The Northern Report, Vol. 9

BY SEAN BURNS HTT Contributor

Well, good morning, good afternoon, and good evening, friends. I’m comin’ right at ya from Boots & Saddle Headquarters with the studio speakers pinned to the sounds of Edmonton, Alberta’s Jr. Gone Wild. We’re in the midst of a near three-day blizzard here in Winnipeg, and there’s no better time than now to hunker down and really take this record in. You see, friends, Jr. Gone Wild is back, and “Still Got the Jacket” marks their first release since 1995’s “Simple Little Wish.” From 1983-1995, Jr. Gone Wild blew minds with spirited live shows and turned heads with the groundbreaking songwriting of front-man Mike McDonald. By the time Edmonton became known as the “City of Champions,” Jr. Gone Wild had been making an impact in not just their hometown but far and wide across the country, grinding it out in dive bars, community halls and even soft-seaters.

Garnering attention in the major national markets with their powerpop and punk rock sensibilities, Jr. Gone Wild is credited as Canada’s altcountry innovators. The group released five critically acclaimed albums during their reign as the nation’s Kings of Cowpunk: “Less Art, More Pop!” (1986), “Folk You” (1989), “Too Dumb To Quit” (1990), “Pull The Goalie” (1992) and “Simple Little Wish” (1995). Over that initial 12-year run, Jr. Gone Wild left an indelible impact and influence. After reuniting in 2013, they have continued to deliver on stage with the consistency you expect but especially appreciate from a group of grizzled vets. Sure, the stories of the band’s infighting are legendary, but that’s seemingly not what brought them to their demise. Being in a band isn’t easy, and as members came and went, the culture was changing, and our live music industry was drastically deteriorating. In ‘95, they “sold the van, split the money and that was it for 18 years.” Their final tour was less attended than their previous runs, and there would be no opportunity for all those people who said “we were gonna catch you next time” to see Jr. Gone Wild again. Ever. Or so it seemed.

By the time I started hammering the west on tours of my own, Jr. Gone Wild had been split for 15 years. At that time, they weren’t being talked about outside of those in the know, but that’s not to suggest they were in any way an after-thought. The band continued to be celebrated by people of all ages across the country, but in no other place than Edmonton did their star shine so bright.

Mike maintained a presence on the local scene working in record stores on Whyte Avenue, performing solo and with a band under his own name. But nobody, and I mean nobody, especially Mike himself, would have ever believed there’d be another Jr. show. People continued to ask him when or if the band would ever reunite and every time, the answer was the same. It wasn’t gonna happen. Until it did. Mike was working at Mega Tunes record store when he was approached asking if he’d consider putting the band back together for a big show. “Absolutely not.” As the offer pressed on, a couple of months later the same fella returned to make his request again, asking what it would take. Unprepared or unwilling to believe anyone would pony up enough to call him on his bluff, Mike said, “a lot of money,” quoted an “outrageous figure” and was left in disbelief when it was met without hesitation.

McDonald soon after got on the phone to inquire with his bandmates. They reassembled and rehearsed for nine months before making their triumphant return to 600 fans at their show just outside of Edmonton. One show turned into many as offers began pouring in for big shows and festivals across Alberta and the Prairies. Riding high on the back of their reunion and the buzz it generated, the band hit the road and were welcomed back warmly in great Canadian rooms such as The Horseshoe Tavern in Toronto and our very own Times Change(d) High & Lonesome Club here in downtown Winnipeg, Manitoba.

Still Got The Jacket was released Nov. 12, and Jr. Gone Wild ceased to be a legacy act. They’ve been back for eight years, but now it seems more official. The bulk of the record was recorded in Nanton, Alberta, by Jr. guitarist Steve Loree. A wellrespected cat, over the years, Steve has made a wide range of records by artists such as Ian Tyson, Petunia & the Vipers, Corb Lund, SNFU, Tin and The Toad, Mayhemingways, and The Real McKenzies. Sonically speaking, Still Got The Jacket sounds as good — or arguably better — than Steve’s previous output and that of the band’s five earlier albums.

The chemistry of the band members is evident, and the 16 tracks that make this record showcase the twangy rock and melodic country- punk that made us all fall in love with Jr. Gone Wild in the first place.

Perhaps it’s slightly more refined now, but I, for one, am glad that Jr’s “fuck-off ” attitude and energy haven’t faded away with time. The album’s opening cut and early single, “Girl In The Crowd,” is a standout track for me. Certainly not a country song, but absolutely vintage McDonald/Jr. Gone Wild. Among other highlights are country-rock songs like “Old and Ugly,” “Behind The Wheel” and “Barricades.” More in the vein of the Jr. Gone Wild style of alt-country are great tracks “Fool’s Errand” and “What Can You Do.” Sitting atop the sturdy groove of “Fool’s Errand” is a parade of F-bombs from McDonald with none being more charming than Mike’s, “C’mon Steve, fuck off!” ahead of some hot pickin’ by Loree in the solo.

“Still Got The Jacket” marks a true return to the game by Jr. Gone Wild. It serves as a reminder that they’ve still got a lot of gas in the tank and are as strong a Canadian band as there is out there today.

It’s great to think (and hope) that these guys might be able to hit the road next year for the faded lights of dive-bars and shitty front-ofhouse mixed festival stages rather than growing into another tired old casino-playing nostalgia act that so, so many of our artists have become in a desperate attempt to retain some glory. No need to look back for Jr. Gone Wild. Glory lies ahead as their legion of devoted fans is here to celebrate the group and their new record.

Catch my interview with Mike McDonald on The Northern Report Podcast. We covered the early years of the band, its demise, and eventual return while spending a good chunk of time discussing the new record. Find it wherever you get podcasts or at the show’s homebase: anchor. fm/thenorthernreportpodcast.

That’s all for me this time. Stay safe, be smart and don’t be a dick.