, patriarchy, and contemporary queer issues, reflecting on his experiences as a gay man during the AIDS pandemic. The book is published by Caitlin Press.

Woodstein Media Podcast chat with Stevie Bees about Trans activism, support, and the David Tennant boost

Stevie Bees chats about the boost David Tennant gave to their trans-positive T-shirt brand which has enabled Stevie to infuse more positive energy into the gender-diverse community we live in through activism, bursaries, and public speaking.

Woodstein Media Podcast Season Two kicks off with a conversation with Perth-Wellington Liberal candidate, Ashley Fox

The first episode features a conversation with Ashley Fox, the Liberal Party candidate for Perth-Wellington. In this conversation, we discuss why a focus on health care is essential for the overall well-being of the province, transportation in rural communities, how the decline in the relation with the United States will affect Canadians at all levels of government, municipal, provincial and federal, how hard reduction should be approached in Ontario and the importance of not only listening to but hearing and acting on concerns raised by students, parents, and educators in the education system.  

Destroy Boys: From Sacramento to Hollywood…Theatre in Vancouver, B.C.

Tyler Smith snagged a chance to chat with a couple of Destroy Boys members about the Sacramento music scene, psychedelics, bootlegging, and washrooms for the Punks on Pizza Podcast before they blessed the audience of the Hollywood Theatre in Vancouver with their badass sounds.

Woodstein Media Podcast Episode 30: Ruth Fox discusses the loss of her son to drug poisoning, Moms Stop the Harm, and failures of Canada’s drug policy

On this episode, Ruth Fox, Regional Director for Moms Stop the Harm, spoke to me about her experience losing her son, Trevor, who died from accidental drug poisoning in his home.
Trevor was 25 years old and had a full and promising life ahead of him in his community. He was a valued employee in a career he enjoyed and was adored by a supportive family and numerous friends.
Ruth became aware of Moms Stop the Harm shortly after Trevor’s death and has found the community of understanding, compassion and support the organization offers invaluable. Through the work the group does, she learned more about the harms caused by Canada’s failed drug policies and the way people who use drugs are treated.

Finally slamming the Doors on 2023 with MVLL CRIMES, Fight on Sight, Lowheaven, Monk, Single Mothers

Revisiting a hot December night in a boggy Hamilton sweatbox with MVLL CRIMES, Fight on Sight, Lowheaven, Monk, and Single Mothers that capped off the action for Wood-stein.ca in 2023. It’s time to crawl out of the mire and prepare for a productive 2024.

Woodstein Media Podcast Episode 14: Garth Mullins talks overdose crisis, safe drug supply, defunding the police, starting drug activist groups, and more

On episode 14, Garth Mullins, host of the award-winning Crackdown podcast, drew on his experience as a drug user and activist to discuss harm reduction and the overdose crisis, the challenge of distributing a safe unadulterated drug supply, defunding the police, the positives and negatives of British Columbia’s decriminalization pilot, starting a grassroots drug user activist group, and his new band Low Dead Space.

Woodstein Media Podcast Episode 11: Dunstan Bruce contemplates aging & purpose via Interrobang, Am I Invisible Yet? and Chumbawamba film

On episode 11, ex-Chumbawamba member Dunstan Bruce speaks about the contemplation of his place in this world through his contemporary art, whether it’s singing with his new band Interrobang‽, treading theatre stages in his one-person show, Am I Invisible Yet? or scrutinizing his place in the Chumbawamba legacy in the film, I Get Knocked Down. (All images copyright Dunstan Bruce)

Episode Eight: North Perth CoC Chair talks social media post promoting People’s Party event

On January 31, North Perth Chamber of Commerce Chair Sharon D’Arcy shared a Facebook post on the Chamber page promoting a People’s Party of Canada event, which upset some member businesses and organizations. The PPC and its leader Maxime Bernier have a reputation for being racist, misogynist, and homophobic.

The post was removed on February 2. However, before its removal, D’Arcy sat down with Woodstein Media to discuss the post, the PPC and more.