AC/DC See Wide Mouth Weenie

"Brian walked in when we were all in our underwear, about to get in the shower. So we're sitting there, talking to Brian Johnson [of AC/DC], nearly naked. He knocked, walked in and it was just as if we were fully clothed. We just hung out and talked. Saf smacked his shoulder with his wet underwear a couple of times, by mistake and then he left."

I have to admire Shaun Verreault for keeping a straight face while he described how Wide Mouth Mason were introduced to their new temporary bosses.

Though the above may serve as a difficult mental picture to conjure up (but don't let that stop you from trying), it's not a scenario that comes as a complete surprise. Wide Mouth Mason took up opening duties for AC/DC over the better part of April and it only makes sense that the Saskatoon trio would run into the bigwigs at some point.

"Brian was the first to go out of his way to come meet us. He's really really nice, kind of like a little Dave McLean," he says.

The band's interaction with AC/DC hasn't been limited to the exploits of the dressing room, however.

"They take us out for supper all the time, they took us on their private jet... they've got everything, man. They're multi-BILLIONAIRES!" That from drummer Saf Javed.

Me: "Did they take you on a tour? Did they show you the cockpit?"

"They showed it to us..." began bassist Earl "Big Pants" Pereira, but didn't get another word in before Saf's conscience got the better of him. "Not even. We just saw it at the airport."

Me: "Did you see it take off?"

"Not even. I think we were washing the windows."

Perhaps the relationship could use a bit more time in the "nurturing" phase. Finding the three prairie boys nestled in the bosom of rock royalty can't come as a total surprise, given their recent touring schedule. From a headlining tour, they moved to an opening slot for The Guess Who, then there was that Moffatts fiasco and now they've just wrapped up this AC/DC jaunt.

An obvious question, but I had to ask it: what's next?

"Oh man. I don't think anyone's ever opened for The Moffatts and then AC/DC before. We're going to have to do something completely out of left-field."

"Dwight Yoakam?" I suggested.

"Yeah, yeah! Opening for the Phantom Of The Opera or something. Who knows? You can plan ahead all you want, and think that certain things are coming up, then poof, in a second it all changes."

A point made evident enough by the call the band received three days before their first gig with the Aussie rockers, asking them how quickly they could be in Fort Lauderdale. Seems Wide Mouth Mason are quickly gaining a reputation as one of the most reliable Canadian bands for icons to fall back on for support.

"Oh, we're in trouble, we need a band! Better call Wide Mouth Mason," Saf deadpans.

"We're basically the Cinderella of the Canadian rock scene," echoes Shaun.

It's not as if they don't revel in the fact that they are surrounded by legends who contributed to the soundtrack of their youths.

"AC/DC was pretty undeniable growing up in Saskatchewan," explains Shaun. "Humble bush parties and Prince Albert house parties all started with Back In Black."

A sudden look of recollection glazes over Earl's face as he says through a smile; "I saw Shaun... at a high school football pep rally, playing 'Thunderstruck.' That was one of the first times I saw him play."

Denying the days of his long blonde locks, Shaun laughs in remembrance of the night.

"I was playing one-handed, standing on this railing, rocking the pep rally crowd. Then Earl knew I was the guy for his band."

At press time, the boys have finished up their contributions to the world of AC/DC and are back home getting into the "creative process" and looking forward to the upcoming summer festival season.