The Sheepdogs Won't Apologize for Saskatoon 'Degenerate' Diss

Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, boogie-rockers the Sheepdogs drink, do drugs and hang out in dive bars.

According to Rolling Stone writer (and son of famed musician Boz) Austin Scaggs, they also do these things in a city that's a "colourful backwater," in establishments like The Colonial, a "sex farm for blithering drunks," surrounded by "toothless degenerates, binge-drinking collegians and alcoholic members of the First Nations."

Those were just a few of the withering observations Scaggs had about the 265,000 residents of this prairie city when he profiled the Sheepdogs in the mag's August cover story after the unsigned band won Rolling Stone's cover contest. Needless to say, some Saskatonians weren't impressed.

Saskatoon Mayor Don Atchison characterized the portrayal of the city as "exceedingly unfortunate." While over at Planet S, the city's alternative bi-weekly paper, conspiracy-minded online commenters suggested Scaggs was "on a mission to paint them as slow witted, drug addled loafers."

The Sheepdogs, however, remain relatively unfazed by the scandalous portrayal of their hometown.

"When Austin, the writer, came to town it was fourth of July so the proud American wanted to go out for a drink," lead vocalist and guitarist Ewan Currie told Spinner at the band's recent video shoot for new single 'I Don't Know' (read about our day as an video extra here). "We like going for drinks, and it was the middle of the week so we went to some crappy bars that were fun that we do legitimately go to, and he sort of depicted what he saw."

"I just think people should remember that it's an article about his time hanging with the Sheepdogs," Currie continued. "It's not a fair and balanced examination of what Saskatoon is like. Just remember it's a rock magazine and it's got those elements in it. Saskatoon's a beautiful place. We tell people that all the time, but it's not a Tourism Saskatoon ad, it's an article about rock 'n' roll guys."

Saskatoon residents might want to prepare themselves for more tell-all exposes about these wheat-field soldiers. The Sheepdogs don't intend to change their ways any time soon.

"I understand the sensitivity," says Currie, "but there are a lot of people saying, 'This is ridiculous, this is ridiculous...' reacting to it. It's a tough situation. It's home, so I don't want to upset the folks. But at the same time, I'm not making any apologies."

Watch the Sheepdogs Perform 'I Don't Know' on Jimmy Fallon