Sheepdogs: The Modern Torchbearers of Classic Rock

The Sheepdogs are a Canadian rock band celebrated for reviving the warm, guitar-driven sound of 1970s classic rock for a modern audience. Hailing from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, the group achieved a major milestone in 2011 by becoming the first unsigned act to grace the cover of Rolling Stone magazine, which catapulted them to international attention and led to significant chart success in their home country.

Early career

Formed in 2006, the Sheepdogs built their reputation the old-fashioned way through relentless touring across Canada, honing a bluesy, harmony-rich sound. Their self-released early albums, including Try It Out (2006) and The Sheepdogs' Big Stand (2008), established a loyal grassroots following and caught the ear of independent label Hidden Pony Records, which re-released their material.

Breakthrough

The band's watershed moment arrived in 2011 when they won Rolling Stone's "Choose the Cover" contest, beating thousands of competitors. This victory secured them a major label deal with Atlantic Records and directly fueled the success of their self-titled album The Sheepdogs, which debuted at No. 1 on the Canadian Albums Chart and was certified Platinum.

Key tracks

I Don't Know — This anthemic single was a centerpiece of their Rolling Stone cover campaign and became a staple on Canadian rock radio.

The Way It Is — A laid-back, Southern rock-infused track that highlights their signature three-part harmonies and earned extensive radio play.

Feeling Good — A later single that showcases their evolving songcraft, reaching the top of the Canadian rock charts and achieving Gold certification.

Who? — This hard-rocking track from their Platinum-selling album exemplifies their gritty, dual-guitar attack and retro vibe.

Following their breakthrough, the Sheepdogs continued to solidify their status with well-received albums like Future Nostalgia (2015) and Changing Colours (2018), the latter earning a Juno Award for Rock Album of the Year. They have collaborated with legendary producers like Patrick Carney of The Black Keys and have maintained a consistent presence on the Canadian rock charts with subsequent releases, including 2022's Outta Sight.

Fans of the Sheepdogs' throwback guitar rock and vocal harmonies should also explore other Canadian acts like Monster Truck for their similar high-energy, blues-rock approach. The melodic sensibilities of Sloan share a clear lineage with the Sheepdogs' harmonic pop-rock. For a heavier take on classic rock revival, try The Glory Hounds. The rootsy, guitar-focused work of Whitehorse also explores a vintage-inspired sonic palette.

The Sheepdogs' music is a fixture on classic rock FM stations and alternative rock radio stations across North America, where their timeless sound fits seamlessly between legendary acts and contemporary rock bands. Their catalog receives regular rotation on online rock radio streams dedicated to guitar music, ensuring their songs reach both dedicated fans and new listeners daily.

Listeners can discover the authentic classic rock sound of the Sheepdogs by tuning into the many independent music radio stations and curated rock channels available right here on onairium.com, where their hits and deep cuts are played regularly.