The Sheepdogs and Yukon Blonde played the Commodore Ballroom Thursday night, finishing up their stay in Vancouver before heading to Victoria to wrap up their Canadian tour. Promoting their self -titled album, The Sheepdogs performed to a packed house of Rock and Roll revelers for the second night in a row.
Yukon Blonde started things off, warming up the crowd as they streamed in from the street, found their favourite beverage and pushed their way through the crowd. Playing songs from their new album Tiger Talk, which has logged plenty of time on the airwaves with the song “Stairway”. They feature a sound that is very complimentary to The Sheepdogs – simple, catchy riffs with a classic rock flavour that works its way into your eardrums and nests.
Saskatoon natives The Sheepdogs have experienced recent jumps in fame and popularity, locking down three Junos this year: New Group of the Year, Single of the Year, and Rock Album of the Year. Their latest album was produced by The Black Keys and they were recently on the cover of Rolling Stones Magazine. Not bad for a couple of long-haired dudes from the prairies.
I had the opportunity to see them once before, at last year’s Sasquatch Music Festival, and was ecstatic for the chance to see them at the Commodore. They did not disappoint. Their songs were laced with thick heavy riffs, wailing guitar solos, and soothing vocal harmonies. Their look and sound made me feel like I had traveled back to the late ’60s in some sort of Rock and Roll time machine. What more can you ask for on a Thursday night?
The Sheepdogs finished the show by having Yukon Blonde come out and do a wicked cover of The Band’s “The Night they Drove Old Dixie Down”. The stage was literally packed with flannel and hair as they sent everyone off with a powerfully performed classic.
Great show. Can’t wait for their return trip.
