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true stripes

It is surprising there is so much excited chatter about Detroit’s lo-fi sawchords the White Stripes.

It is surprising there is so much excited chatter about Detroit’s lo-fi sawchords the White Stripes.

Their rough and tumble compositions aren’t for everyone.

But, to celebrate its first major Canadian tour and 10th anniversary, the duo is touring every province and territory, including Whitehorse.

“Having never done a full tour of Canada, Meg and I decided to go whole hog,” wrote frontman Jack White on his website. “We want to take this tour to the far reaches of the Canadian landscape. From the oceans to the permafrost.”

And so they’re heading to the Yukon.

As talented as they are, the White’s aren’t mainstream.

Heck, CBC Radio One, in announcing the coming concert, couldn’t even provide a sample of the band’s music.

It took station monkeys a couple of days to rustle up Seven Nation Army, the band’s 2003 hit.

Presumably it was buried somewhere between the station’s exhaustive fiddle collection and compilations of April Wine, Dr. Hook and Trooper.

Still, the town’s atwitter. The noise would almost drown out Black Math’s raucous electronic fuzz.

The White Stripes is one of the biggest international acts to ever hit this burg.

And today, everyone’s a fan — even as they scramble to figure out what’s the Hardest Button to Button.

Everyone’s entitled to buy eight tickets, so they’re expected to go fast. We expect hard-core fans to camp out on Main Street.

Still, there won’t be enough for everyone.

Ticket agents might curb scalping and Johnny-come-lately fans by asking a skill-testing question.

We suggest: Is Meg White Jack’s wife or sister? (RM)