GWU! recently discovered the BoatRawker’s hilarious music parody videos that throw the overblown pandemic overboard. The songs are funny, poignant and rock’n. Staff reporter Johnny Jock won’t stop jumping on Publisher JJ McRobert’s desk in the newsroom to belt out covers of “Where the Sheep Have No Brains,” “Jabracadabra” and the brand new climate scam inspired “Light Those Fires!”
In this GWU! exclusive, The BoatRawker reveals his satirical music origins, inspiration, creative method and thoughts on entertainment vaccine sellout shills. Turn the volume of your mistrust of the system up to 11 and get ready to rawk the boat, one parody at a time!
GET WOKE UP! WITH THE BOATRAWKER IN A SUPER SPREADER UNREDACTED Q AND A
GWU: Your first song ‘Resist’ is marked as copyright 2021. Did you start doing parody music videos in 2022 or earlier and if so were your songs initially censored?
BR: Lol! That’s too funny! The first parody video I did was posted on October 22, 2021 – Pure Blooded. It was removed from YouTube within a week, if I remember correctly. I posted it to Rumble and BitChute about the same time.
GWU: You’re a talented lyricist and a vocalist with a deft ear for impersonation. How long does it take you to compose a new song and then record and mix it?
BR: The lyric writing is very time consuming (to do it right). I make a strong effort to maintain the rhythmic structure, syllable count and accurate rhyme scheme of the original lyrics. LOTS of coffee, thought and patience! Some are easier than others and I keep a working lyric file with a bunch of songs to pick at. I usually start my day early and grab whatever I feel inspired to work on that day. “Where The Sheep Have No Brains,” “Hey Dude” and “Eatin Crow” were quite challenging and required a lot of thought.
The time it takes to sing, record and mix a song really depends on the production complexity of the original composition. For example, “mRNA”, “You Kill Us With Vaccines” and “Hey Dude” involve a lot of background vocals and very specific effects that are essential in reproducing a likeness of original sound. I usually track the lead vocal in 1-2 hours. Backing vocals can take 30 min to 4 hours. Mixing is done on the following day and can take roughly 1-4 hours.
As for “impersonating” the vocals, I kind of sing through the song a time or two freestyle, as I loosely attempt to sound like the vocalist. When I’m comfortable, I take it line by line: Listen to the isolated vocal of the singer and reproduce it myself until I sound as close as I can reasonably get. Some sound better than others but overall I’m close enough to get a laugh out of it!
GWU: You masterfully span multiple musical genres with your songs. What kind of research goes into replicating the lyrics and sound?
BR: I enjoy many genres of music and try as best as possible to give listeners a variety of styles to choose from… try to keep it fresh and exciting. For song selection, I consider: clever lyric potential (humor), hit status, novelty value and vocal range / performance. As a rule of thumb I choose to sing what showcases my vocal in one way or another. I’m kicking around the idea of a Disney theme or a Rat Pack tune for example! lol
GWU: Do you recreate the music or is it from an existing instrumental cut of the songs you use to create such accurate musical parodies?
BR: In the interest of time, if I can find quality instrumental tracks I go with that. If not, I’ll create them from scratch.
GWU: When did you first start making music in general? Was parody always your desired creative style?
BR: I started singing as a child and picked up guitar in my early teens. I’ve always been driven to write and record music. For me, nothing really replaces the satisfaction I get when a song I had in my head plays back to me through a set of speakers. It’s like it stops nagging me then! I never did parodies until I was inspired by the atrocities of the Scamdemic. I didn’t expect anything from it, it was more therapeutic for me than anything else. It was a way to get my frustrations about the Covid thing out.
GWU: There’s a meme we have pinned up to our storyboard in the office. You might have seen it. It features a Gray NPC head asking The Yes Chad character: “Who radicalized you??” To which Yes Chad calmly responds in the next panel “You did” Perhaps radicalized isn’t the exactly correct word … (unless you’re Rachel Gilmore describing anyone slightly right of the radical Left) but you’re definitely part of the resistance. Your song “Resist” is an inspirational anthem, as well as a catchy tune. What made you want to resist and why do you think so many in Canada and indeed around the world did not?
BR: Well, I have been “awake” for about the last 20 years. When they pulled the pin on the Covid scam, I knew within week 2 that it stunk to high heavens and “they” were going for broke. I’m the kind of guy who wants to be “left alone” by the powers that be to live my life as I see fit. I was onto the vaccine scam long before Covid came around and taking the jab is never an option. When they started pretty much forcing experimental shots it was on like Donkey Kong.
I mean, if a used car salesman came at you like the government did with the shots… he’s probably trying to sell you a lemon, right? Plus, I have ZERO trust in the Canadian Government (wait, is there less than zero?) There came a point where I HAD to do SOMETHING. I started posting some talks online then I did “Pure Blooded” and it seemed to get traction. I think people did not resist for a number of reasons: constant propaganda, gas lighting, fear, division, ignorance, censorship and social media control. I want to help change that.
GWU: Although much of what you sing about in your parodies is becoming more and more obvious; sudden vaccine death, impacts of lockdowns, it was just the flu; these opinions are still ignored or glossed over by the majority of people. How has having these unpopular opinions affected your personal relationships with people in your life?
BR: Oh man, like probably many of your followers I experienced loss of work, estrangement from some family members, mild ridicule, loss of several “friends” and acquaintances (I love sharing my music with them…lol). Many have been sick and a couple have died. It’s very sad. I guess, in a strange way they created The Boatrawker. The silver lining is at the same time I made new relationships and super strengthened my true ones. I weathered the storm, came out hard as a nail and now it’s getting interesting. People are slowly beginning to change their tune. We will see how this plays out.
GWU: Did you attend the Ottawa Protest or follow it in the alternative press? How did this defiance of mandates in ultra-obedient Canada make you feel?
BR: I didn’t attend but followed closely. You know, my buddy and I were all but out of faith in Canada about a week before the protest then… BOOM! We couldn’t believe it! I was SOOOOOO PROUD of those guys and gals. What heart. It blew me (and the world) away. No one can ever take that from them. Semper FI!
GWU: You mention God in your videos and songs occasionally. Are you a very religious person? How do you feel God offered people hope in such a time of despair?
BR: Hmm, how can I put this? I’m not religious in the framework of “man’s religion” but I do my best to be a servant of the Almighty as revealed in the Bible. I believe God is using the times we are in to strengthen our faith, separate the wheat from the chaff and deepen our dependence on him. In my opinion there is no political solution to the problems the world is currently facing.
GWU: Weird Al … hero? Or are you tired of the comparisons with a vaccine shill who demanded anyone PAYING FOR A TICKET to his live shows be fully vaccinated? Great! Now I hate Weird Al! Thanks a lot vaccines!
BR: Lol! Hey, maybe I should do a parody of a Weird Al Parody!!!! Bahaha! (Too funny) No, not a fan but he was a pioneer who had a great run. I think what he did was meaningful in some ways. I use parody to culture jam. I had no idea it would be as effective as it is.
GWU: Speaking of Covid shills… Chris Mann’s version of My Sharona “My Corona” and his love song “Moderna in My Veins” along with Stephen Colbert’s Vaxscene, and James Cordon’s and Ariana Grande Lockdown Fauci tribute musical number were all part of a masterful propaganda campaign by the government and Big Pharma. As an artist what was your reaction to seeing so many entertainers sell out so big?
BR: It makes me sick. For the most part, they are cookie cutter talentless hacks who need a million dollars’ worth of production to inch out a semi-professional performance. I doubt any of them could sing and strum around a campfire and impress their friends. If they had a soul, it’s cringe worthy to think they sold it for such a pittance. Not to mention the pain and suffering their influence caused. I should tell you what I really think eh? Lol
GWU: A warning pops up on the YouTube video for “Everybody,” which you describe in the comments as: About boxing. Definitely not about anything medical or health related at all. Ever. Your song ‘Imagine’ featuring Klaus Schwab doesn’t even show up on your feed. What has it been like as an artist having so much of your work censored and removed?
BR: It’s a total disservice to humanity. I don’t believe my work is hateful in any way. It is what it is and I just present the facts as they are albeit satirically. In fact, my work gives many people a much needed laugh and comic relief from a very dark reality the governments have foisted upon them. It’s a vent for frustration and a good thing in a healthy society. The censoring of the Klaus Schwab tune is a particular bummer … it’s ridiculously funny!! At any rate, I wear the warning tag like a badge of honor. Maybe I’ll get some T-shirts made of it! How cool is that, I come with a warning! Ha-hah!
GWU: You’ve mentioned in your video updates that you do tribute work on the road. What sort of music are you performing? That must be great practice for replicating sounds in your parody work.
BR: I’ve performed a tribute to Billy Joel for closing in on 20 years now. Typically I tour throughout Canada, US, Mexico and the Caribbean playing at Casinos, Theaters, Festivals and on Cruise Ships. I also do tribute covers of John Fogerty, Elton John and some Beach Boys material. If I can sing it I’ll do it!
GWU: Most of your songs have the lyrics running along the screen karaoke style. Have you ever or would you consider a sing-a-long concert? The GWU! parking lot or the Canadian Tire across the street are available.
BR: For sure, I’ve been considering tour potential for The Boatrawker. I’ll build my online presence for a little while longer and see how it goes. If a solid demand emerges I’d love to…bigtime.
GWU: There are so many powerful and funny lyrics in your songs. What are your five favourite ones?
BR: Jabracadabra: For its cleverness.
Pure-Blooded: Because it was the first.
Where the Sheep Have No Brains: The lyrics came out well and took the piss out of Bono.
Eatin Crow: Vocal sound and Lyrics
I’ll Be Mocking You: I like the rawness of it. One take video and one take vocal. It’s almost exactly what was in my head. I found the lyrical approach interesting.
GWU: There are many simple but powerful visuals in your videos. “Eye of the Pfizer” opens with pics of Bell’s Palsy victims. “The Final Lockdown” cuts to gratuitous montage of police brutality with that simple description. “Where The Sheep Have No Brains” opens with a Trump election freakout screaming girl then cuts to a static image of a sheep in a mask. Do you make all the videos yourself and where do the ideas of how to visualize them come from?
BR: I do the video myself but I consider myself a visual technician more than a video artist really. I want the visual presentation to first and foremost support the message of the song, specifically the lyrics. It’s been a learning curve for me and I learned quickly that algorithms pick up on visuals and can censor your content (dropped the ball a couple of times on that). I’m pretty limited on what I can “safely” get away with so I’m being forced to be simple AND creative. This isn’t easy…lol. “Where the Sheep” was a good example of this. I was working on a fairly complicated video idea and it didn’t really do it for me. Then I dropped it (kind of out of frustration) and went bare bones like…”what do sheeple act like”? Her image came to mind pretty quickly and I grabbed the video. I grayscaled it and put it to the intro music with a fade in. It was good. Then I wanted it to span the whole intro. I faded it in and out for effect and climaxed her scream when the music kicked in! I think it worked well. The masked sheep was in my mind pretty much from go. Video artistry is touch and go for me but I’m slowly getting a feel for it.
GWU: “Never Miss Chendure” is a transgender departure from Covid. Will you be moving away from focusing on humanities over reaction to the common cold or do you still have more to say about the Pandemic of the UnBraininated? Johnny Jock came up with that one, you can have it!
BR: I may have a couple more Covid tunes in the works but yes I’m beginning to focus on other topics. Banking, Ukraine, Transgender, free speech, depopulation, climate change / environment (give me strength). Maybe even some crazy stuff like UFOs, AI and Flat Earth!!! Haha!
GWU: We know that you also have your own original songs. Will you be sharing those on your usual channels?
BR: I will, yes, as well as on Spotify. I want to put my parodies on Spotify, but there is red tape involved. We’ll see how it goes.
GWU: Can we see you live on the road? Do we need to take Covid test at the ticket booth?
BR: I will allow you to see me in concert but you must first provide proof of your unvaccinated status.
GWU: You recently announced that supporters of your work can purchase audio versions of your songs. We can’t wait to see people rocking Jabracadabra from their cars. What is the best way fans can support your work?
BR: Rocking the Boatrawker in cars can move the needle! Those who wish to support my work can do so with one time / monthly donations or pick up audio versions of my songs with a donation at the following links:
Email Transfer: [email protected]
Paypal: paypal.me/boatrawker
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=85182354
Subscribestar: https://www.subscribestar.com/theboatrawker
I am The Boatrawker and I approve this article!