F---ed Up's Damian Abraham Bringing Music Back to MuchMusic

"I actually just saw Michael Bublé in the hall!" F---ed Up's scary-looking singer Damian 'Pink Eyes' Abraham tells Spinner, after checking out his new digs at MuchMuch's Toronto HQ. "It's definitely a different world than the one I'm used to."

Abraham has suddenly found himself employed at Much after they shocked regular viewers earlier this week by announcing the resurrection of two of their '90s-era music video staples. With the return of 'Rap City' and the Abraham-hosted 'The Wedge' – two forward-thinking programs that gave prime air time to the then-emerging hip-hop and alternative genres -- the nation's so-called music station has, in one fell swoop, regained the respect of that nation, most of whom had written it off as a mainstream mess.

Over the past decade the channel has seemed more interested in airing "lifestyle" shows like 'The OC' and 'Gossip Girl' than the music videos that gave Much its name. But perhaps the doomsayers were premature. Returning to the progressive music video programming of MuchMusic's early decades may even provide a positive inspiration to its American and British counterparts.

But bringing music videos back to the promised land would not be a task for the meek. So when it came time to find a VJ, the higher-ups at Much had little option but to turn to Canada's most eloquent punk rock mouthpiece, counterculture figurehead, leader of a Polaris Prize-winning hardcore band and, of course, occasional Fox News pundit, Damian Abraham.

"This all happened so fast. It never really had time to sink in until I saw Michael Bublé in the hall," he says. "I just realized I'm not in Kansas anymore."

But lest Abraham's head grow big now that he's "made it," the Canadian crooner didn't give him a second glance.

"I would have been shocked and horrified if Michael Bublé recognized me," says Abraham. "Not because he does a bad job, but I'm meant to exist in a world that he does not see."

(Though Abraham could use some glasses, too, as he later tweeted: "Sorry, it was JoshGrobin [sic] all MomRockers look the same to me.")

Watch The Kills on 'The Wedge' Circa 2003
But that is rapidly changing, with a potential viewership of millions, Abraham has a unique opportunity to actually affect the careers of many up-and-coming indie groups, just as the original version of the program did to him.

"I was huge fan of 'The Wedge' growing up and it played a very large role in my development," he recalls. "So to be that person for an entirely new generation of kids was very appealing to me."

More importantly, Abraham -- who was initially offered the gig at this year's Polaris gala -- understands that for the show to be a success he needs to tone down his stage persona, which usually involves gratuitous amounts of male nudity and blood.

"I'm the first to admit this won't be a F---ed Up show, and I don't think it should be," he says. "This is actually my end game. I've wanted to do this since I was a little kid."

See for yourself when 'The Wedge' premieres Wednesday, Jan. 26 at 10PM ET/PT and on MuchMusic's website shortly after.

Watch F---ed Up's Video for 'Crooked Head'