Greg Rekus could be called a lot of things. Punk. Folk. Vegan. But “lazy” is not one of them.
The Winnipeg-based punk/folk artist is currently making his way across Canada and the United States, and toward his goal of performing 150 shows in 2014. His current tour should take him close.
“This tour itself is about 40 or 45 (performances),” Rekus said. “For the entire year we’ll be doing almost 150 shows.”
The tour will take him through Bremerton on Oct. 10 for a performance at The Charleston.
The tour is much like the underground scene Rekus is accustomed. He hails from a DIY, punk background, and is also a member of the punk band High Five Drive. His solo work melds punk roots with folk sensibilities.
“It’s got punk rock from the ’90s, but at the same time I’m stomping on a big wooden board with tambourines that gives it a folksy vibe,” Rekus said.
“There’s a lot in common between folk and punk. A lot of it is about rebellion and standing up for the greater good and that is reflected my music. It’s also about having a good time.
“I feel like I’m somewhere in between (punk) and folk,” he said. “My heart is really in the punk scene.”
Rekus’ music is stripped down to the core — just himself, a guitar, tambourines, and sometimes a kazoo. But while the presentation bears only the essentials, none of Rekus’ energy is lost. Audiences should not expect a passive show, Rekus said.
“They better be ready to sing and dance around and have a good time,” he said. “If you want to sit at a table and watch, that’s fine, but that’s not the whole experience. You got to get your hands dirty.”
It will be Bremerton’s first opportunity to have such an experience with Rekus.
“We’ve been through Washington at least four times, but this is the first time I’ve been to Bremerton,” Rekus said.
The current tour began in Winnipeg and leads as far south as Gainesville, Florida, for The Fest, an underground music festival in late October with 365 bands and artists across 12 venues.
“The tour is sort of based on that,” Rekus said. “It’s an amazing festival with veterans of the scene and developing artists.”
Traveling in a 2000 Toyota Sienna — dubbed “Jenna the Sienna” — Rekus will take his “punkoustic” sound down the West Coast, through the south to Florida, then up the East Coast and back to Canada.
“We fold down the seats and blow up a mattress and all of a sudden she’s an RV,” he said of his faithful ride.
Rekus is joined on his journey by Lyndsay Penner, who has toured with him in the past. Penner partially chronicles the tours on her blog, www.lphoopla.com. The blog covers everything from the pair’s vegan lifestyle to interviews with the various bands and musicians they cross paths with on the road.
“There’s nothing we like more than driving around, meeting new people and drinking a few beers,” Rekus said.
Greg Rekus at the Charleston
What: Greg Rekus performs acoustic punk rock.
When: Oct. 10, 8 p.m.
Where: The Charleston, 333 N. Callow Ave., Bremerton.
Cost: $5 admission
Info: gregrekus.com, lphoopla.com
