Skip to main content

Maverick Ad

Home

Main navigation

  • Home
  • Cover Stories
  • Features
  • News
  • Reviews
  • Cashbox Legacy Awards
  • Past Covers
  • Weekly Archive
Calgary Rockers Redhead Mack Band Address Canada’s Past Injustices with Reflective Single "Oppression"

Breadcrumb

  • Home
  • Calgary Rockers Redhead Mack Band Address Canada’s Past Injustices with Reflective Single "Oppression"
Redhead Mack Band

Photo Credit Abe Wiebe

Fri Nov 01, 2024
Cashbox Canada

There's a classic adage that says those who forget the past are condemned to repeat it. And in a world where past injustices and inequalities continue to be uncovered while current injustices remain, that statement unfortunately still rings true. For the Calgary, Alberta rock group Redhead Mack Band, educating youth about rather recent scandals such as Canada's residential schools and the tragic price paid by Indigenous children is a difficult challenge. But fortunately, they've taken a great step towards creating awareness of universal injustices with the single "Oppression" from their latest album You Know That You Want To.

"Teaching children the history of wars, slavery, genocide, etc. is all impactful, but usually refers to events that feel long ago or far away," lead singer and guitarist Kevin Phillips, who works as a schoolteacher during the day, says of the inspiration for "Oppression." "Explaining to elementary kids that residential schools happened here in Canada and were still a thing when their parents were kids was interesting. The song doesn't refer to specific events in history, but states that, along with trying to not be divided and work together, we need to stop treating anybody as 'other.'"

"Oppression," brought to Redhead Mack Band by Phillips during a practice, was fleshed out by the rest of the group consisting of lead guitarist Lee Carlson, bassist and backing vocalist Jared Wiebe and drummer Ian Fraser Love. The result is a tender, Southern rock-tinged piece of perfection, which the band says emerges as "a bit more serious and laid back" than the rest of the material on You Know That You Want To. If you were to think of groups like Drive By-Truckers, Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, or Band of Horses at their tender roots rock best, you'd recognize just how strong a single "Oppression" is.

Listen on Spotify here: open.spotify.com/album/6rr8EnbnCRswi6sRjKNH3j

One subtle but interesting turn of phrase in "Oppression" is a reference to the late soul singer Solomon Burke and his rendition of the song "None Of Us Are Free." The song, perhaps first recognized when Ray Charles recorded it, appeared on Burke's 2002 album Don't Give Up On Me. "None Of Us Are Free" also featured a guest appearance by The Blind Boys of Alabama. While some might consider it a throwaway line, the lyric shows the depth, care and tact Redhead Mack Band has towards the issue and its music overall.

"Oppression" is the latest single for Redhead Mack Band, a group who returned to action following the global pandemic. Phillips, who performed primarily folk music before joining the group, went electric. And while it might not have had the musical history gravitas compared to when Bob Dylan went electric, it certainly has paid off for Redhead Mack Band. A string of folk-rock EPs and singles emerged as did the band's 2013 album Born On A Time Machine.

Having performed across Western Canada, the Redhead Mack Band have had their music featured in publications such as Canadian Beats, Record World International, and Maximum Volume. "Being in a band isn't just about playing shows -- it's about passion, heart, and a love for the music that drives us every day," the band recently said in an Instagram post. "Each practice, each performance, and every note we hit reminds us why we do what we do. It's the connection, the energy, and the thrill of creating something that moves people. We pour our souls into every song, and it's that love for music that keeps us going, no matter what challenges come our way."

"Oppression," the follow-up single to "Once Again," released earlier in 2024, is a potent song that is both timely and timeless. It's a message for unity and togetherness in a world that's weary from divisiveness.

redheadmack.com/
redheadmackband.bandcamp.com/album/you-know-that-you-want-to
facebook.com/redheadmack/
instagram.com/redhead_mack/

Reviews
Album
Redhead Mack Band
Month: Apr 2022
Indigenous Pop-Rock Trio Low Budget Rock Star Unveil Cozy & Anthemic "Sunglasses” Indigenous Pop-Rock Trio Low Budget Rock Star Unveil Cozy &…
Innr Circle Innr Circle Meshes R&B with Dream Pop in Sultry New Single, “Uncut Gems”
Lorand Kis Toronto-Based Pop Artist Lorand Kis Delivers Sonically Soothing…
Jack West Live Wire of a Rock & Electro-Popster Jack West Laments Long-…
Blaeser Acoustic Rocker Blaeser Embraces the Constant of Change with New “…
Danny Blueberry Folk Artist Danny Blueberry Pays Homage to Dynamite Duo that is…
Dany Horovitz Folk Artist Dany Horovitz Wants to Know if You’re “Free Tonight”…
Dominic Mancuso Jazz-Rock Fusion Artist Dominic Mancuso Reveals “Her Simple Truth…
Dutchman If One Thing’s For Sure, It’s That Four-Piece Rockers Dutchman Are…
Fresh Breath Duo Fresh Breath Stroll Down Memory Lane with Splashy New Single,“…
Joshua Sade James Canadian Pop Artist Joshua Sade James Has “Gone” into Euphoria with…
jsin Canadian Singer/Songwriter jsin Says “I Choose Love” in Uplifting New…
J Morris Ottawa's J Morris Releases Collaboration with IAMSOULFUL…
Gardenhead Photo Credit Jussi Ratilainen Saddle In to Be “Devoured” by Latest Trash Metal Single from…
Kirk Diamond JUNO Award-Winning & 4x Nominee Reggae Powerhouse Kirk Diamond…

Pagination

  • First page « First
  • Previous page ‹ Previous
  • …
  • Page 64
  • Page 65
  • Page 66
  • Page 67
  • Current page 68
  • Page 69
  • Page 70
  • Page 71
  • Page 72
  • …
  • Next page Next ›
  • Last page Last »

CEO/PUBLISHER/EDITOR IN CHIEF
SANDY GRAHAM

email:sandygrahamemg@gmail.com 

Canadian Journalists:

Contributing Journalist - Canada and Global
Don Graham
email: dongrahamwriter@gmail.com

Contributing Journalist - Canada and Global
Lisa Hartt
email: lisahartt87@hotmail.com

Contributing Journalist - Canada 
Michael Williams
email: greydread@gmail.com

 

 

 

 

International Journalists:

Contributing Journalist - Sweden
Malin Osth
email: malin@musicdays.se

Contributing Journalist - Sweden
Jonas Tancred
email: jonas@musicdays.se

Contributing Journalist - USA
Rob Durkee 
email: rockster2746@gmail.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

Web Developer/Technical Support
Chris Wardman

email: info@chriswardman.com
website: chriswardman.com

Cashbox Cover Design and Graphic Artist
Jain McMillan

email: jainmcmillan@gmail.com

Contributing Photographer 
Tracey Savein - South Paw Productions
southpawproductions@rogers.com

 

 

 

Footer menu

  • Home
  • Features
  • News
  • Reviews
  • Cashbox Archive
  • Issue Archive
  • Past Covers