Hard to believe, but true.
The ultimate Sea to Sky Corridor ski bum, filmmaker and punk rocker, Johnny Thrash is turning 49.
For those who may have not seen Thrash's early claim to fame, the 2002 cult classic 70-minute documentary, Ski Bums was the work of Oscar-winning filmmaker John Zaritsky and Thrash. It profiled the live-to-ski culture of Whistler. Thrash is also on screen in the doc, showing the party and drug culture of Whistler, pre-opioid crisis.
"I definitely feel a lot younger than my actual numerical age," Thrash said of his upcoming birthday, with a laugh.
In honour of the occasion, local musician manager Sarah Clark is putting together a party at The Knotty Burl and everyone — over 19 — is invited.
"Bison at The Knotty Burl for Johnny Thrash’s Birthday Bash" on Feb. 9 will feature the popular heavy metal rockers along with the Squamish-based Buster Jangles, PowerTrip and Vancouver's Surrounded by Idiots.
"All of these guys are great — everyone is just a top-notch musician," Thrash said.
Bison has played with among others, heavy-hitters 3 Inches Of Blood, S.T.R.E.E.T.S and Pride Tiger.
"They are a favourite band of mine that I used to see down in Vancouver all the time," he said.
Three of the band members currently live in Squamish
"It will be really great to see them in a small venue," he added.
Thrash said he may channel his former punk rock band, The Harpoons, and get on stage during the night as well.
The evening will also include activities and prize giveaways, he said.
"I am really looking forward to it."
Since leaving Whistler, Thrash has been a Squamish resident off and on for 15 years.
He has witnessed the changes that have occurred since Squamish was more a rough and tumble town.
"I remember going to the old Chieftain when there used to be a sign on the door that said, 'Please check all knives and firearms with the bartender,'" he said, with a hearty laugh.
Thrash takes a pragmatic attitude toward the town's growth.
"It is what happens when you have something that is really good. People want to come and check it out," he said. "We just have to share it with more people."
Outside the local hotspots, there are still areas to be alone in nature, he noted.
"I was just on a ski trip 200 kilometres from Whistler, and there's nobody," he said.
The thriving Squamish music scene is a plus for the town, he said.
"There's great jam studios now and places to record... I know there are a lot of good musicians out there and with The Knotty Burl, it is great."
Thrash is also legendary for his naked stunts in his film Ski Bums — in which he is seen riding a gyroscope and taking to the hills in the buff.
He can't say whether that will or won't happen again at his bash.
"I can't guarantee anything 'cause it is always by the whim of the moment and whether anyone has seen the RCMP in the last 20 minutes... they all know me," he said with a chuckle.
Tickets to "Bison at The Knotty Burl for Johnny Thrash’s Birthday Bash" on Feb. 9 at the door, Stuntwood or online at www.showpass.com.
