The Sheepdogs to release “Changing Colours”

THE SHEEPDOGS–the Canadian-based five-piece guitar-driven rock band–are gearing up for the Friday, February 2 digital release of CHANGING COLOURS, their sixth full-length album, via Dine Alone Records (in the U.S.), and Warner Music (in Canada), with the physical release coming in late February (exact date TBA).The four-time JUNO Award-winninggroup, who graced the cover of Rolling Stone in 2011 when they made history as the first unsigned band to appear on the cover of the famed magazine by beating out 15 other artists in the Choose the Cover contest (Issue 1137), haveexpanded their sound on CHANGING COLOURS, encompassing more styles and hues to enhance their trademark beef-and-boogie twin-axe riffs, hooks, shuffles and long-haired aesthetic.

THE SHEEPDOGS—Ewan Currie (vocals, guitars), Ryan Gullen (bass, backing vocals), Sam Corbett (drums, backing vocals), Shamus Currie(keyboards, trombone) and Jimmy Bowskill (guitars)–deliver passionate music born out of spontaneity on CHANGING COLOURS, their follow-up to 2015’s Future Nostalgia. Opening up the 17-song album is the euphoric “Nobody” alongside the electrifying “Saturday Night” and the driving “I’ve Got A Hole Where My Heart Should Be,” the record’s infectious first single.

“We identify strongly with rock ‘n roll, but there’s definitely some branching out,” says Ewan Currie, the band’s singer, guitarist, songwriter. “The sounds we use on this- there’s more keyboards featuring Shamus and more stringed instruments. It’s still rock ‘n roll but there are more colors.”

THE SHEEPDOGS haven’t only stretched their sonic palate on this new album–they’ve also expanded stylistically, tastefully embracing other genres as well. There’s the country-lite feel of “Let It Roll,” the Stax-soul aura of the mid-tempo anthem “I Ain’t Cool” that features trombone, and the resplendent Latin-rock vibe that fuels “The Big Nowhere.” The CHANGING COLOURS sessions also marked the recording debut of the newest Sheepdog: guitar wiz Jimmy Bowskill, who parachuted into the lineup as a live, last-minute replacement. The band honors Bowskill’s addition with an instrumental tribute to his Bailieboro, Ontario hometown in the folk-flavored “The Bailieboro Turnaround,” part of a six-song medleythat begins with “Born A Restless Man” and concludes with “Run Baby Run.” Medleys, in general, have become something of a SHEEPDOGSsignature.

In support of the album’s release, THE SHEEPDOGS–who’ve toured with Kings of Leon and John Fogerty, performed at Bonnaroo, South By Southwest (SXSW) and Canada’s Bluesfest and appeared on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon–will spend most of February and March on the road touring throughout Canada, making a handful of stops in the United States. Current U.S. tour dates include: February 25 in St. Paul at Turf Club, February 27 in Chicago at Lincoln Hall and February 28 in Detroit at Magic Stick. Look for more U.S. dates to be added soon.

CHANGING COLOURS is a testament of THE SHEEPDOGS’ never-ending desire to follow their muse, become increasingly prolific and deliver thrilling evenings of thundering, organic rock to their devoted audiences.

Track listing for CHANGING COLOURS:

“Nobody”

“I’ve Got A Hole Where My Heart Should Be”
“Saturday Night”
“Let It Roll”
“The Big Nowhere”
“I Ain’t Cool”
“You Got To Be A Man”
“Cool Down”
“Kiss The Brass Ring”
“Cherries Jubilee”
“I’m Just Waiting For My Time”
“Born A Restless Man”
“The Bailieboro Turnaround”
“Up In Canada”
“H.M.S. Buffalo”
“Esprit Des Corps”
“Run Baby Run”