GREG REESE
Arts Editor

Attack in Black is currently playing five shows with the legendary Canadian folk-rocker Julie Doiron before meeting up with Toronto’s One Hundred Dollars to continue their tour. However, this interview with guitarist Spencer Burton took place while he walked his dog in his hometown of Welland, Ont., relaxing before the tour took off.

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More and more it becomes clear to me that collaboration and community are key to success in the Canadian music industry.

Attack in Black have put this notion into practice and have made some interesting friendships over the course of their burgeoning career, the collaborative results of which are ours to enjoy. Though Attack in Black are touring without a new album to promote (the demos are still in the works), the band has been keeping busy in many ways — establishing themselves as mainstays in the Canadian music scene.

Not the least of their accomplishments has been the establishment of their own record label, You’ve Changed Records.

“Dan and Ian started (the label) with our friend Steve Lambke of Baby Eagle fame,” said Burton. “They just put out good records: the Shotgun Jimmie record, Still Jimmie, our split with Baby Eagle and the Daniel, Fred and Julie record (which features tour mate Julie Doiron). Dan and Ian just plan to keep putting out good stuff that they hear.”

Attack in Black’s love affair with Shotgun Jimmie — who first gained notoriety playing with Julie Doiron in Shotgun and Jaybird — represents another bond that runs as deep and historic as the watery depths of lake Ontario.

“We just went up to Hamilton a week ago and played a show with him,” said Burton. “Just whenever you’re available and able to play with Shotgun, it’s great.”

The collaboration between these artists has been extremely fruitful and will surely continue in the coming years. Attack in Black are the backing band for the album Still Jimmie.

“It was weird. We just stumbled across Shotgun Jimmie’s music and fell in love. We asked him if he would tour with us. He said, ”˜Sure, but I don’t have a band. Can you play as my band?’ Then we met Julie through him,” said Burton, before getting distracted by his dog licking a nearby pole.

“Isn’t it weird when dogs just lick pee?” Burton inquired. “It weirds me out. My dog Bucky, he sees it and gives it a little taste, and then he does a jaw shudder. He just really likes it. Maybe he knows something we don’t. Sorry, that’s gross.”

By now Attack in Black has played a number of shows in Saskatoon, not the least of which was the infamous Halloween show at Amigos with Ladyhawk. The night featured a wild set by Attack in Black who played mainly Ramones covers, and then ended the night jamming on Neil Young with Ladyhawk.

“Yeah that is true. I think so”¦” said Burton. “No, it definitely happened. It might have been on the Shotgun Jimmie tour. We did like five Ramones songs — we wanted to do that whole set (of Ramones covers).”

If spontaneity and authenticity are absolutely fundamental to rock music then Attack in Black has got it cased. But the best aspect of Attack in Black is simply the music itself. The sound is uncanny. Like all lasting rock bands, they manage to sound original, while, at the same time, reminiscent of the great music of the past.

“We listen to everything under the sun. We all listen to the same stuff, but different stuff too. I stick to music that most people think sucks: I really like Kris Kristofferson and Peter, Paul and Mary; also, Elizabeth Cotton, she was Pete Seeger’s nanny — she’s unbelievable. But we listen to a little of everything. Like last year, we just kept popping on NOFX’s Ribbed, just over and over again. “

Because this article was written before Attack in Black played Amigos, various tactics were discussed as I scrambled to figure out an angle on this story. Burton ventured some help.

“I can just say it right now”¦ like, it was an amazing show! No, I shouldn’t do that, it’s dishonest. But it will definitely be a good night.”

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