SHEEPDOGS
Saskatoon band eager for homecoming
The Sheepdogs are nearly home for an Odeon show on Dec. 12 as their Canadian tour winds to a close in time for Christmas. With help from bassist Ryan Gullen, here are 12 tidbits about the band for the 12th day of the 12th month of the 12th year. 1. 12/12/12: The Sheepdogs will play their hometown on this special date, the last of its kind until Jan. 1, 2101. Gullen said the band isn’t superstitious about numbers, but “12/12/12 is a pretty great date to play in Saskatoon. That’s very cool.” 2. Movie stars: A documentary about the Sheepdogs, entitled The Sheepdogs Have At It, was the closing film earlier this month at the Whistler Film Festival. The band couldn’t be there for the screening, but Gullen said he heard it got a really good response.
“It was kind of a bummer that we couldn’t be there. It’s a pretty cool documentary and we’re proud of it. We weren’t really involved in anything to do with it except being on camera,” he said.
The doc was executive produced by Spencer Rice, of Kenny vs. Spenny fame. Gullen said the movie shows a more realistic picture of what life is like for the band.
“I think a lot of people just assumed that after the Rolling Stone stuff we were on easy street, which isn’t the case whatsoever. It just shows that there’s a lot of work involved in what we did afterwards.” 3. Feelin’ Good: The Sheepdogs’ new single, the fuzzy, bass-heavy Feelin’ Good, was released on Nov. 2. 4. First headlining U.S. tour: The band’s first headlining tour in the United States was a great opportunity for the band to take stock of its fan base south of the Canadian border. They played 42 dates, including a sold-out show at the Bowery Ballroom in New York City
“It was a pretty intense tour,” Gullen said, adding that even though not every date was packed “every show had people that were genuinely excited that we were there and singing along to our music.” 5. Canadian tour: Since Nov. 1, The Sheepdogs have
been touring Canada. “It’s been overwhelmingly great in Canada on this tour. It’s been a great way to finish off the year,” Gullen said.
6. Francophone fans: Gullen and his bandmates were somewhat surprised, but delighted, to have a strong following in Quebec.
“None of us speak French,” he said, “but it’s pretty remarkable how two of the craziest shows we had on tour were there. They were both sold out.”
The band played to 1,000 people in Montreal, com-
plete with stage diving and body surfing.
7. Winter: Gullen was home in Saskatoon for a day and a half in November. He picked up some new clothes and a winter coat, but so far it hasn’t been too cold. The Sheepdogs ended their U.S. tour in the hot south and, during this interview, they were in a rainy and 13 C Toronto. His winter coat is sure to come in handy soon. 8. Breeding: According to The Associated Press, breeders are concerned about the drop in the number of purebred sheepdog puppies. In 1975, nearly 16,000 puppies were registered with the American Kennel Club. The number three years ago was just over 1,000. Wait, wrong Sheepdogs … Though the popularity of the dog breed might be waning the band doesn’t share the same fate. 9. Sin City: The Sheepdogs’ The Way It Is was featured in October promo spots for the CBS TV show Vegas. 10. End of the world: The Sheepdogs’ Canadian tour finishes in Victoria on Dec. 21, which some people think will be the end of the world. Gullen said the band and openers Yukon Blonde are considering holding and end of the world after-party following the concert.
“We’re basically touring until the end of the world, which seems very fitting for us,” Gullen said. 11. Satisfied: If Earth does implode or zombies take over, Gullen said he’s happy with how he’s spent his last days.
“I’m doing what I’m passionate about,” he said. “I probably could have used a few extra months of relaxing and not playing every single day for basically two years straight. But if the world ends, I’ll feel satisfied that I spent my last days doing what I love.” 12. Time off: If the world doesn’t end, the Dogs hope to take a month off, following 11 months of steady recording, touring and other band stuff. It will give the guys time to hang out with friends and family before likely tours to Australia, Europe and more U.S. dates in 2013.
“If the world doesn’t end it will probably be lots of the same,” Gullen said.