Daron Letts
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (July 27/05) - Winnipeg's Tangerine Taxi played their opening set at the Gold Range on Tuesday of last week. They bombed.

Jason Kirkness and Josh Ayers keep their sense of humour as they load up their van in front of the Gold Range following their Saturday night set.

Owner Richard Yurkiw fired the four-piece band on Thursday, cancelling their month-long gig. He didn't blame the musicians, citing a miscommunication with their agent.

"They weren't prepared to commit to this room," he said. "But they're a young band and I didn't want to discourage them so we had them finish the week. We'll certainly bring them back when they're ready next year."

The band played through to Saturday, picking up more energy every night.

"We divided the room, I think," said lead singer Jason Kirkness, who heads the band and organizes the road tours. "Half the audience went wild and had a great time and the other half, well, left."

Right before leaving for Yellowknife, the band's guitarist of almost two years, Ryan Shaw sent an e-mail that read: "Not going to Yellowknife."

Shaw was the one who could adapt fiddle parts to guitar, expanding the rock and roll group's country repertoire. He was replaced two weeks ago with Sonny Margolis. Yurkiw said that the last minute change contributed to his decision.

"I'm in no way disappointed by this experience and there are no hard feelings," Kirkness said. "Based on Tuesday night, I would have fired us, too."

The Tone Rangers, featuring brothers Ted and Gus Mildenberger with Bobby Bouvier and Jeff Molner, took over the Gold Range stage this week. They'll play until the end of the month. Gold Range favourites, Welders Daughters, will arrive on Aug. 2 for an extended six-week gig.