There’s a classic adage that says those who forget the past are condemned to repeat it. And in a world where past injustices and inequalities continue to be uncovered while current injustices remain, that statement unfortunately still rings true. For the Calgary, Alberta rock group Redhead Mack Band, educating youth about rather recent scandals such as Canada’s residential schools and the tragic price paid by Indigenous children is a difficult challenge. But fortunately, they’ve taken a great step towards creating awareness of universal injustices with the single “Oppression” from their latest album You Know That You Want To.
“Teaching children the history of wars, slavery, genocide, etc. is all impactful, but usually refers to events that feel long ago or far away,” lead singer and guitarist Kevin Phillips, who works as a schoolteacher during the day, says of the inspiration for “Oppression.” “Explaining to elementary kids that residential schools happened here in Canada and were still a thing when their parents were kids was interesting. The song doesn’t refer to specific events in history, but states that, along with trying to not be divided and work together, we need to stop treating anybody as ‘other.'”
“Oppression,” brought to Redhead Mack Band by Phillips during a practice, was fleshed out by the rest of the group consisting of lead guitarist Lee Carlson, bassist and backing vocalist Jared Wiebe and drummer Ian Fraser Love. The result is a tender, Southern rock-tinged piece of perfection, which the band says emerges as “a bit more serious and laid back” than the rest of the material on You Know That You Want To. If you were to think of groups like Drive By-Truckers, Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, or Band of Horses at their tender roots rock best, you’d recognize just how strong a single “Oppression” is.
One subtle but interesting turn of phrase in “Oppression” is a reference to the late soul singer Solomon Burke and his rendition of the song “None Of Us Are Free.” The song, perhaps first recognized when Ray Charles recorded it, appeared on Burke’s 2002 album Don’t Give Up On Me. “None Of Us Are Free” also featured a guest appearance by The Blind Boys of Alabama. While some might consider it a throwaway line, the lyric shows the depth, care and tact Redhead Mack Band has towards the issue and its music overall.
“Oppression” is the latest single for Redhead Mack Band, a group who returned to action following the global pandemic. Phillips, who performed primarily folk music before joining the group, went electric. And while it might not have had the musical history gravitas compared to when Bob Dylan went electric, it certainly has paid off for Redhead Mack Band. A string of folk-rock EPs and singles emerged as did the band’s 2013 album Born On A Time Machine.
Having performed across Western Canada, the Redhead Mack Band have had their music featured in publications such as Canadian Beats, Record World International, and Maximum Volume. “Being in a band isn’t just about playing shows — it’s about passion, heart, and a love for the music that drives us every day,” the band recently said in an Instagram post. “Each practice, each performance, and every note we hit reminds us why we do what we do. It’s the connection, the energy, and the thrill of creating something that moves people. We pour our souls into every song, and it’s that love for music that keeps us going, no matter what challenges come our way.”
“Oppression,” the follow-up single to “Once Again,” released earlier in 2024, is a potent song that is both timely and timeless. It’s a message for unity and togetherness in a world that’s weary from divisiveness.
