Interview: Montreal hardcore vets No Policy on playing their first show in over 30 years at ’77 Montreal

No Policy was one of Montreal’s most vital hardcore punk bands in the 80’s, playing constantly in now-defunct venues like Rising Sun and Le Cargo and supporting many of the best touring bands of the era. They released a cherished and much-bootlegged demo before disbanding, leaving behind a legacy as one of the most forward-thinking and unique bands in Montreal punk history.

Over three decades after their last show, No Policy is reforming to play at ’77 Montreal, a day-long outdoor event celebrating 40 years of punk rock history, with performances from Rise Against, AFI, Suicidal Tendencies, DOA, L7, Steve Ignorant with Paranoid Visions, and many more. We caught up with guitarist Rebecca Sevrin to discuss how the reunion came together, what it feels like to be gearing up for the band’s first show in three decades, her job designing stage costumes for bands like KISS, and much more.

’77 Montreal takes place at Parc Jean-Drapeau on Friday, July 27th. Admission is free for children under 10. Find tickets and the complete lineup here.

Bad Feeling Mag: This will be No Policy’s first show in over 30 years — how did this reunion come about?

Rebecca Sevrin: I was at ’77 Montreal to see Genetic Control. While I was trolling backstage Dan [Webster, ’77 promoter] approached me. I was very excited to be asked because I was dying to play with No Policy again.

Did you ever expect the band to play again?

No. I would watch Bands Reunited on MTV and imagine what I would do if I had one more chance to rock. I was living in Los Angeles and Ron was in Vancouver. I was sewing costumes for entertainers and felt a huge part of my life was missing. I missed playing fast, I missed having a bond with Mike, Denis, and Ron. I had a hole in my life. I always loved hardcore and hated it wasn’t in my world.

What goes through your mind when you think about playing those songs again?

I think about my life in the 80’s. Back then, I had my whole life to look forward to. It was all new, I was green and the world looked exciting. Now I am more cynical. Been through the ringer and I am back at square one, printing t-shirts at my parents house, taking the bus to Montreal. JUST LIKE Nothing’s changed, but I have a lifetime of experience crammed between 1983 and 2018. Actually, it feels I am living in a Bizarro comic. It’s a head trip.

Are there any specific No Policy shows that stand out in your mind?

I liked playing with the UK Subhumans. They liked our band and distributed our cassette in England. I think I was waiting for someone else besides me to believe in us. I thought we were a great band but needed a break. I couldn’t figure out the next step alone.

What were your favourite bands to play with in the 80’s?

I loved all the local bands — Vomit and the Zits, Fair Warning, Scum, Genetic Control, The Absurds, Unruled. I know I am missing a few. We had a good scene, we helped each other. I never felt that sense of camaraderie anywhere else.

Of course I loved the big touring bands, DOA, Toxic Reasons, Sudden Impact. Anyone from California.

Listening to the demo now, it straddles punk, hardcore and thrash pretty seamlessly – was that intentional?

We all had different tastes in hardcore/punk. I liked Black Flag, Minor Threat and Bad Brains. Denis liked hardcore, The Stranglers, Oi, as well as Bauhaus. Ron liked everything from classic rock to hardcore, old style punk. Mike liked all things aggressive.

Was there a lot of crossover in those scenes at the time?

I liked that we didn’t play all our songs the same tempo. We messed around with whatever got stuck in our head. We covered “Oh Canada,” “My Sharona,” had a heavy metal sounding song and a song with two notes. I felt we had a sense of humour in our choices of music. I didn’t pay attention to the other bands’ style choices, I had a vision.

What were the band’s favourite local venues back then?

I loved the Cargo. Rising Sun happened as the band was waning. I also liked Station 10 because I was going there with my big sister when I was 16. So it was a big deal for me to play there. Even if it wasn’t hip anymore.

The band had a definite political outlook during its time, with songs like “Merchants of Death” and “News or Propaganda” — if No Policy was starting up today, do you think the same issues still be on your minds?

Ron wrote all the lyrics. He was the icing on the cake, he’d read the paper and write brilliant lyrics. He read sci-fi and wrote about alternate universes and realities. I am sure the current lyrics would not have Reagan mentioned and they would be tailored to today’s topics. Yes, they would still be thought-provoking because that’s the way Ron rolled.

(Ron adds: “More so now, the rise of populism in many countries, fake news, greater disenfranchisement, the world is worse off now than it was back in the day.”)

Are there any plans to officially reissue the No Policy material? Those original demo tapes aren’t easy (or cheap!) to come by.

We have been thinking about it. I have the ultimate live show on tape. Live at Larry’s Hideaway. That show captured the guitar tone way better than the demos. I thought they sounded very brittle. We are talking about it.

You’re well-known for your clothing design work for some pretty big names, including the almighty KISS — have you ever played No Policy for Gene + Paul?

Actually, Gene and I discussed music, comic books, and pop culture. He said [Sevrin’s former band] Frightwig was a great name for a band. Dead Kennedys, stupid name. I will see him at the end of next week. I’ll tell him I am playing at ’77 Montreal and invite him. We have opposite taste in music.

In fact, every band I worked for knew I played guitar, I’d always ask for guitar picks for my collection. The thing was, I so busy sewing that I didn’t have time to play in a band.

What do you think the future holds for No Policy? Any plans after ’77 Montreal?

I am not sure what’s in the cards for No Policy. I am just going to enjoy this and then see what happens. I can’t think of anything more exciting than playing a festival in the city that inspired me to play guitar. I have played at CBGB, The Whiskey, The Fillmore, all over the US and Canada, but to be playing in Montreal at a show of this caliber with No Policy is the most exciting things to ever happen to me.

No Policy perform at ’77 Montreal at Parc Jean-Drapeau on Friday, July 27th, alongside Rise Against, AFI, Suicidal Tendencies, L7, DOA, Steve Ignorant with Paranoid Visions, and many more. Admission is free for children under 10. Find tickets and the complete lineup here.