GREG REESE
Arts Editor
Everything is happening all at once for Saskatoon’s Ultimate Power Duo. They are one of Saskatoon’s fortunate few playing the Olympics in Vancouver this year, but for them this has meant much, much more than just jamming in front of world-class jocks.
“To get your own beer is epic in my mind. It was a dream when I was kid,” said ScottRP, vocalist and guitarist from the band.
With a sponsorship from the Paddockwood microbrewery, including a new beer with an Ultimate Power Duo logo emblazoned on its side, ScottRP’s dream is coming true. The trio couldn’t be more exuberant.
“They made a special beer for us,” said ScottRP. “We named and designed the label and we are giving out a free mp3 when you get the beer. It is called Loki after the Norse god. The salmon (on the label) represents his shape shifting. We are hard rockin’ and punchy so I wanted a beer of the same vibe, and lo and behold it turned out pretty good. We started drinking $5 Colt 45s, so it’s a treat to have that reflected.”
A video of Ultimate Power Duo playing inside the Paddockwood brewery is soon to be posted to the Paddockwood website. In the meantime, Ultimate Power Duo is playing a send-off show at Lydia’s Pub on Broadway. Dubbed “Quest for Olympic Gold,” the show (also featuring sonic explorers Foam Lake) will double as a release for Loki beer.
It seems that since acquiring a free all-ages show at Vancouver’s O-Zone, a venue with a 10,000-person capacity, Ultimate Power Duo has had all kinds of good fortune. They have now secured numerous other shows at the Saskatchewan Pavilion at the Olympics and have been sponsored for team jackets and even Ultimate Power Duo gold medals.
“We thought, let’s just see how far we can take this. North star trophies are going to make us gold medals to take with us. The medals look super badass.”¦ We got (our artist friend) Cate Francis to design them,” said ScottRP.
Though they are clearly having a good time lampooning an aspect of their trip to the Olympics, ScottRP also stressed the importance of the event for them.
“Usually when we play Vancouver we are getting stopped by junkies and bums, maybe this time we’ll get stopped by a bobsledder from Norway or something.”
-ScottRP
“It’s possibly the biggest gig that you could play in the world, in a way. And we only started jamming in our basement about five years ago,” said ScottRP. “I mean, we’ll watch the World Cup or something, but are we regular sports fans? No — only sports you can do while you’re drinking, like playing darts. It’s funny that we are playing the Olympics. Who knew you could do the Olympics without being sports fans?”
The Olympics are of course controversial in Canada, and perhaps particularly with artists and musicians. Asked if Ultimate Power Duo had received any criticism or if they themselves had felt any reservations about playing the event, ScottRP dismissed the issue as overblown.
“I heard all the controversy,” said ScottRP. “What isn’t corporate? It’s the corporate sponsors that are paying for our hotels so that we won’t be sleeping on the floor this time”¦. If it’s corporate and it takes us to the next level — it’s working for our benefit. But we are tongue-in-cheek about the whole thing. Our friends think it’s funny, and it is funny — but it’s a great gig.
“This is a way to get in front of new people. We have played Vancouver like seven times to shit crowds.”
Despite all the Olympics hoopla, ScottRP was the most excited about the beer. It will be on tap for the first time at Ultimate Power Duo’s upcoming show at Lydia’s. But, be warned, it comes with an advisory; the beer is 8.7 per cent alcohol and works quickly and efficiently.
“I had three the other night and just slumped over on the couch,” warned ScottRP.
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photo: Barb Reimer
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