Vegetarianism Is Only Crime

09/04/08 2:02pm

by Shawn Despres (CHARTattack)

Only Crime are a "supergroup" of sorts comprised of ex-members of Good Riddance, Bane and Black Flag. Their impressive punk rock pedigree should provide more than enough of a reason to give them a listen. But for those fickle music fans who need more convincing, the act also include two "World's Sexiest Vegetarians" male nominees.

Vocalist Russ Rankin and guitarist Aaron Dalbec were included in PETA 2's recent poll of good-looking folks who don't eat meat. This was the second consecutive year that both appeared on the ballot. AFI's Davey Havok won in 2007 and My Chemical Romance guitarist Frank Iero took the title this year, but it's an honour just to be nominated, right? Some other members of the quintet may make next spring’s short list and up the odds of an Only Crime victory.

"It's funny and a pretty cool way for PETA to get people interested in animal rights," explains Rankin. "Aaron and I are both vegans, our bassist Dan Kelly is a vegetarian, [guitarist] Matt Hoffman is experimenting with vegetarianism, and [drummer] Bill Stevenson eats everything, but is happy to roll vegan when we tour and hang out."

You can check out just how sexy the gents are for yourself this week at any of the group’s Canadian dates with Lagwagon, MXPX and TAT. Expect to hear selections from 2004's To The Nines, last year's Virulence and maybe a new cut or two as well.

The act began crafting material for their third full-length earlier this year, but haven't been able to co-ordinate a time when everyone could return to the studio again. Rankin is hopeful that their schedules will mesh after wrapping up their North American tour.

"We got a good start on the new album in February, but have been too busy to get any more work done on it as of yet. Only Crime's members live in four different states, and we all have other jobs and activities that we do. Band practices for us can be pretty difficult to arrange and pay for sometimes."

While still too early to comment on what musical direction Only Crime's next recording will take, ideally Rankin would like to diversify their sound while still retaining their hard-edged, energetic pace.

"I think it will expand on the more experimental shades of Virulence. It will be more Ornette Coleman and less 'Six Pack.'"

Only Crime are old hands at the punk rock game and choose to operate at their own pace, and they're happy to be past the point of trying to impress people.

Rankin is a hockey scout for the Western Hockey League's Kootenay Ice and Stevenson produces discs for the likes of Rise Against. They try to avoid any unnecessary drama and focus on making the most of the limited opportunities they have to be together.

"I like not having to have MySpace hair or wear girls' jeans," Rankin answers when asked about the pros of being in Only Crime.

"We are so old and completely over the entire music industry that we have given ourselves permission to play music that challenges and excites us. I also like that we have all been able to learn from our collective experience in our various other bands so that we can endeavour with Only Crime while sidestepping a lot of the interpersonal land mines that can plague a band."

Here are Only Crime’s Canadian tour dates with Lagwagon, MXPX and TAT:

Sept. 5 Toronto, ON @ Phoenix Concert Theatre
Sept. 6 Montreal, QC @ Metropolis
Sept. 7 Quebec City, QC @ L'Imperial De Quebec
Sept. 8 Rimouski, QC @ Le Pavillon Agricole
Sept. 10 Halifax, NS @ The Marquee Club
Sept. 11 Saint John, NB @ The Basement