By Stephanie Froese

Sheepdogs rounding up Canadian support

May 9, 2011 | 6:26 AM

They’re not a Prairie band, they’re not a Canadian band – The Sheepdogs are both.

Lead guitarist, Leot Hansen, said since entering in a contest to be on the cover of Rolling Stone magazine, people are recognizing the Sheepdogs on the street. He said people come up to the rock-and-roll group saying “you’re that band from Saskatoon.”

The Sheepdogs are among the final four of the Rolling Stone competition which at this point is based on public voting.

The publicity has given the band a big boost in recognition both across Canada and internationally.

Hansen, who grew up in Prince Albert, said more people are liking them on Facebook, following them on twitter and calling to book them for bigger shows.

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Right now The Sheepdogs are playing with bands like Wide Mouth Mason and Bachman–Turner Overdrive in the Prairie Scene festival in Ottawa.

In a photo shoot for the Rolling Stone, the Sheepdogs made sure they represented Canada by modeling a Canadian Flag.

“(The Editors) kind of like to keep it Americana. You know what I mean, but because we’re the only Canadian band they let it slide. So it’s really great that they got that photo in the magazine,” Hansen said.

The Sheepdogs fit in well with the Magazine’s roots as they are all about rock ‘n’ roll music.

“I think people need that right now, in this day and age where there’s not a whole lot of these cool old-school elements going on, so I think people are ready to rock again.”

Hansen said they weren’t really expecting to get this far in the competition, but he thinks they have a chance to make the final round.

“I think we’re one of the better bands in this thing, but sometimes it’s hard with our musical style to kind of breakthrough but I think everyone is kind of catching on to it and really digging it.”

Public voting for this round ends May 13. Vote for the Sheepdogs here.

See related:
Saskatoon band vies for Rolling Stone cover

Canadian Legislator Shows Support For the Sheepdogs

sfroese@panow.com