The Ball Gag N’ Chain Gang have some big plans for their return to Lethbridge as part of the Prairie Folk Tournament, March 15.
Founding member Steve Craik, last seen in Lethbridge playing trombone and leaping around the stage wearing red body length long underwear, promises a different show and the complete band as only a few of the band members played the Owl in January.
“It was a lot of fun, but we found out the hard way it was too hot. We didn’t know what to expect. We’re not going to do that again,” he said adding it was literally too hot as they found out when premiering the show in Calgary.
This time they will be the highlight of the third annual Prairie folk festival at the Slice featuring Kory Istace vs. the Time Pirates and the Grain Report.
Hurtin”, Rob Ursel and Rancho Deluxe play Saturday night at the Slice as part of the festival.
Victoria based The Ball Gag N’ Chain Gang, were a highlight of the South Country Fair a couple years ago. They have played a several fun-filled shows in Lethbridge, blending elements of jazz, bluegrass, country and assorted weirdness and even a didgeridoo into a genre all their own they have dubbed Ho Tonk.
But before they come to Lethbridge they are playing a couple shows around home with soul/ funk band High Society and redneck burlesque dancer Shirley Gnome.
“It should be a lot of fun. We have a lot of respect for them,” he continued.
They are looking forward to their tour.
“We’ll have a couple new original songs. And every show will be a St. Patrick’s Day show, so we’ve added a few Irish songs to our repertoire. Not to give anything away, but it should be a little different,” he continued.
“We have a new song called ‘Mission’ about the worst gig we ever played and we’ve added some Dire Straits and there’s lots of banjo,” he continued.
While they don’t have a new Cd in the works yet, they are working on a new video for “White Guy Dance Party,” a highlight off their latest CD “Bang.”
