By Lexxington Many Heads
Hailing from Siksika Nation, Quarter Ounce is a rising punk-rock, four-piece band formed by Quarthon Bear Chief on vocals, and Oscar Black on guitar with Will Big Crow on bass and Tim Low Horn on the drums. Unapologetically, this group has quickly forged a way for themselves in the punk-rock scene, carrying the spirit of Siksika and Tsuu T’inna with them every step of the way.
Before forming the band, Quarthon and Oscar were members of No More Moments, another punk group from Siksika Nation. After the band members went their separate ways, the two found themselves drawn back together. “We liked what we were doing,” Quarthon says. “We liked the punk-rock scene because it was area where we could be whacky but at the same time, be political and express ourselves as First Nations… That’s where we found comfortability in ourselves.” Quarthon and Oscar fell in love with the aspect of it and knew that they wanted to keep making punk rock music and to stay in the alley they were in. Interestingly, their band name has a unique origin, dating back to when both Quarthon and Oscar were kids. When they were younger, Quarthon was often referred to as ‘Quarter’ and Oscar, was called ‘Oz’ aka the abbreviation for ounce. While brainstorming for a band name, they came to the realization that when you put both their nicknames together, it creates ‘quarter oz’. Naturally, the name came together for the group, and they officially became Quarter Ounce. Created by Brenden Many Bears, Quarter Ounce’s distinctive logo features a medicine bag with a quarter ounce design on it. “We were like, ‘let’s just make it a medicine bag and act like we’re giving a quarter ounce of medicine to everyone,” Quarthon laughs. “We were just getting these ideas and seeing how far we can go with it, and the name just came along very naturally.” The band name, however, wasn’t the only childhood influences had on this band.
When it comes to music, one of their greatest influences is their dad’s, specially Quarthon and Oscar. Quarthon shares that, “We grew up as metalheads at first and that’s how we started. We would listen to metal but then we started listening to artists like Metallica and Ozzy Osbourne.” Craig Bear Chief, Quarthon’s dad, plays guitar and Quarthon remembers seeing him play it when he was younger. When he was about six years old, Quarthon started learning guitar and with the help of his dad, who started buying him guitars, would teach him to read tabulators and from there, he kept practicing. Along with his dad’s talent showcased in his house growing up, Quarthon’s mom sang quite a bit too. “My passion for music started at a very young age—it was my parents who really influenced me on musicianship.” Everything that Quarthon learned from his parents, he took with him and went even further with it. Like Quarthon, Oscar grew up surrounded by music, watching his dad play in a band with Oscar’s uncles, in Manitoba. Coming from a family of musicians, Oscar started playing guitar at a young age, even joining in on his dad and uncle’s band. Quarthon praises Oscar greatly for his superior guitar playing, “Oscar is one of the best guitarists and I will die on that hill!” Both Quarthon and Oscar fell in love with music, thanks to growing up with parents who were musicians. With the teachings they had, it catapulted into what they have today and being able to tour in different places across Canada.
When Oscar and Quarthon were with No More Moments, they played a gig in Iqaluit, Nunavut. “For me that was the coolest place I played because it was so different… The culture and everything like that, how they live and how they think. It was such an honor to get to play out there.” Quarthon recalls that when they played there, it was during the season where the sun doesn’t set. “You can imagine how crazy it was to come out of this place at like 2:30 in the morning and the sun is still out! It was crazy—like we were in twilight zone or something!” Quarthon laughs. However, the most unforgettable part was the community’s connection to and appreciation for the music. There was a moment where Quarthon was worried about how much the audience would enjoy their music. “I was like ‘I don’t know how you guys will take our music. We’re a really angry band,’ and I remember one of the women out there was like, ‘well, good! We’re all angry—our entire community!’ and I was like, ‘wow, okay, this is awesome!” The band ended up being the first band to have a stage diver out in the crowd. The community of Iqaluit were very appreciative of the music and for them taking the time to go out to their community to put a show on for them. Quarthon recalls that it was a great experience, very welcoming, and a nice reminder that, as Indigenous people, we are all one in the same and yet so different at the same time. “It opened my mind and heart to the fact that not everyone has to be the same, but we need to accept that we’re all fighting the same battles.”
Anytime that Quarter Ounce can engage with their communities, that is what they are all for. “We want to be proud that were from Siksika and Sarcee—where Will is from. This is our home. We’re proud of our people, we’re proud of who we are, and this is why we do it. We want to put Siksika on the map—Blackfoot people on the map. We want people to know that we, as indigenous people, are just as creative and have just as much to offer the world as anyone else and we want to showcase that as best we can. Even though it’s just through music, it’s only a matter of time before another Blackfoot is inspired to join another field whether it be the sciences, the arts, or any other different form—we just want to be part of that movement.”
Quarthon offers words of encouragement for aspiring Siksika youth: “We all believe that people are or aren’t meant for things. That Some opportunities are meant for people and some don’t work out for people. What I’ve come to realize is that everyone gets a chance at what they want to do. It’s not a matter of who you are and what you can bring, it’s a matter of how long you stick to it. I believe it was Travis Barker who said: ‘Everyone’s time comes, it’s just a matter of waiting ‘till it happens.’ A lot of bands don’t make it big because they give up too early or they disband, but everyone has their time. Don’t worry about being the best, just worry about being undeniable. As long as no-one can deny your skill and what you bring, then you’re going to be fine—don’t worry about anyone else. Believe in your own craft, believe in what you believe is good. Trust me, I guarantee there’s a lot of people out there who believe in it too. Open your mind, get to know new people, and expand your horizon. Don’t let the rez swallow you up, but at the same time, be proud of where you come from.”
Quarter Ounce has just wrapped up their five-song EP, with an upcoming EP release show currently in the works. Fans can also catch them at Rockin’ for Dollars on November 27th at the BLOX Arts Centre in Calgary, Alberta. Follow Quarter Ounce online to stay connected, hear new music, and support one of the most exciting Indigenous punk bands emerging today.
Facebook: @Quarter Ounce
Instagram: @quarterounceband
Apple Music and Spotify: @Quarter Ounce
