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You never know quite what to expect from a Broken Social Scene concert. The band features a rotating lineup of up to 15 musicians, so who's going to be on stage for the Canadian indie collective is always a question.
80/35 organizers know there will be 10 members on stage, and guitarist Andrew Whiteman threw out his best guess: Himself, Brendan Canning, Kevin Drew and Charles Spearin, who are the group's core members. Amy Millan and Evan Crangley of the Canadian band Stars are also in the mix. Beyond that, even Whiteman isn't sure. Sometimes-singer Emily Haines is on tour with Metric, and Leslie Feist, the group's most famous alum, is probably out as well. (Though she did play a surprise show with the band last month. Cross your fingers.)
"Scheduling can be a hassle and a real nightmare," Whiteman said. "In some respects, you could say that's held us back, but people really need their other bands and outlets. On the other hand a lot of bands grind it out so hard they burn out. We're hopefully in this for the long term. Who's coming with us all depends on who's got time."
Whiteman said how a Broken Social Scene show plays out depends on the mood of the crowd. The band members view the group as a "celebratory musical experience," with the ideal result being what Whiteman calls a "psychedelic, indie rock Bar Mitzvah."
Broken Social Scene was recently the subject of a book, written by band friend Stuart Berman, called "This Book is Broken." Whiteman was quick to praise Berman's chronicling of the band over the years, but wasn't thrilled with the book.
"I think the book is a stupid idea, personally. I'm not down with it and I never have been," he said. "The instant nostalgia turns my stomach and I don't think it's necessary. Trying to write something like this with no hindsight or distance is gratuitous and a little self-congratulatory."
Soon the band will be adding a bit more history for Berman to cover. The group has been in Chicago recording a follow-up to its last album, a self-titled 2005 release. Close to 30 tracks have been laid down, with a likely spring 2010 release date. Whiteman expects the band will road-test three of the new songs at 80/35.
