Interview With Marc Belke of SNFU
If you're a fan of punk, but aren't familiar with Canadian legends SNFU, then you've been living under a rock. A "punk" rock, as it were. Get it? Not going to lie, i'm listening to FYULABA as we (I) speak (type). SNFU released some of the best, most underrated punk rock albums of the 80's & 90's, and i'm stoked Marc (SNFU guitar player) let me pick his brain.
It's fair to say SNFU are one of Canada's finest exports (music or otherwise). Looking back on your career, how does it feel to have left such a legacy? (or does it even feel like you've left a legacy?)
I'm not sure what our legacy is exactly but its satisfying to leave any legacy at all because for as long Snfu were around we were never widely accepted. Ultimately it became very difficult for me to continue but I did it for so long because I loved it and I believed that Chi-for all his faults-was among the most interesting front man in music. Chi has probably created a deeper legacy because of his ultimate dedication to his art and it’s likely that legacy will continue to grow now that he’s gone. That’s seems to be how it works.? I’m proud what we did together.
"If You Swear, You'll Catch No Fish" is probably my favourite SNFU LP. It's raw, full of attitude and got tunes galore. Have you got a favourite album from your discography?
My favourite is the last album I did with Chi, In The Meantime & In Between Time. It’s the culmination of all our time doing Snfu to that point. It was a lot of work to finish but we got it done on our own.
Outside of SNFU, what has kept you busy?
I have a son that Im dedicated to raising. I still play some music, finishing off an EP of unreleased Snfu songs. I have some ukulele songs that wrote for my son that Id like to release and Id also like to finish the Based on a True Story album which is the band I had with Matt Warhurst and Shane before they played for Snfu. I also still try to play rec sports, hockey, golf, soccer.
Punk rock just lost the legend that is Chi Pig. I'm not going to understate his importance in punk rock in general because my words wouldn't come close to doing him justice, but how was it sharing a stage/ van/ life with him?
We grew up together we met as teens made a band and tried to conquer the World. When we met him- he was just the coolest guy. Incredible skater and didn’t give a fuck and that was pre punk rock. So it was very intriguing to me and my twin brother who were fairly suburban middle class types. We spent decades together creating and performing music. It sounds bad but he didn’t really have respect for anything. He could be very difficult and Im a poor communicator so our relationship became pretty toxic. I feel sad that I couldn’t have been a better friend to him at the end but I just wasn’t. I admire him as an artist most of all.
"In The Meantime and in Between Time" is getting the reissue treatment on vinyl. Can we expect more of the back catalogue to get re-done?
It's pretty much all been reissued except the BYO albums.
Whether it be authors, artists or musicians, who are your biggest influences?
I think the Canadian bands we grew up admiring were the most influential because they were people that were amongst us creating amazing music it gave you theatre sense that you could as well- DOA, Subhumans, Personality Crisis, Riot .303, No Means No, Stretch Marks.
If there was one song you didn't write, but wish you did, what song would it be?
Great question. I do get obsessed with certain songs. Cinnamon Girl by Neil Young is so timeless and earnest that it amazes me but this week I have Coaches Corner by Propaghandi on replay so…
Assuming COVID let's us get back to some normal semblance of life, what have you got coming up in the near future?
I'd like to play more music. When I was doing it more I sort of did it full on so its difficult to just dabble. I just want to be more thankful and have more fun.
Any last words?
No. Thank you for reaching out to me. Im very proud of what I created as part of Snfu and Im always open to talk about it.