Punk Globe: Hi Ted Thanks for chatting with us. Can you give us a little history of your musical background? 

Ted Axe: I am a Canadian rocker and have roots that sprawl back as far as the 70s having shared the stage with the likes of The Ramones,LA Guns and The Stranglers.I scored a punk rock hit ”TVs on The Blink” with my band The Action aka ”Canada’s first punk band” back in the day.The band imploded before I could truly make my mark.Since then,I have lived in LA, and Seattle, Vancouver,Montreal and Toronto bringing my macabre and vampirish vibe to the stage! 

Punk Globe: What’s your music making process?

Ted Axe:I live the song first and most of my songs are about situations in relationships that I have experieced.My music is cathartic.So I have a riff written on guitar,I write the words (I have lived) and I also usually have a bridge or mid eight to give the song another part that happens only once.)

Punk Globe: Where is your favorite venue to play shows?

Ted Axe:I love The Opera House in Toronto.It’s an ancient big room with a big stage and we performed our first show there as The Ted Axe Band.It is haunted and full of voices.It hosts international acts on a regular basis.

Punk Globe:Who are some of your favorite Indie artists? 

Ted Axe:Ted Axe I suppose! I am a bit of a stick in the proverbial mud you might say as I don’t have any!I still listen to 0ld Bowie (Ziggy stardust period),Bauhaus,TRex,The Sweet’Mott The Hoople and also Nine Inch Nails.I’m quite a bit Glam!

Punk Globe: What’s a subject you’ve always wanted to write a song/sing about?

Ted Axe:I always wanted to write a song that would stop violence when someone would hear it.I am saddened by the violence that is perpetuated on animals in our society and the human conflicts resulting in innocent victims’ lives.

Punk Globe: What do you enjoy most about being a musician? What do you least enjoy?

Ted Axe: Music runs through my veins always and I play a tribal drum in the park where I live everyday.I am fascinated by rhythm and strange melodies.Any stage becomes hallowed ground for me and any audience becomes people I can tell my stories to…people who can relate to my lyrics and who may be moved by my music.I think the thing I least like about being the band leader and leader of my own destiny is that it all depends on me.I love it but it is a 24/7 kind of pressure.Have a good time while you are trying to make it because even if you don’t you will have had a good time!.

Punk Globe: What has been your most enjoyable song to write? Why?

Ted Axe: My song ”Get Out of Rehab”.It was one of my only songs that was written about someone else! I met a guy in the park early one Sunday morning who’d actually left Rehab  before he was supposed to as the local rehab is just around the corner!He was well into a case of beer when he approached me and ended up telling me his story!   

Punk Globe: How old were you when you wrote your first song and what was it about? 

Ted Axe: I was 18 and was living in Mexico going to university there taking art. My father was the Canadian ambassador there. I rebelled and often frequented Mexico City’s red light district called The Zona Rosa.That was the song’s title.

I think because it was one of my only songs that was written about someone else’s experience!I met a guy in the park one early Sunday morning with a case of 24 beers at 6AM who’d just ”escaped” from rehab and he told me his story.