Maverix, Jr. Gone Wild and Morgen Lefae Live in Edmonton September 11th 2026

 

 Last Friday my buddy Buzzard and I went too the Jr. Gone Wild show at the Rocky Mountain Icehouse here in Edmonton. The main reason for going to this show was to see local cow-punkers Jr. Gone Wild. This would be my 18th time seeing Jr. Gone Wild live, so ya, big fan!

 When I first heard about this show and saw the poster, this looked to be a show with bands from all parts of the world, JGW local act with Maverix from Italy and Morgen Le Fae from Paris. 

 First act of the evening was Morgen Le Fae, who is actually from Calgary, so not sure why the poster said Paris. Morgen plays a roots country folk style of music, joining her on stage was Steve Loree of Jr. Gone Wild. They had a rough start to their set with sound issues which after a few minutes got sorted out. The way her set started, I was not liking it much at all, it was slow mellow very country kind of songs, but the set picked up pace. The guys from Maverix joined her and Steve for a song which sounded great. By the end of her set their were even a few people up and dancing. I ended up enjoying her set.

Morgen Le Fae.

 Next up was Edmonton's Jr. Gone Wild. I was surprised to see them not headlining this show, playing the middle slot. I had the chance to talk to a few of the guys from the band, asking them why this was. It was by choice apparently. Jr. Gone Wild have been together in different forms since 1986, so a veteran band of the Edmonton music scene. And to this day they still kick ass playing their style of cow punk.

 The venue was packed by the time they hit the stage playing a rocking 45 minute set. With Mike McDonald on guitar and vocals, Dove on bass and vocals, Steve Loree on guitar and vocals and rounded out by the newest member who has been with the band since 2020 Quinton Herbert on drums. It seems with his younger enthusiasm the band seems to be reinvigorated with JGW sounding loud tight and rocking as hard as they ever have. The last few times I have seen them live they seem to be bringing in a younger audience which is good to see. Hard to believe it has already been five years since the last JGW album Still Got The Jacket, which in my opinion is one of their best albums. An awesome set, just wish they had played a longer set, they really should have headlined this show.

 The band announced at the show that the Jr. Gone Wild documentary that has been I believe 12 years in the making is finally done (More Miles Than Money: The Story of Jr. Gone Wild) premiering on Sunday November 1st at the Metro Cinema (formerly the Garneau Theatre) tickets available by clicking here. I'm really excited about seeing this film.

Jr. Gone Wild.

Setlist from the show.

 Closing out the show was the three piece band from Italy called Maverix. Their music would be best described as cow punk. Their 2023 album is even called Cowpunk! They were a high energy band with a mix of country and punk sound, hence the cow-punk label, Similar in style to JGW with a mix of Social Distortion. They too were joined by Steve Loree of JGW for a few songs, so ya Steve pulled triple duty on this night. Mike from JGW even called Steve a band slut during JGW's set. I enjoyed their set as well, with the band playing a 45 minute set. All and all a good show. Good times!!!

Maverix.

September 4th

 

 It was on September 4th, 2015 that I saw Edmonton cow-punkers Jr. Gone Wild play the Mercury Room in Edmonton. Opening the show was Lethbridge musician Ryland Moranz.

July 28th

 The ticket stub from the time I saw Corb Lund and Jr. Gone Wild play the Starlite Room in Edmonton on July 28th, 2013. This show was a benefit show for help with the flooding in Southern Alberta at the time.

CJSR Fundraiser : Jr. Gone Wild Live in Edmonton November 8th 2025

  Last Saturday Buzzard, Cuz and I went to the CJSR Fundraiser at the Starlite Room to catch a full evening of music, with a bill of seven bands playing both rooms of the venue, the Starlite Room and the back room called the Temple, all for a good cause, CJSR. CJSR (88.5 FM) is a campus based community radio station based in the Student Unions Building on the University of Alberta campus here in Edmonton.

 We got to the venue early as we wanted to see the first band of the night. And the first band of the night was Edmonton's alt-country band The Denim Daddies. This would be my third time seeing them live. With two EP's and a newer album (Northern Goods) released in March 2024 they now have a good selection of songs to perform. Being the first band of the night on the Starlite Room stage (the main room) the band pretty much played to an empty room, which was a shame, but it didn't stop the band from putting on a good show for those that did get there early. Their brand of country music is a lot of fun. I really enjoyed their short set.

The Denim Daddies.

 The next band up and on the backroom stage the Temple was a four piece instrumental band from Saskatoon called Deep Archive. I had never heard of them before, but damn, they were good, loud and tight. I'm not the biggest fan of all instrumental bands, and after 20 minutes I found myself wishing for some lyrics, they certainly are talented on their instruments playing a punk/grunge style of music. They did end their set with a Bruce Springsteen cover with vocals, I wanna say "Born To Run" but I'm not positive about that, the only song they played that had vocals. Good set.

Deep Archive.

 As soon as their set ended it was back to the main stage for The Uncas. It was back and forth between the two stages all night. One band would end and immediately the next band would start on the other stage. It was hard to find time for a smoke outdoors or some fresh air with the music being non-stop, especially with all the good bands on the bill.

 The Uncas are a whiskey soaked alt-country band from Edmonton. This would be my second time seeing them in concert. the last time was back in 2002 when they opened for Corb Lund. i didn't even realize they still performed. Led by lead singer/guitarist Sean Brewer whom plays in a hell of a lot of bands. They were awesome and one of my favourite bands of the night.

The Uncas.

 Back to the side stage to catch local hardcore punks King Thief. I was really looking forward to seeing this band live. I'd heard lots of great things about them and after streaming some of their music beforehand, I thought they were great, reminding me a lot of the band Hot Water Music. So I was stoked to finally see them, and they didn't disappoint. Though they didn't give me so much of the HWM vibe live, they were still awesome. Being the first time seeing them live, I didn't get all the lyrics like I did listening to their album. They were loud and very high energy live and the crowd had certainly packed the side stage in anticipation of them. The only thing that bothered me about the performance was near the end of the set was when lead singer went of on a rant about the UCP Government and Unions and such. I myself don't agree with everything the UCP or Unions do but I didn't think this was the platform do go on about it. It's a fundraiser show, let it be. As one guy in the audience yelled "just play the music", he took the words right out of my mouth. All and all though, I look forward to seeing them again.

King Thief.

 It was back to the main stage now for  Edmonton singer/songwriter multi instrumentalist Colleen Brown's band Major Love. Major Love is backed up by members of the band Scenic Route To Alaska. her music is a mix of folk and country. This was my chance to get out for a much needed smoke and fresh air.

Major Love.

 Then it was off to the Temple stage to catch the power trio, Toronto's By Divine Right who headlined the side stage. This band was a big draw for me as I do really like them. I'd only seen them in concert once before and that was back in 1999 when they opened for the Tragically Hip. Their set was excellent, lead singer and guitarist Jose Miguel Contreras sounded great and ripped the hell out of his guitar. Another great set by a band I haven't seen in way too long.

By Divine Right.

Now it was time for the headliner of the evening Edmonton's cow-punkers Jr. Gone Wild. This would be my 17th time seeing the band live. so ya, I'm a huge fan, and as always they put on a great show. By the time JGW hit the stage it was getting late and venue had filled up pretty good. Everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves with lots of people dancing and singing along. Another excellent show by these Edmonton musician veterans. A very fun night of music and running into so many people I knew at the show made it even more fun. Good times!!!

Jr. Gone Wild.