Republic of Safety is a new hardcore band! They kick ass while others try to flex the dreary of the leisure class. Hella reverbed guitar (your own Jonny Dovercourt) and boo-ya joint bassists (Kat Gligorijevic-Collins and Kate McGee) hold your arms behind your back while Evan Davies (drums) and Maggie MacDonald (agit prop) take turns punching you in the butt. And that's not all - three out of five can't shut up about anything you can think to ask them.

I noticed your lyrics are simple enough that they're utilitarian. Jonny: Indeed, we reject the smug exclusivity of obscure references, inside jokes and convoluted pseudo-philosophies in order to communicate more directly with the people. Maggie's lyrics are simple and elegant, and I feel immense pride in putting together music that is a mere carrier-pigeon for their message. Maggie: Anything that can be said can be said simply! For the past two years, my goal as a lyricist has been to condense at least 40 pages of my diary into each song. I have an expansive archive of my writings from the last 10 years, probably in the neighborhood of 10,000 pages. I realized that if I died instantly, my 10,000 pages would probably be put in my parents' shed, or maybe my folks would read them on the toilet for larfs. This is why I am now putting all of my theories and stories into songs, so they will be available for consumption in the simplest, most useful format. When I was in The Barcelona Pavilion, I converted 450 pages of diary into the 1:30 minute song, "I'm Your Dog" (2002). With the RoS, I have converted my entire undergraduate thesis into "I Like to Work" (2004). Kat: I don't write lyrics, but I appreciate a pragmatic approach to just about anything, except romance.

Also, they get at Canadian Nationalism. Jonny: The Endless War on Terror has made Canada suddenly seem like a much more appealing place to live, yet many of our fellow Canadians are too smug about this fact, and this is frankly dangerous. We must be prepared to defend the Republic at all costs. Kat: Again, I don't write the lyrics, but I support this theme. Of the three continents I've lived on, I believe the continent of CANADA is by far the best. Maggie: Nationalism is dangerous, but this is a moment in history when it is extremely important for us to define an agenda that is distinct from the American way of doing things. When Mulroney and Reagan sang "When Irish Eyes Are Smiling," my hometown wept as we watched Free Trade sweep away most of our industries. Our politicians are horny for tax cuts, and the spectre of Reagan's Star Wars program is haunting the House of Commons. We are not the U.S.A. yet, but it will soon be difficult to tell the difference. I think we should welcome American people into Canada, but American politics do not belong here.

And randy sexual themes. Maggie: The lust for a better world is important. Without lust, where is the lust for a better world? Kat: I feel randy 24 hours a day. I hear impending marriage will do that to a girl. Jonny: War does seem to increase fertility rates.

Sonically, there seems to be an attack aesthetic. Are you out to create a siege-like atmosphere? Maggie: Yes! Kat: I believe a siege-like atmosphere helps sharpen the senses and prepare one for the possibility of battle. It's all right to fight. Jonny: The reality is that we are under siege, our lifestyle and notions of human community, gender equality and social welfare are under attack, and the music is merely a response. And we only attack the audience inasmuch as we want them to move, both with us, and to us.

Did I miss anything? Kat: Everything but the lyrics! Lyric-centrist! Maggie: The Republic of Safety has a 100% acceptance rate for refugees, migrants, visitors and email. No one is illegal. No one is a foreigner. Jonny: We would like to welcome new drummer Evan Davies to the Republic. Our six-song EP Confidence, recorded with original beatkeeper Dennis Amos, will be released in January. Watch for our new website designed by Kevin Parnell. Immigration to the Republic of Safety is open to all.

BY MATT FUCKING COLLINS