Noisemakers 2000: Rock trooper

>> Woody Whelan is on a roll with Mag Wheel Records

By JOHNSON CUMMINS

Mag Wheel Records head honcho Woody Whelan is sitting across from me taking well-earned pulls off of his Heineken ("Boreal? I refuse to drink that shit"). He's just come in from the bitter cold with fresh glue dripping from his fingers after a good night of last-minute postering for the Chino record launch. Postering for his bands is only one of the thankless tasks this trooper of rock has to go through when trying to run his own label.

A typical day for Woody is chasing down distributors for late payments, trying to get his releases reviewed, sending off press releases and just plain baby-sitting his bands. "What makes it all worthwhile is when the first shipment of CDs comes in and you can hold the new release in your hand. After that it's just like a bubble that bursts and it's back to hassling distributors for money they owe you. But I wouldn't be doing it if it wasn't worth it."

With over 28 releases to date, Whelan and partner Derek Sheplany have set their sights high with more releases than ever for 2000. The first is a compilation of Montreal bands called Space Age Air Raid (a name he lifted from the 1984 Montreal compilation Primitive Air Raid) to be released in early spring. "Even when I was living in Newfoundland I always followed the Montreal music scene closely," says Woody. "In fact, I think I know more about the Montreal music scene than a lot of people who were born here. And I've been lucky enough to somewhat become a part of it by releasing some of my favourite Montreal bands--Tricky Woo, the Nils, Sackville. It's a real labour of love. Maybe one day I'll put out a record that will make me rich. But if I don't, that's okay too." l