Truck Violence on Montréal Hardcore and Mile-End Cowboys 

By Dani Rhodes and Victoria McGrath 

Photo by Michelle Andrews (insta: @mitch.lense)

Interview conducted on November 22, 2024 

In the world of Truck violence, chaos reigns supreme, and violence isn’t just the answer—it’s a lifestyle. Hailing from the Canadian Midwest and quickly becoming a cornerstone of the Montréal hardcore scene, Truck violence is an unapologetic ode to country living in the big city. Made up of Karsyn Henderson (vocals), Paul Lecours (guitar), Thomas Hart (percussion) & Chris Clegg (bass), their unflinchingly brutal live shows are notoriously unforgettable. Their debut album, Violence, is a self-recorded homage to survival and sabotage – a raw, blistering soundtrack to the trials of rural Albertan life. Now, with a new album in the works, the band is gearing up to push their sound even further. Ahead of their explosive set at the M for Mothland collective show at La Sala Rossa, we caught up with Truck Violence to talk about their roots, their creative process, and the forces that drive their music. Here’s what they had to say. 

Q: What bands inspire you and make you passionate about creating music? A: “I like the band Wednesday. Wednesday is really good.” (Thomas) 

“I like Yautja. Yautja is really cool.” (Paul) 

“Deathhammer and Obliteration. Obliteration is a classic.” (Karsyn) 

“@.” (Chris) 

“These are just fake names.” 

Q: What’s your favorite part of performing live? 

A: “Loading in and out.” (Paul) 

“Somebody told me after the last show that, when I was yelling, I spit in his mouth, and it was really gross… and that’s probably my favorite part.” (Karsyn) 

“When Pooba jumps and wears the worst outfits. This time he’s looking nice, but normally he wears leopard print and booty shorts.” (Karsyn) 

Q: What’s your favorite song to perform live? 

A: “The new one we just wrote.” (Chris) 

“‘Lecture, ‘cause it’s very bouncy. You can move around a lot, and it feels natural when you’re on stage. It’s simple, and there’s a very easy crux to the song.” (Paul) 

Q: What’s the new song called? 

A: “I don’t have a name for it, but I’ll make it up on the spot and stick to it… I’ll call it Dandruff End.” (Karsyn)

Q: What’s the story behind your album cover? 

A: “We went to Vermont, and there was this guy at a gas station who had a bear in the back of his truck. I said, ‘Hey, can I film that?’ and he said, ‘Yup.’ So I filmed it.” (Karsyn) 

Q: Do you know what he did with the bear? 

A: “They probably ate it, or pelted it.” (Karsyn) 

“He was a trapper. His truck was full of dogs—there were 4-5 hunting dogs sticking their heads out the back of the truck.” (Paul) 

“It kind of sucks living here now. Paul and I are from the countryside, and that stuff was everywhere. Now we’re here, trying to put together photos and pictures that remind us of where we were. It’s funny and sad that we have to drive out to Vermont to see the things we used to live around every day.” (Karsyn) 

Q: How do you guys find the scene back home versus here? 

A: “Back home is pretty crushing. If you’re trying to be an artist in Alberta, like, good luck. There’s no scene. Nothing is walking-accessible, so people without cars can’t get anywhere. Everyone just sort of plays metalcore, which is fine, but there’s not really any life out there. Obviously, there’s life out here, so I guess that’s the difference.” (Karsyn) 

Q: Did the trapper get any royalties off your new album? 

A: “Yeah, I think it was $100,000 already.” (Paul, laughing) 

“I was wearing lipstick that day, and I gave him a kiss on the cheek. He hasn’t washed it off and sends me pictures.” (Karsyn) 

“We bought him a nice Ford, a new pickup.” (Paul) 

“Because that truck was a shitbox.” (Karsyn) 

Q: If you could open a show for any artist, who would it be? 

A: “Demilich.” (Karsyn) 

(Paul laughs) 

“They are the up-and-coming best band to come out. They released an album in 2010, maybe.” (Karsyn) 

“I’d want to play another last tour with Slayer.” (Paul) 

“Chat Pile.” (Thomas) 

“Probably Chat Pile as well right now.” (Chris) 

Q: Where does the name Truck violence come from? 

A: “Just made it up, I guess. People rely on really simple, digestible things that encapsulate a particular aesthetic. I think I wanted to harken back to where we’re from but also make it intriguing and interesting. That’s where violence comes from, and truck is just a flashy word.” (Karsyn) 

“Yeah, it’s really easy. It’s the most annoying thing when someone asks your band name, and you tell them, and they say, ‘What? How do you spell that?’” (Paul)

Q: “I know you guys used to just go by Truck, what inspired you to add violence?” A: “There’s nothing particularly deep behind it. Where it comes from is a place of sincerity, but you have to sort of embellish everything that you do to some degree. I think where I’m from is really cool. It’s funny moving here and finding out it’s becoming cool, because I remember country culture being redneck and stupid, and everyone hated it. Now you walk around the Mile End, and everyone’s wearing camo and mustaches. It’s an epidemic—the Mile-End capitalist.” (Karsyn) 

Q: “But you guys are OGs, though.” 

A: “Yeah, exactly. I was doing it before it was cool.” (Karsyn, laughing) 

Q: How did you find the recording process for your album? 

A: “We recorded in our basement. It was really fun, a good time. We got to hang out a lot in between.” (Thomas) 

“Paul has always done all of the work—recording, mixing, mastering, and producing our records ever since we were kids. I never wanted to work with an engineer or producer. It feels unfamiliar and kind of uncomfortable. I think you want to be as comfortable as possible—not when you’re writing, but when you’re putting it down.” (Karsyn) 

Q: How long have you two known each other? 

A: “Since 9th grade. Paul moved from Ontario to Alberta to our small town, and we’ve just been making music since then.” (Karsyn) 

Q: “Since the 9th grade?” 

A: “Yeah. We’ll probably make music till one of us quits. I don’t think I could ever see myself writing music without him. If Paul quits tomorrow, I guess I’d be done too.” (Karsyn) Q: “That’s a lot of pressure!” 

(Paul laughs) 

Q: If you had to describe your music in one word, what would it be? 

A: “Desolate.” (Thomas) 

“Rowdy.” (Paul) 

“Furtive.” (Karsyn) 

“Violent.” (Chris) 

Q: Is violence ever the answer? 

A: “No. Maybe it’s the question… probably both. Violence is a good thing most of the time—sometimes. I don’t know if we can agree on this. Food for thought. We’ll say yes because it’s controversial. The best way to solve violence is with more violence. Down with political pragmatism! Definitely give up your seat at the table and never vote because it’s good for you. You’ll definitely be represented if you don’t vote. That’s why violence is so good.” (Karsyn, laughing)