Wankin Family

Websites:  No
Origin: Halifax, Nova Scotia, 🇨🇦
Biography:

The Wankin Family: A Short-Lived Riotous Force in Halifax’s Punk Scene
The Wankin Family was an unapologetically raw and fiercely political punk band that exploded out of Halifax, Nova Scotia’s underground scene in the mid-1990s. Known for their incendiary lyrics, DIY spirit, and chaotic live performances, the band embodied the true essence of street punk and hardcore rebellion.

Their sole release, We Did It for the Kids (1999), recorded at Deep 9 Studios and produced by Steve Outhit and the band, is a scathing 11-track manifesto of anti-establishment rage and biting social commentary. Songs like Fuck the Commonwealth, No Justice, and We Are the Wankin Family tackle everything from nationalism and class inequality to personal alienation and systemic oppression. The track Anarchy in Whycocomagh offers a regional punk twist, blending local references with global discontent.

Lyrically unfiltered and brutally honest, The Wankin Family’s songs are as much street-level poetry as they are declarations of war on cultural complacency. Tracks like Suck Your Life Away and No Way to Live explore personal disillusionment, while Imaginary Lines critiques nationalism and borders with raw, satirical energy. The combination of aggressive riffs and biting humor gives the album a unique blend of street punk ferocity and thought-provoking punk philosophy.

The band’s ever-changing lineup reflects their turbulent existence. Over five iterations, The Wankin Family remained a tight-knit but unpredictable group. The final lineup—featuring Ian Competent on bass, Kim MacDonald on guitar, Bobby von Chickenpants on drums, and Richard Lafortune providing vocals (or, as credited, “inaudible slurring”)—would ultimately record We Did It for the Kids before disbanding for good.

Lineups:

Line up #1 (July ’95 – Oct ’95)
Ian Competent: bass and vocals
Lisa Verge: guitar
Damien Nee: drums

Line up #2 (Oct ’95 – Aug ’96)
Ian Competent: bass
Lisa Verge: guitar
Richard Lafortune: vocals
Gerald Smith: drums

Line up #3 (Aug ’96 – Dec ’96)
Ian Competent: bass
Richard Lafortune: vocals
Gerald Smith: drums
Bobby Von Chickenpants: guitar

Line up #4 (Jan ’97 – Apr ’97, one show in Dec ’98)
Ian Competent: bass
Richard Lafortune: vocals
Bobby Von Chickenpants: drums
Kim MacDonald: guitar

Line up #5 (Apr ’97 – Nov ’97)
Ian Competent: bass
Richard Lafortune: vocals
Kim MacDonald: guitar
Derrick Generrick: drums

The band’s final recorded lineup consisted of Ian Competent (bass), Kim MacDonald (guitar), Selwyn Sharples (drums), and Bobby von Chickenpants (guitar), with Richard LaFortune handling vocals.

As Ian Competent reflects in the liner notes:

"The Wankin Family are now part of the past tense. In fact, we had been broken up for over a year but reformed to release this thing because the only recorded legacy we had was an awful demo. So while I will remember this band as a royal pain in the ass, I guess I’m happy that songs will get to survive. I’d like to thank Richard on behalf of all the band members for paying for this thing. Without him, this never could have happened."

Despite their brief existence, The Wankin Family left behind a legacy of raw, unapologetic punk that continues to resonate with fans of politically charged and aggressive music. We Did It for the Kids is a time capsule of rebellion, a soundtrack for those who refuse to back down.