When you’re in a band, you want to make sure the public record is correct. Unfortunately, though, you’re often at the mercy of someone else when it comes to creating that record.

First, there’s your publicist and anyone else at your record label dealing with marketing. They issue bios and press releases that seem to indicate that the writer was paid by the word. They fill page after page with flowery language in 10-point font that signifies absolutely nothing. I’ve read many a bio that has told me ZERO about the artist. Frankly, most of them are useless

A site like AllMusic.com does better, but often all the writer has to work with are those official bios and whatever secondary sources are at hand.

Then there’s Wikipedia. Yes, it has its flaws, but for the most part, Wikipedia entries can be very good because editors incorporate information from a vast number of sources, including lots of feature stories and interviews.

In my opinion, though, nothing beats getting every member of the band together in a room at the same time and getting them to tell their own story. That’s hard, given the schedules musicians need to keep, but it can be done with a little persistance .

So pay attention, Wikipedia editors. If you want to make additions and changes to the entry on Arkells, here’s your chance. This week’s show is a conversation between me and all five members of the band. Start taking notes. Here are all the citations you need.

Songs heard on this show (all by Arkells unless otherwise noted):

Only for a Moment

Oh, The Boss is Coming

The Ballad of Hugo Chavez

Pulling Punches

John Lennon

Whistleblower (Live)

If you want a playlist to go along with the show, Eric Wilhite has prepared one.

The Ongoing History of New Music can be heard on the following stations:

We’re still looking for more affiliates in Calgary, Kamloops, Kelowna, Regina, Saskatoon, Brandon, Windsor, Montreal, Halifax, Charlottetown, Moncton, Fredericton, and St John’s and anywhere else with a transmitter. If you’re in any of those markets and you want the show, lemme know and I’ll see what I can do.

If you ever miss a show, you can always get the podcast edition available through Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your on-demand audio.