One day, long time Canadian alternative rocker Mike McDonald suddenly found himself without a band. After 13 years, Jr. Gone Wild retired, choosing oblivion to a slow, undignified demise trying to cope with the band's own history. For McDonald, that left a few unresolved issues, the least of which was that he wasn't bigger than Michael Jackson yet, and was about a million dollars short of being a millionaire. His muse had the most to say however, and whatever it is that drives McDonald just took right over, and so, quite immediately after JGW stopped, he set to forming what is now known as The Mike McDonald Band.

McDonald has assembled a basic rock "power trio" (yes, like Rush and Triumph, but not like Rush or Triumph...). Fans of McDonald's "pigeon-hole defying" country tinged "pop with an edge" will not be disappointed. Fans who were waiting for him to get on to new things will not be disappointed. Fans of his "Fuck off! I'm driving!" rhythm guitar style will not be disappointed (and whether anyone likes it or not, he's still playing harmonica). Fans who were into his singing will not be disappointed. Fans who weren'tinto his singing will not be disappointed. Fans who were into his lyrics will definitely not be disappointed, as well as those who insist on new material. New material is what The Mike McDonald Band is all about. Still as prolific as ever, McDonald has managed to find even more ways to express the inexpressible in a three to seven minute format.

The usual pitfalls and setbacks that plague new bands seem happily absent for The Mike McDonald Band. Before playing their first "official" gig, The Mike McDonald Band appeared in The Alberta Report, See Magazine, and on MuchMusic, and were receiving gig offers from top local venues "sight unseen" (without any kind of solicitation from the band; i.e.-demos, auditions, press kits, begging, etc...) There is a definite buzz about The Mike McDonald Band.

PAUL "DUKE" PAETZ - Usually known as "Duke", Mr. Paetz has been drumming for all kinds of bands in Edmonton's alternative scene as far back as most people can remember. Why, he even did a couple tours of duty with Jr. Gone Wild! He became known nationally as the drummer for Jerry Jerry and the Sons of Rhythm Orchestra during their reign as one of Canadian Campuses' great draws in the late eighties. For The Mike McDonald Band, Duke is a perfect blend of finesse and aggression (he likes Steely Dan, but he likes The Who, too). Mike and Duke's vocals are one of those natural blends, so they get a really cool "whatever you want to call it" thingy going.

SHERRY-LEE HESCHEL - Sherry-Lee has been Mike McDonald's assistant at his myriad jobs in Edmonton for the last year and a half. Far beyond that, her boundless enthusiasm for her art, and her relentless determination to master her instrument make her a much sought after musical commodity around town. She is frequently seen thumping bass with local rooties Hookahman, and is constantly upstaging other bands with a group of her own creation called The Bodkins. Sherry-Lee helped Mike sort out the zillion possibilities and plans for a new band, in the end accepting the position as bass player. Sherry-Lee is a happy person. You can't learn or buy a great attitude like that, so for The Mike McDonald Band, she rounds off some of the cynical edges that had been prevalent in McDonald's work in his JGW days.