Just off the plane from a trip to New York, where he finally got to meet his idol Les Paul, guitarist John-Angus MacDonald of The Trews says he can't wait to play the Stampede.

Their second time here -- the Canadian rockers from Niagara Falls played Nashville North last year -- MacDonald says their show last year was one they won't soon forget.

"There was this horrible storm," says MacDonald, adding the band's set was delayed for over two hours.

"I heard we sold more booze at that show than any other band. So us being from the East Coast, we were pretty proud of that."

The band's first album House of Ill Fame, released in 2003, sent the group into a tailspin full of non-stop touring, ever-increasing popularity and moments of notoriety.

"It's been an exciting couple of years, and we're just ready to keep the ball rolling."

And MacDonald's love for our Calgary Flames comes shining through when asked what stands out in the realm of high points.

The Trews played the NHL awards shortly after the Flames made their incredible run at Lord Stanley.

"We were all going for the Flames so hard," says MacDonald.

While at the awards he met Jarome Iginla and coach Darryl Sutter, something he ranks right up there with meeting an idol of his who shares his love -- and talent -- for six-stringed instruments: Slash from Velvet Revolver and Guns 'N Roses.

The band's hit single Not Ready To Go from House of Ill Fame was announced as the most-played rock song in Canada last year, something MacDonald says took them completely unaware.

"That's something we never banked on happening," he says.

The Trews, who have a new album due out in August, play the Stampede's Coca-Cola Stage tonight at 9:30.