Rhythm Activism was a Canadian, Montreal-based musical collective, revolving around the core duo of Sylvain Côté and Norman Nawrocki. The group, formed in 1985 as a poetry and music ensemble,[1] evolved into performing a politically radical brand of "rock 'n rollcabaret" and incorporating elements of post-punk and folk into their music.[2] They featured on 36 releases.[3]
On several occasions, the band recorded and released albums on just a few days' notice, to support political activist campaigns such as the Oka Crisis of 1990 and a Quebec students' strike. Most of their material was released on their own Les Pages Noires label, although their 15th and final album Jesus Was Gay was distributed on G7 Welcoming Committee Records.[4]
Rhythm Activism also performed theatre shows in Montreal, including the "community circus cabaret comedy" Le Cirque en Ca$h in 1997 and 98.[3][7][8] The band toured with DOA, John Giorno, Mecca Normal[9] and Linton Kwesi Johnson.[10]