The Sheepdogs: Southern Dreaming, Saskatoon Style

The Sheepdogs (L to R): Sam Corbett, Ewan Currie, Ryan Gullen and Leot Hanson 

Did you know that Canada is the second largest country in the world? You just know a country that big has got to have some secret gems. No, I'm not talking about Ogopogo, the Canadian Lake Monster, I'm talking about our nifty neighbors from up north, The Sheepdogs. 

Hailing from the Potash Capital of the world, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, these feel good troubadours spent their days becoming extremely well versed on the principles and procedures of sweet, sweet Rock and Roll. Now they are touring our side of the border and collecting legions of fans along the way. As #EDAS readers know, music speaks louder than words, so check out the gnarly crunch on this kickin' live performance. 

The Sheepdogs - Who

I was fortunate to meet these guys after their Sold Out show at Mercury Lounge in May and I was instantly hooked. Don't call it Boogie Rock, they tunes they create are closer to  to the time honored tradition of Southern Rock. Their performances pay homage to the Blues and Rock greats, who laid the foundation for their current sound. I bumped into them again at Catalpa and I talked to lead singer Ewan Currie about how he and the guys balance borrowing from the old, with keeping things new.

"If we went out and just played 12-bar blues, we wouldn't be doing what we're doing. I like when the Blues influenced Rock and became something else. I think the best music of that era was Blues-influenced, but also incorporated singer/songwriter elements and harmonies. We don't just want to be a Blues Band, or just a Jam Band... You gotta put your own twist it, you can't just go out there and try to be John Lee Hooker or Leadbelly. Those guys already did it, and they did it way better than we'd ever do it if we tried to be like them, so we gotta try and do our own thing."

If have ever tapped your toes to the sounds of Lynyrd Skynyrd, The Rolling Stones, Derek and the Dominoes or any classic bluesman, you owe it to them to see the next great band in line, The Sheepdogs.

Your opportunity awaits... You can catch them this Saturday, September 22, at the country's most influential concert venue, Bowery Ballroom (Click here for tickets and info). I've included a few additional pictures of their rain-filled performance at Catalpa below. Also, buy their brand new album on iTunes while you're at it.

Now... the fun part, my favorite video of the extended summer. As a former Little Leaguer myself, I find the concept extra hilarious.

The Sheepdogs - The Way It Is

Leot Hanson Shreds

Sam Corbett Bangs

Ewan Currie and Ryan Gullen Rock