Bluesfest: Sheepdogs

My last show of the night (unless you count a quick pass by John Mellencamp's main stage show) was to see Rolling Stone coverboys The Sheepdogs at the River Stage. I might be sounding like a broken record now, but yet again this was another act I saw at a tiny club before their rise to fame and glory. Back in March 2009 many local music fans, starting with Zaphod's soundman Slo' Tom, were telling me what a great band the Saskatoon combo, and so they proved to be. Relentless touring and sheer talent has paid off, and the hirsute lot garnered a great big crowd wih their harmonious classic rocking.

Unfortunately it was kind of dark, so my photos turned out more impressionistic (that's may way of saying "out of focus" then I'd like). Ewan Currie has been growing his hair.



As have guitarist Leot Hansen, drummer  Ryan Gullen and bassist Sam Corbett!



Singalong action!



Guitar action!



Yet more guitar!



Drumming action!



And, er, that's it. They released their self-titled fourth album in September, once again to much acclaim.

Ottawa Bluesfest 2012, Day 9

Thursday was another day of rock at Ottawa Bluesfest; if you liked the classic sounds, it was definitely the Thursday for you. First up were local faves The White Wires, who had plenty of stuff to toss into the crowd along with their usual power-pop rocking. Since Allie is still hanging out in California, they had Caylie from Boyhood - a.k.a. the other band Luke plays in - to play drum in their 35-minute set.


The White Wires at Ottawa Bluesfest, July 12, 2012

They were done so early I got over to the Black Sheep Stage for some of Terry Gillespie's set. He had the Texas Horns along to help out.


Terry Gillespie at Ottawa Bluesfest, July 12, 2012

"Just blow through this one," he told Kaz and Co., who duly obliged.


The Texas Horns with Terry Gillespie at Ottawa Bluesfest, July 12, 2012

The it was off to The Pack AD, who offered up their usual distorted mutant blues to a very appreciative crowd.


The Pack AD at Ottawa Bluesfest, July 12, 2012

I popped over to the main stage for a bit to see what Cowboy Junkies are up to these days. Margo Timmin's narcoleptic croon is no longer, though she's still a fine singer. They were making quite a bit of noise; perhaps that's what the main stage demands.


Cowboy Junkies at Ottawa Bluesfest, July 12, 2012

Then it was back to the River Stage (where I probably could have camped out on Thursday) for The Hold Steady. Granted, it's not quite the same as catching them at Zaphod's, which was a wild Top 5 type of show, but a good time was had by all, with lots of audience singing along.


The Hold Steady at Ottawa Bluesfest, July 12, 2012

Then I went over to listen to a little bit of John Mellencamp, who was looking a bit dishevelled and sounded raspier than in his heyday, but still doing a good job, kicking off with Authority Song. I was really to far away to bother with phiotgraphy, though there are a couple of dark and distant shots in my Flickr stream for those interested in hunting them down. After 15 minutes I went off to watch The Sheepdogs. I saw them play to a small audience at Zaphod's, and wanted to catch them at the last Bluesfest but went to see PS I Love You and Girl Talk instead and only caught the tail end of their set. This time I made the correct decision and went over to see them start things up. Once again I was mighty impressed by their super harmony work and 1970s classic rock skills. I have to assume they'd have been huge if only they'd been 40 years earlier. Oh well, they still had a big crowd in the palm of their hands.


The Sheepdogs at Ottawa Bluesfest, July 12, 2012

Not my favourite day so far, but still real good.

• Show reminder: Cousins of Reggae, Matt Morel and Adam Saikaley bring strange sounds to Raw Sugar;  The Alexis P Suter Band performs at The Rainbow; Al Wood & The Woodsmen and Firebell play Irene's; Waterbomber and Port Manteau drop in at the Elmdale.

Ahead of the pack

Saskatoon's Sheepdogs are a first-rate band; of all the bands I've seen lately they're the ones who have generated the most unsolicited praise from folks fortunate to catch them live. I'd say they're a guaranteed hit for anyone who likes their CCR or Drive-By Truckers.

From left to right we've got Leot Hanson on guitar, drummer Sam Corbett, frontman Ewan Currie and bassist Ryan Gullen.



Second Led Zeppelin shirt of the night ... but you don't need the clothes to guess the men like their classic rock.



Singalong action - The Sheepdogs' A+ vocal work sets them apart from a lot of would-bes.



That Sam up close.



Sheepish action!



And so on!





Everyone on the rider!



Rhythm section action!



Headed for the finish line ...





Big finish!



Certainly a swell act to catch live. They're now back in Saskatoon, readying themselves for a two-night stand on their home turf at Lydia's.

• Show reminder: The Bible All Stars, Urban Preacher and Inglewood Jack perform at The Rainbow. It's singer-songwriter time at The Elmdale House with Ray Harris, Lefty McRighty, Rick Hayes and R.W. Haller.

Happy to be back

It's horrible to think the last time I managed to see a show was February 26, unfortunately events and last-minute show cancellations conspired to keep me out of the clubs. At least my return to the scene - Zaphod Beeblebrox's free showcase, to be precise, to see The Sheepdogs, Heidi Happy, Songs From a Room and The Jay Spectre - was graced by four capable-to-excellent sets. Unfortunately a lot of people stayed away ... either they're all off in Cancun, or they're building their strength for St. Patrick's Day.

First up were local duo Organ Eyes. What I heard of them online made them sound like a fuzzed-up folk duo. They're still a folk duo, quite a young one, but their show was mostly fuzzless, and made me think of Vashti Bunyan.


Organ Eyes, Zaphod Beeblebrox, March 16, 2009

They were followed by Toronto's The Jay Spectre, who take some funk, add ska, throw in some pop and shake well. It's not a recipe that particularly appeals to me, but I can't fault their stage skills or musical chops. I particularly dug co-guitarist Jon Hembrey's solo turn. Their set featured a funked up version of Simon & Garfunkel Cecilia. Afterward singer James asked me if I could think of any local bands who might make for a good show partner and my mind was a complete blank apart from Ty Hall and The EZ3 ... anyone else have suggestions? Loudlove, maybe?


The Jay Spectre, Zaphod Beeblebrox, March 16, 2009

The main draw based on my Internet investigations were Songs From A Room. The track I heard online made me think of Soundtrack Of Our Lives at their most full-throated. They put on a cracking live set too. Real robust rock'n'roll ... there's a couple of guitarists missing from this shot, and frontman Brayden Jones has ditched his Gibson SG for the set-ending Revival.


Songs From A Room, Zaphod Beeblebrox, March 16, 2009

I didn't need any Internet research to tell me I wanted to see Saskatoon's The Sheepdogs. I hoped to catch them last time they were supposed to play Zaphod's but they had to bail on that gig. Soundman Slo' Tom told me they were a great band, and several other folks have echoed that praise, most recently in the comments section yesterday. They are indeed an excellent group: Singer Ewan Currie has a strong clear and emotive voice, and either of the guys singing backup could front a band. Excellent guitarwork too from Currie and fellow axeman Leo Hanson.


The Sheepdogs, Zaphod Beeblebrox, March 16, 2009

The only downside was that Heidi Happy was a no-show. According to her schedule she's performing tonight at Cafe Nostalgica (at 603 Cumberland) with People Project. I'm also glad I only have to wait until Saturday for my next night out.

• Show reminder: Underoath, Norma Jean and Innerpartysystem play Babylon - needless to say, the show is sold out. Bloc Party and Holy Fuck perform at Bronson Centre Theatre ... sold out? Hell yes! Left Spine Down and Forget Me Knots rock Zaphod Beeblebrox; The Spades are doing their St. Patrick's Day duty at Mavericks; Leaving Beechwood, Big Us and We Surrender do the same for The Rainbow.