The divide between hardcore punk bands and acoustic-cradling country crooners is growing narrower nowadays. Avail’s Tim Barry, Hot Water Music’s Chuck Ragan and even Social Distortion’s Mike Ness have all added a little Highwaymen outlaw vibe to their solo records of late.
Yesterday’s Ring, comprised of a handful of members from Montreal’s hardcore heroes the Sainte Catherines, proves even Canadians aren’t immune to power of the twang and a good drinking song.
Lead by singer Hugo Mudie, the band has just released their third full-length (and first for Suburban Home Records) Diamonds in the Ditch.
Innocent Words: How's the current tour going?
Mudie: We just finished the Poutine & Cigarettes 3 tour, which wasn’t really a tour this time ‘cause it was only weekends. It was a lot of fun. There were a lot of people at most shows, and we were touring with our buddy Colin Moore, and it was a blast to see him play every night. We finished everything in Montreal, and it was great, as always.
IW: Prior to this band, you were known more for a harder punk rock sound. What made you decide to play alternative country?
Mudie: We still play in our punk band the Sainte Catherines. We started to enjoy listening to softer music while on the road with the Sainte Catherines. Our old drummer really liked country, and he kind of turned us onto it. It was perfect for driving through the south of the states
IW: So you haven’t always had country music influences?
Mudie: No. I think it started around the year 2000 while on tour with the Sainte Catherines. But growing up, my Mom was a big fan of Kenny Rogers and John Denver, and my Dad was a into Springsteen and Dylan ... I guess I got it from them also.
IW: When did you first start Yesterday’s Ring?
Mudie: In 2000, in Memphis, Tenn., on the front porch of a dude from the band Pezz.
IW: Along with you and Fred Jacques, who else is in Yesterday’s Ring?
Mudie: Ryan Battistuzzi, who is also in Death Boat and plays with Colin Moore; Balloo (Matthieu Guilbeault) who was in Fifth Hour Hero and Mi Amore and now also plays bass with Colin Moore; Rich (Bouthillier) who is the drummer of the Sainte Catherinesn (he was also in Selfmademan and now plays drums with Colin Moore); Louis Valiquette who is also in the Sainte Catherines; and now we play with this girl called Cheake who is in a fucking awesome band from here called Vulgaires Machins.
IW: Do you approach writing songs for Yesterday’s Ring any differently than the way you write and record Sainte Catherines’ records?
Mudie: Yes, definitely. The Sainte Catherines is more of a collaborative effort. Yesterday's Ring is a band, but it’s written more in the songwriter tradition, where someone from the band comes up with a song, and we work around it.
IW: There are actually a lot of punk rockers who have started writing more country and folk-influenced records (Tim Barry, Chuck Reagan, Frank Turner, etc.). What is so appealing about this type of music that it attracts so many former punks?
Mudie: It's simple and heartfelt like punk rock, but it’s not so fucking loud.
IW: Do you have a preference to playing the music in Yesterday’s Ring over the Sainte Catherines? Or do you enjoy playing both styles?
Mudie: I enjoy both, but after playing awhile with the Sainte Catherines, I feel like playing slower songs with Yesterday's Ring and vice versa.
IW: Are the audiences any different, or do the same punks who came to see you with the Sainte Catherines come to see you now?
Mudie: There are more girls at Yesterday's Ring shows and more NOFX fans at Sainte Catherines shows.
IW: Do you still plan on writing and recording more albums with the Sainte Catherines?
Mudie: We just started writing a new record for the Sainte Catherines. We are really excited about it. I think it’s going to be a lot catchier and rock than previous records.
IW: Do you plan to tour through the summer?
Mudie: We are going to play some outdoor festivals and some fun shows, and then we are going to Europe with Sainte Catherines in September. We should be touring the U.S. with Yesterday's Ring sometime soon.