27 Feb 2026
Gord Downie, The Sadies, and The Conquering Sun: Live At Six
Discovering Downie:
Live at Six
(Gord Downie + The Sadies + The Conquering Sun) — Track-by-Track on Release Day
On launch day, jD reunites with Craig Rogers, Kirk Lane, and Justin St. Louis to break down Live at Six, a newly released live record featuring Gord Downie, The Sadies, and The Conquering Sun. It’s an eight-track collection drawn from four shows (Sarnia, Fredericton, Cambridge, MA, and Dundas) spanning 2012 and 2014.
This episode is a full-on fan-and-musician conversation: play it loud, follow the rabbit holes, and enjoy a record that feels like you’re right up against the stage, even when it was recorded outdoors.
MVP picks, deep cover-song origins, live-record sequencing debates, and a whole lot of gratitude—plus a reminder that sometimes the point isn’t to decode everything. Sometimes it’s just rock and roll.
Episode Highlights
The crew gets back together to cover Live at Six on release day
Why this record feels like a sweaty club even when it isn’t
The meaning behind the title Live at Six (and where “six” actually comes from)
Major rabbit holes (including the story behind “If You Have Ghosts”)
Covers that still sound unmistakably like Gord Downie + The Sadies
Live energy: loose-but-tight, tempo shifts, extended outros, and why that’s part of the magic
MVP picks from each host—plus what track people “need to hear” first
Tracklist Breakdown (as discussed)
1) “If You Have Ghosts” — recorded in Dundas, Ontario (Sept 1, 2012)
Huge reactions to Dallas Good’s performance
Deep dive into Rocky Erickson and the song’s backstory
Why the lyric “If you have ghosts, you have everything” hits so hard
2) “So Sad About Us” — Sarnia (Aug 30, 2014) — a The Who cover
Noted for harmonies and a vibe that recalls early rock/pop influence
Discussion of how naturally it sits in Gord’s wheelhouse
3) “It Didn’t Start to Break My Heart” — (live version discussed as an all-time banger)
Faster than the studio version; jam section praised heavily
Described as completely over-delivering as a live performance
4) “Grey Riders” — Fredericton, New Brunswick (Sept 12, 2014) — Harvest Jazz & Blues Festival — a Neil Young song
Strong praise for backing vocals and arrangement
Conversation about preferring this version vs. the one they heard from Neil
5) “Generation” — Fredericton (Sept 12, 2014) — a Fucked Up cover
Album title reference comes from Gord speaking right before/around this track (“at six o’clock”)
Note: the group didn’t have as much time with this track due to a file miss
6) Cambridge, Massachusetts set (May 3, 2014) — a track originally by The Gun Club (from Fire of Love, 1981)
Described as the most “Sadies-sounding” song on the record
Talk of punk lineage and guitar swagger
7) “Demand Destruction” — revisited live (from the Sarnia show)
jD’s MVP: the live performance hits harder than the studio version
Favorite lyric noted: “Breakdown in the verse part / Dead spot in the lyrics…” (songwriting “fourth wall” moment)
8) “I Gotta Right” — The Stooges cover (closing track)
Described as a “punch in the face” closer
Leaves everyone wanting more; debate about wishing the album was longer
Justin mentions being disappointed it wasn’t “Search and Destroy” (also performed by Gord + The Sadies in other live clips)
MVP Picks
Craig: “If You Have Ghosts”
Kirk: “Grey Riders” (and says “I Gotta Write” is the one people need to hear)
Justin: “It Didn’t Start to Break My Heart”
jD: “Demand Destruction”
Production Credits (as stated on the episode)
Mixed by Ken Friesen (all tracks) except “Goodbye Johnny”
“Goodbye Johnny” mixed by Dallas Good and Guillermo Sabatze
Mastered by Philip Shaw Bova
Timestamps (approx. from transcript)
0:49 — Welcome + what Live at Six is + who’s on the mic
3:36 — Release context: 4 shows, 2012/2014, where the recordings come from
9:14 — Track 1: “If You Have Ghosts” deep dive begins
21:57 — Track 2: “So Sad About Us” (The Who cover)
33:11 — “It Didn’t Start to Break My Heart” (live version reaction)
38:27 — “Grey Riders” (Neil Young)
43:54 — Side B + “Generation” (Fucked Up) + title explanation
51:07 — Cambridge, MA track (The Gun Club origin discussed)
55:26 — “Goodbye Johnny” (live vs studio)
59:11 — Closer: “I Gotta Write” (The Stooges) + credits
1:09:24 — MVP picks
1:17:41 — Final thoughts + gratitude + community + live music plug
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