Funky Junkies

It figures that a rock group called Cowboy Junkies would admire the Velvet Underground. In fact, Michael Timmins and his unrivaled band of siblings—sister Margo sings, their kid brother, Peter, is the drummer, and old friend Alan Anton plays bass guitar—are best known for their version of the V.U. classic "Sweet Jane," a rendition so fine that Lou Reed has ordained it his all-time favorite V.U. cover. Though they've been sharing the same tour van for eight years (not since The Partridge Family. . .) the Timminses have remained harmonious both personally and professionally, and this month marks the release of the Canadian quartet's fifth album, Pale Sun, Crescent Moon (RCA).

"We've grown up with a sense of the strength of the family," Michael explains, "and the band is a further bond." "We haven't turned into the Kinks yet," says Margo at her brother's Toronto home on a cold Canadian morning, referring to rock's most famous feuding brothers. "Certainly there've been songs Michael has given me that I've wondered how I'm going to do," she continues. "But I always think if Mike thinks that I can do this, I guess there's something in me somewhere that I can. And those are usually the songs that I love the best because I know that it took the most out of me. 'Floorboard Blues' is one of them."

"Floorboard Blues," the last song on Pale Sun, ends with the usually demure Margo singing, "It's a fucked up of world but this of girl / Well, she ain't giving in." What did their mother think of Michael's making Margo say that? Margo laughs and admits that Mrs. Timmins told her, "Well! I don't think it's a very nice song."

BILL FLANAGAN