GREG RESSE
Arts Editor

“It could be the party to end all parties, quite literally,” said Jeff Pederson, the drummer for the Fjords and the mastermind of what has become one of Saskatoon’s favourite holiday debacles: Band Swap.

Initially, Pederson had only a half-baked idea to take over a local punk band’s house and throw a songwriting party. Now in its fourth year, Band Swap has developed a peculiar life of its own, existing as a combination of love-in, incestuous reunion and a short-shorts wearing, cover-band making, fundraiser bash.

“The Junto house used to have a jam space downstairs, and I always wanted to have a party there and get people to make up a song during the night. Eventually, it was discussed at a bar with S.J. (Bloodlines, Violent Kin) and Elsa (We Were Lovers) and all these other people — it seemed like everyone in Saskatoon was there that night, for some reason. We thought, ‘Why don’t we do it at Amigos?’ ” said Pederson.

The rules of the game
By noon on Dec. 19, potential participants must email bandswap.sk@gmail.com, in a race for one of 35 highly contested spots in the fourth annual Swap. Then, on the night of Dec. 30, participants gather for booze and burritos at Amigos, throwing their names and their suggestions for cover songs into a hat. Bands and cover songs are randomly drawn from the hat.

That evening and the following day is used for writing an original tune and learning the covers assigned to a given band. Clearly, this is complex and damn serious business.

“It is highly competitive for the 35-ish slots. So, on a specific day, the first 35 to register are in,” said Alison Whelan, who, along with Mairin Loewen, does most of the organizing for Band Swap.

“Six or seven bands are created with five people in each group. They have 24 hours to prepare. Everyone brings as many suggestions as they want for covers. Each band has a 15 or 20 minute set, but they can medley the songs together if they want to; it’s flexible.”

In actuality, there are only a few set rules for the game, but Pederson stated that a few things were fundamental to making it fun and successful.

“You need that evening off and all the next day off,” said Pederson. “But if you want to sign up, you don’t have to be a musician. The original idea was that no one could play (his or her) original instrument so that everyone would feel comfortable. But it never happened that way. Still, I try not to play any drums when I’m there; it is the only time I get to play bass or guitar, and I actually get a microphone!“

Getting rowdy for charity
From its inception, Band Swap has been a charity fundraiser for the Crisis Nursery in Saskatoon. During the initial planning of the first Band Swap, Steve Reed, then front man of Carbon Dating Service, pushed for Crisis Nursery. Reed had worked there and understood the significance of the facility for Saskatoon.

“It’s a great cause and they do great work. Plus, they rely on people like us to raise money for them,” said Whelan.

This year is unique in that all the funds raised will go to a specific program at the Crisis Nursery: a nutrition program aimed at education and bringing in quality food like vegetables, fruits and whole grain breads.

“As it has become a more high profile event, we are looking for a way to increase profits. I mean, only so many people can fit into Amigos,” said Loewen.

For those who wish to donate goods at the door, suggested donations include diapers, wipes, jarred baby food, formula, winter clothing, bike helmets and medical supplies.

“It’s the one fundraiser that shouldn’t be for children that is for children. The short-shorts alone are totally inappropriate,” said Pederson in jest.

A little too much fun
“Since it began, it has stayed somewhat the same, except people actually want to do it now,” said Pederson. “I didn’t know if anyone was going to play the first year. Mairin and I were planning it and we had to go around the night before begging people to do it. In retrospect, I can’t believe Amigos let us do it. Mairin called (booking agent) Brandt, telling him, ‘We’re going to put this show on and we don’t really know what’s going to happen.’ ”

Loewen corroborated Pederson’s story on the shaky origins of Band Swap.

“The first year we didn’t really know if it would be fun or if people would want to do it for more than one year. Now it’s been cemented as something fun. So, this year it’s going to be on New Year’s, which is a bit of a gamble,” said Loewen.

Anyone who has been to Band Swap has a favourite song or moment chosen from amongst the feast of ridiculousness. Jim Ginther’s short-shorts are so iconic that this is the third mention of them in this article alone.

Anyone who has been to Band Swap has a favourite song or moment chosen from amongst the feast of ridiculousness.

“Jim Ginther’s showmanship last year was quite impressive vis-à-vis ‘Gypsy Lady,’ an original composition of his which had limited lyrical content. He also did push-ups into a bowl of whiskey,” said Loewen.

But what is it about bad music and bad taste that makes it so good?

“It’s watching your friends make total asses of themselves, like trying to play a song and failing miserably. They are playing it, but only well enough that you can recognize it — it’s terrible,” giggled Pederson, displaying the strange joy that only campy rock songs played badly can give.

“It’s a night when, as a performer, you put your ego aside. The purpose is to meet new people, make musical connections,” added Whelan. “I’ve heard people’s old parents say that the energy in the room is pretty zany — lots of enthusiastic people, and all the ex-pats are back for Christmas, so there are lots of drunken smiling faces.”

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image: Liam Richards