Brian Byrne thinks the scheduling is "kind of funny."

In a strange twist at this year's Calgary Stampede, I Mother Earth is playing the Coca-Cola Stage tonight at 8:30 p.m., just 24 hours before the group's former lead singer Edwin brings his solo show to the same venue.

"That's actually happened a bunch of times this year at different events," says singer Byrne, who replaced Edwin two years ago.

"At some point, you think: 'Who the hell is doing this and why are they doing this?' I'm sure Ed is thinking the same thing."

Indeed, it's akin to inviting two bickering ex-spouses to the same party. Byrne, for one, can't resist pointing out which act is going to put on a better show this weekend.

"I don't want to sound mean or anything like that because it actually doesn't bother me," he says, "but (Edwin) has got a tough act to follow if he wants to play the night after us in Calgary.

"I know at this point he actually does old I Mother Earth stuff and, honestly, nobody plays like these guys."

Maybe, but the two parties' fortunes have gone in opposite directions since the split.

Edwin's debut solo record, Another Spin Around The Sun, has gone platinum in Canada, selling more than 100,000 copies.

Meanwhile, I Mother Earth's first album with Byrne, Blue Green Orange, has sold less than half of that. But Byrne, 24, says he and his bandmates -- guitarist Jag Tanna, drummer Christian Tanna and bassist Bruce Gordon -- are looking on the bright side.

"Basically, this is a band with a new frontman and, in most instances, those bands fail miserably. I don't think we've failed," he says.

"Once people get over (Edwin's departure), it'll certainly make a difference.... The next albums will be bigger, better and stronger."

The heavy, prog-influenced rock quartet have been feeling upbeat since returning from a successful tour of Germany, where they played clubs with The Matthew Good Band.

And Byrne is looking forward to returning to the Calgary Stampede. He previously visited The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth in 1993, when the Newfoundland native was living in Banff.

"I was there as a drunk bystander," Byrne laughs.

Will he be sober this time?

"I would say the whole time leading up to and until after the show, we'll be absolutely, 100 percent sober. However, a couple hours after the show, there's no telling what might happen because I think we all need to blow off a little steam. And I actually do want to take a walk around, go on some rides, see some stuff."