FIVE QUESTIONS WITH VOLTANG'S JAKE REIMER
Andy Dymtryshyn, Jake Reimer, Paul Maxwell, and Evan Dreager pose with Ben Rispin (Santa Claus) of Rules. Both bands play December 8th at Past Presents Future 2 in Hamilton. Photo by Andrea Hunter
"Hi, I'm Ben Rispin. Co-founder of Fannatickets.com and Past Presents Future. Earlier this year when my work wife and Past Presents Future Co-Founder Jesse Bye told me that Voltang was going to reunite this year, I asked if my band Rules could play. To my delight, Jesse laughed and said ya, they're playing your party. I love that band and all those dudes so much, I jumped at the chance and forced Rules onto the bill. I'm writing this because I really can't wait to share the stage with these guys and when the band was active Rules had to cancel on them several times. I'm stoked and grateful we get to rectify that."
BIO:
Voltang are the Canadian demi-gods of Raunch and Roll and professional party animals. Hailing from Hamilton, Ontario and made up of Jake Reimer (vocals), Evan Dreager (guitar and vocals), Andy Dmytryshyn (guitar) and Paul Maxwell (drums). Voltang has engineered a chaotic blend of rock, metal, and punk to create their very own style they proudly call “Raunch and Roll” which they’ve unleashed in the form of 2 albums; Hermaphroditē (2015) and Bad Sounds (2016), and in the form of high-energy live shows all over Canada during their reign from 2015 - 2019.
Voltang has righteously reunited after a hiatus and has returned stronger than ever for their performance at Past Presents Future 2. We're thrilled to have them join us for this edition of Five Questions With
Make sure to catch them DECEMBER 8TH at Past Presents Future 2 with Rules, Lee Reed, Twin Banshee, The Good Depression, and Rogue Despair. Tickets can be purchased here.
WHICH MEMBER OF THE BAND ARE WE TALKING TO?
Hey I’m Jake, the singer.
WHEN AND WHERE WAS YOUR BAND FORMED?
Before the beginning of time, out of the infinite void the seed of raunch came forth and was spread among the nine realms and impregnated all life-giving planets. From Mother Earth, the 4 horsemen climbed out of the ground and assembled in an alliance called Voltang to unleash musical chaos on the multiverse and supply the soundtrack for the last age of man.
Just kidding - I wasn’t there when they formed the band.
WHAT WAS THE FIRST CONCERT YOU WENT TO?
I usually tell people it was Moneen and Rosesdead at the Music Centre in Burlington which is a cool answer but it’s not exactly true.
My friend’s mom took us to see Sum41, I think it was the Pepsi Taste Tour. Remember that? They wanted you to taste two drinks and guess which one was Pepsi? Wild. Anyway, I remember the singer climbed up on top of a speaker with his guitar just like hanging off his shoulder and he looked so rad. I thought “That doesn’t look safe. I wanna do that.”
Jake Reimer performing live with Voltang - Photo by Andrea Hunter
WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST “BIG SHOW”? OR YOUR FIRST SHOW EVER?
Voltang opened for the Misfits at the Phoenix in Toronto - I don’t know how. It was surreal. It was a huge step up from the shows we were used to playing but I’m pretty sure we nailed it. Jerry Only was working out and eating bananas backstage and we thought that was super professional cause we were used to drinking wine and smoking cigarettes before our shows. We learned a lot but don’t expect to see me eating bananas before the set.
WHAT WAS YOUR WORST SHOW OR FUNNIEST SHOW MEMORY?
We’ve played some bad shows, not gonna lie. But the worst?! My brain won’t let me remember it like that. We’ve had shows where people have covered their ears and ran out of the venue the second we started playing but I remember it as fun. Or maybe we played for like 3 people and the bartender but all of us had the time of our lives. One time after a show, someone came to me and said “No offence but how do you keep going - knowing no one likes you?” but honestly that’s hilarious. Can’t have a “worst” time when you’re making noise with your friends, it’s just science.
WHAT’S NEXT FOR YOUR BAND?
Voltang has just awakened after a long sleep. Death came for the raunch but found the raunch never dies and Death thought that was kinda hot. What does it even mean? Who cares! The boys are back in town. Hard. Maybe we’ll do another show? Maybe we’ll drop a track? I don’t know and you’ll never know unless you tune in to the good vibes and get down with the bad sounds. Hell yeah.
Instagram.com/fuckingvoltang
Facebook.com/raunchandroll
https://open.spotify.com/artist/6pBpEiOMCIwPmqSTCoNvvi?si=C6OuNr0OS3md394Rk8ldvA
