The Sheepdogs (Horseshoe, Mar. 11, CMW)

It is tempting to start listing off the classic rock'n'roll influences heard in The Sheepdogs music. Fellow Western Canadian band The Guess Who is an obvious one. Even moments are reminiscent of The Doors would apply. However it seems more accurate to say that this band is a classic rock band of yesteryear. As if wormholed back to the turn of the decade 1970 the Sheepdogs blasted out guitar licks while maintaining a straightforward listenability. They looked the part too with their shaggy hair, and shaggy, white-fur guitar straps. The titular track from their last album, Learn and Burn, came replete with soaring guitar solos and rock drumming, but that is only one example from a unabashedly loud rock set. For half an hour at the 'Shoe last night it was the seventies and the crowd was more than willing to go along for the trip!