Kieran (The Restarts)
SPB: What was the first punk show you ever went to?
Kieran: Growing up in a small Canadian town, Squamish BC, I only just started to discover punk on day trips into Vancouver city going to import record shops and second hand clothing boutiques that catered to the punk aesthetic. I had heard of a Vancouver artist Jim Braineater and then next thing I knew there were big A0 posters of his amazing artwork in my high school hallways proclaiming "The Braineaters" playing at the Brackendale Art Gallery in Squamish! This was around 1981.They were part goth and part post-punk and had a very strong visual image that was complimented by his jagged edged artwork. The gig was tiny but to have them come to play for the 6 or 7 punks in our redneck town felt so validating and still remains a total turning point for me. This is the main reason I love to play small, remote towns with the Restarts. Jim (I, Braineater) Cummins is still an active, successful Vancouver artist to date.