PRESS
There’s Shame in good, dumb fun
Regina Leader Post Feb 24, 2005
Men Without Shame had nowhere to go but down. The veteran Regina cover act was
on top of the world — literally — during a 10-day CFPSA military tour that took
it to the North Pole during this past holiday season.
In a place where bassist Irvin Fines says temperature is measured on a tiered
scale of “Cold. Really cold. Or f’in cold!” the group’s experience was primarily
with the last of those three.
“The worst day was minus-49,” he recalls, not so fondly. “We ran out in our
underwear and rolled in the snow when it was only minus-31 — that’s called a
‘polar roll’. ”
Participating as part of a tour that also included The Wilkinsons (Men Without
Shame doubled as their backup band), the group’s journey began at CFB Trenton,
Ont. From there, the performers and their equipment boarded a CF-130 Hercules
for a flight which took eight and a half hours and transported them to Thule Air
Base on the northern tip of Greenland. “When you get there it is like being on
the moon,” Fines says. “The plane lands and the vehicles come out to get you,
and the steam is in the air — it’s unbelievable. “Everyone is dressed to the
nuts in arctic gear. It’s actually bearable when you’re wearing the right
stuff.”
Singer Jason Gervais, guitarist Brent Taylor and drummer Rob Green must have
been wondering how Fines got them into this fine mess.
“I remember my first thoughts when we were asked to do the gig,” Fines laughs,
in retrospect. “I was thinking . . . ‘Oh, my. Now I’ve done it.’ I remember
calling the guys and saying, ‘Uh, we've got this gig . . .’
“But going and playing for the troops was an experience of a lifetime. And
getting thanked after by them, having them come up and shake your hand . . . it
was unbelievable. It was rewarding and humbling. Our music got us there. This is
something we could have never done on our own.”
It’s just one more chapter in the 12-year history of a bunch of musicians who
played original material and started Men Without Shame as a lark. If playing
“Roxy Roller” was meant as a joke, the punch line has yet to be unveiled.
According to Fines and his mates, sometimes good dumb fun is still the best
kind.
Band Buys Into Roxy
Saskatoon Star Phoenix November 19, 2004
The legendary party band Men Without Shame has a home away from home. They've
bought into The Roxy On Broadway, and plan to play there as much as possible.
Their first shows are tonight and Saturday. The band started as a lark 10 years
ago when no one was taking 70's rock seriously. But before they knew it, crowds
were digging the show and the band was opening for icons like Cheap Trick, Sammy
Hagar, The Doobie Brothers, Nazareth and many more. Renovations to The Roxy,
formerly The Wash N' Slosh, include new carpet, paint and lights and the removal
of the washing machines. "We are planning to play there a lot and especially on
occasions such as band guy birthdays,"says Jason Gervais, "kinda like Sammy
Hagar and his Cabo Wabo Cantina bar in San Lucas, except ours is in Saskatoon
and the girls are prettier."
Plans are to focus on "fun" rock bands, including tribute bands like Outside The
Wall, in addition to touring acts like Kick Axe and Todd Kerns.
Retro Rock Still Hot ... Regina Leader Post
Minnedosa Classic Rock Weekend Brochure 97