Get to Know Your Music Community

We are an open, community-owned platform, a living archive of the arts in Victoria BC and we're here to help artists and arts organizations reach their audiences and each other.

Photo by Darren Ho
Featured Resource

Darren Ho Media

The Real McKenzies

Celtic Punk from Vancouver BC

About

The Real McKenzies

since circa 1992
THE REAL McKENZIES are not just a band. They are an unstoppable touring machine. A road-hardened crew of traveling minstrels, entertainers and vagabonds on a never-ending quest for good times.

For the past 20 years, this ferocious gang of miscreants has been captivating audiences around the globe with their addictive, uncompromising and undeniably heartfelt music. Featuring a diverse and insanely talented roster of musicians, The Real McKenzies draw on both acoustic and electric instruments to blend a potent concoction of classic punk, rock n' roll, hard folk and traditional Celtic influence. Anthemic guitars and soaring bagpipes play off each other as Paul McKenzie spins yarns of times long past and regales with tales of endless drunken revelries. Blistering punk rock boot stompers stand alongside passionate singalong ballads while good times and joyous camaraderie are all the order of the day.

Fueled by an insatiable need to share the McKenzies’ gospel with the world, the boys are equally at home playing to 20,000 screaming football fans in the heart of Germany as they are to a few hundred punks in the dirtiest, darkest, most disreputable clubs of the Canadian wilderness. After more than two decades, 8 full-length albums, countless compilation appearances and singles, The Real McKenzies have earned a reputation that is second to none. They’ve shared the stage with Rancid, NOFX, Flogging Molly, The Misfits, Pennywise, Shane McGowan and Metallica just to name a few, all the while garnering new friends and fans along the way.

And now they’re baaaack… Westwinds is packed to the brim with roaring, rollicking and epic tales that shanghai the listener on a thirteen song, sea-tossed journey through the wild and wonderful world of The Real McKenzies. Recorded over several months at Crabapple Downs by the phenomenal Steve Loree, Westwinds is a sonic shot of deliciousness delivered straight to your ear holes. From the unapologetic raised middle figure salute of “Fool’s Road” to the hook-laden tongue-in-cheek “My Luck Is So Bad” to one of the most poignant and blood-pumping renditions of “Barrett’s Privateers (Stan Rogers)” that you’ll ever hear, this killer album is set to become an instant classic in the collections of both new and diehard fans alike. Much like a fine single malt scotch, The Real McKenzies only get better with age .

For fans of: The Dropkick Murphys, Flogging Molly, Gogol Bordello, The Pogues.

What the press is sayin’

“The Real McKenzies are the rare outfit that improves with every album.” – Punknews

“…they've never strayed far from their unique blend of Scottish folk and Spirit of '77 punk rock. Much like Boston's Dropkick Murphys, there is ample bagpipe to be heard on any of The Real McKenzies' releases, which lends well to the band's ear for melody.” – Absolutepunk

“They’ve been busting out solid Celtic punk rock for over a decade, yet you’ll still find kids on the internet calling them out for ripping off bands like Dropkick Murphys and Flogging Molly, both of whom came out of the gates a few years after the McKenzies released their first album in 1996 and were doubtlessly influenced by the band’s sound and look.” – Exclaim Magazine

“With just as many guitar licks as there are bagpipe melodies, The Real McKenzies have written thirteen songs that would get any punk crowd moving in a pit and make any old Scot raise a pint and smile.” – The Punksite
Available for Shows/Gigs

Audio Samples

Community Events

Current Lineup

Paul McKenzie
Lead Vox
1992 - present
The Bone
Guitar/Vox
1995 - present
Matt MacNasty
Bagpipes
2001 - present
Sean Sellers
Drums
2005 - present
Dave Gregg
Guitar
2005 - present
Karl Alvarez
Bass
2006 - present
Gord Taylor
Bagpipes
2009 - present

Past Members

Brad Attitude
Drums
? - 2006
Jamie Jak
Bass
1998 - 2005
Glen Kruger
Drums
2000
Eddie Big Beers
Drums
2003
Reece Toye
guitar
2004 - 2005
Joe Raposo
Bass
2005 - 2006
Rich Priske
Bass
2006
Shane Smith
Drums
2006

Band Articles

Paul McKenzie Interview Part 2
Paul McKenzie Interview Part 2 CJ: The band formed in 1992. How was starting a punk project in the high-age of grunge music? Paul: I could bend your ear for an hour with a question like that. We knew some bands in Seattle that would set...
Author: CJ Leon
Published by: The Skinny Magazine

Search the Directory / Archive

List an Event in the Calendar

List a Physical Single Date or Recurring Event

For physical events that happen at a specific time. For example a concert, or dance performance. If there are multiple shows, you can still duplicate your event to cover them all.

List an Online Livestream Event

For online / livestream events. This will allow you to include a livestream url and have it featured in our livestream listings.

Submit a Profile to the Directory

List a Music Band / Ensemble

(Band / Choir / Orchestra etc.)

List an Individual Musician

(Guitarist, Singer, DJ etc)

List a Music Resource

Venues, Event Promoters, Support Services etc.

News + Media

Add / Link a Video

Add a video, which will be linked to profiles, and appear in the video feed

Add / Link an Article

Add, or link to an article about content in the directory.

Log In to Your Account