Pitchfork Media called The Constantines, aka Horsey Craze, aka The Constantines debut album "perfect," and their follow up Shine A Light was the must-have album of that year in Toronto. Ryan McLaren talked to Doug MacGregor about luck and life and to Steve Lambke about music in the city.

While going on this ride of popularity, have you ever felt that maybe you've taken the wrong path? Or do you feel the opposite? Doug MacGregor: Yes and no. Mistakes, yes. Wrong path, no. I guess it all depends on what you call the wrong path. For this guy, the wrong path begins and ends with "let's do this one funky."

Do you feel lucky? DM:Since about age nine, yes.

Do you see where you are now in life, the good and the bad, as a matter of destiny, or chance or focused determination? DM: A little bit of luck, a lot of work, a lot of fun, and lots of love.

What are some things that you are currently hoping to achieve? DM: Well, by the time we play this show, we should be about half way through recording a new record, so that's about all that's on my mind these days. So, a new record in 2005 is about it.

What's something you get excited about? DM: Spring.

I heard that the first Constantines show was at Wavelength four years ago. If that's true, how does it feel to be headlining one of the Anniversary nights? Steve Lambke: Wavelength was not our first show. I just checked the archives, and it was around our 30th show as a band. Nevertheless, of course we're excited! To call it an institution would drain the fun from it, but Wavelength is what it is, and it's a great thing, a great night. It's impossible to imagine the thriving Toronto indie scene without it. I'm super excited we're playing the anniversary. I'm excited that we're playing with The Creeping Nobodies again. All the shows are going to be great. We're going to be in the studio on the tenth, but I'm going to make it to Cinecycle. Save me a spot in the pit for the Lullabye set. That'll be me drunkenly screaming for "All I Can Give Ya."

You're opening up for the Weakerthans on a new tour, right? How did that come about? SL: We toured with them in the American southwest in late 2003 and really hit it off musically and personally. After a couple of shows together last fall on the way home from the Pop Montreal Festival we got each other excited about the idea of a coast to coast Canadian tour. It's a LONG tour. We're hoping for good weather. The Weakerthans are a great band, and the idea is that we'll be playing with some of the best bands across the country. It's going to be fun.

What music are you listening to these days? Are there any new or upcoming bands that are pIQUing your interest? SL: We just did a ten-day tour in the states with Oakley Hall, which is the new band fronted by Papa Crazee who used to play in Oneida. When they make it up here sometime, you all have to check it out. My favourite bands in town these days are Brutal Knights, The Bicycles, and the Sea Snakes (have you heard their cover of "It Makes No Difference"? Holy holy!). Nathan Lawr. Nate, I love you, I'm sorry I was screaming for "Spanish Armadas" through your whole set at the El Mocambo, but I really love that song. And, of course, the almighty Lullabye Arkestra. I've been listening obsessively to that song "Sloppy Ground" off the most recent Silt record. I love Andre Ethier's record, and the Ghost Story record, and I think when the new Deadly Snakes record comes out it's going to be all over. In a good way. I realize that most of these bands aren't "new" or "upcoming" but what can I say? I don't get out enough.

What's your favourite city/town in Canada? SL: Dude, Toronto. But, there are a lot of great towns in this country. I've become oddly and unexpectedly patriotic in the last few years. Maybe it's all that Gordon Lightfoot. St. John's, Halifax, Montreal, Winnipeg, Edmonton, Dawson City.

BY RYAN MCLAREN