Regina punk rocker remembers early days of the Sask. scene

People around the world are celebrating the 40th anniversary of punk rock and although Regina wasn't on the forefront of the scene, there were local punk bands touring Saskatchewan in the late 70s.

One of the bands that was a big part of the province's punk landscape back then was The Extroverts, which started up in 1979.

Early influences

"Brent Caron is our lyricist and he had an idea based on what he had been reading in magazines from New York City and London as early as 1977," said Les Holmlund, guitarist for the band.

At the time, Holmlund was in his early 20s and just getting into punk music. He saw a notice Caron posted at the University of Regina looking for musicians.

After a couple of member changes, two 17-year-olds joined the band and the four musicians went on to play for nearly three years together as The Extroverts at the height of the scene.

While UK punk bands focused on politics and socioeconomic conditions, Holmlund says in Regina it was more about a musical revolution.  "We were really inspired by the energy, creativity and do-it-yourself vibe of punk music."

Holmlund says out of his group's 50 songs, a handful were about politics but most were about everyday life. Some of the song titles include Cuban rebel girls, (My home town is a) Nuclear meltdown and Government girls. 

A rocky reception

Holmlund says there weren't a lot of bars in Regina that were a good fit for punk concerts, but eventually they found a banquet hall behind the Schnitzel Haus restaurant and put on some gigs there. 

They had a good fan base in Regina and Saskatoon, but Holmlund said at one point they hired a booking agent who got them gigs elsewhere.

"Occasionally we hit in the small towns — often it was a miss," said Holmlund.  

Holmlund recalls playing some high school dances in Elrose, Sintaluta and Stoughton that did not go well. He said the crowd booed, threw things at them and yelled that the band should play music by Led Zepplin and Boston.

"In Elrose, they sabotaged our vehicles while we were in there," said Holmlund but he added in most towns there was almost always a young fan who would give them a heads up if someone messed with their cars.

The Extroverts today

The Extroverts got back together in 2009 and still put on concerts.

This summer the band will be playing at MOSOfest in Saskatoon and a punk musical festival in Milwaukee. The band is also currently recording an album with songs its members wrote nearly 40 years ago.

Holmlund notes that although punk rock felt like a trend when it started, it is still alive, and for those punk super fans, you can even hit the rocky waters on a punk cruise.