Yesterday, Damian Abraham, the lead-screamer and ball of kinetic energy in power punk band Fucked Up, shifted stage presence gears from disrobing and spilling bodily fluids to moderate the ArtsVote mayoral debate in Toronto. Abraham sat with the four contenders, Doug Ford, John Tory, Olivia Chow, Morgan Baskin, and Ari Goldkind, vying for Rob Ford’s heavily soiled (figuratively and literally) seat in Toronto’s Mayor’s office.
The emcee introduces the “incomparable” Damien Abraham before he swings from quiet and composed to moments of unbridled opinion as he is tasked to keep the candidates in check. Abraham asks questions about the future of the city’s arts policy as well as to be polite in their already polite rebuttals. His manner is very low-key, casual and passionate. He throws his arms in the air as the conversation momentarily veers toward public transit. Abraham reassures the crowd “Trust me, if it were up to me there would be a lot more swearing today.” Even with all Abraham’s impassioned arm flailing, I don’t think a drop of blood emerged over the course of the 90+ minute debate.
You can watch the full debate below or a video of Fucked Up live, it’s your decision.
