Here's an excerpt from Peter North's country music column in the Saturday, February 17 Edmonton Journal. The original title was "McDonald's new band ready for the Grinder."

Mike McDonald has emerged from the rehearsal hall with his new crew and is giving everyone ample opportunity to catch his namesake quartet at a number of venues.

On Monday, the driving force behind the late Jr. Gone Wild played a set at The Sidetrack for the ongoing New Music Night for a healthy-sized crowd largely comprising longtime fans. Friday night, the band took over the City Media Club.

Tonight, McDonald plays The Grinder with his new compadres who combine for an interesting musical and, for that matter, visual experience.

If McDonald's latest incarnation must be labelled, it's a rootsy rock mix with a country edge when it comes to the instrumental thrust.

McDonald sang with a lot of authority and emotion, but this observer wishes he'd take time to work on his enunciation a bit as some of his interesting observations become blurred from time to time.

Along with originals like the sneering Concepts of God that kicked off the set, McDonald pulled out a hot version of The Hand of Magdelana from the now-defunct band, Lowest of the Low, as well as the cynical but humorous Jerry Jerry tune, Dumb Love.

With ex-Jerusalem Ridge founder Dave Wright on board, McDonald is guaranteed of having some great harmonies and background vocals on choruses. The rhythm section of original Jr. Gone Wild drummer Paul ``Duke'' Paetz and Sherry-Lee Heschel on bass kept their end uncluttered and steady for the most part although, as to be expected, there are still kinks to work out given the band has only been together for two months.

``I was flying by the seat of my pants on a couple of tunes,'' said Wright who was a bit tentative a couple of times while taking solos.

``After playing acoustic with Jerusalem Ridge for five years, I'm basically learning to play electric all over again,'' added the man who was opening up shows in this city for acts like The Byrds when most of his bandmates were still in play school.