Winnipeg-based The Consumer Goods, co-headliners for a show this Sunday at The Merchant Ale House, are deliberately courting controversy. On tour to promote their third album in as many years, The Anti-Imperial Cabaret, the group also took the time to enter one of their songs, the anti-war 'Hockey Night in Afghanada' into the CBC contest to replace the theme music to their flagship hockey broadcast.

Band vocalist Tyler Shipley said the song was written before the launch of the contest, which "couldn't have come at a better time," and was inspired by a Facebook group complaining about the pro-war bias of Coach's Corner commentator Don Cherry.

"Why can't we enjoy hockey without being bombarded by pro-war propaganda constantly and especially from this racist, misogynist bastard that they give a five-minute slot to every week?" he said.

Particularly jarring, Shipley said, are the tributes to Canadian soldiers killed in the country that make no mention of the misery being inflicted on the local population.

"It's not that I have something against them (the troops) as much as I don't appreciate that they are held above everyone else for what they do when what they do is actually very problematic," he said.

The song ultimately did not qualify for the contest but is now making the rounds on YouTube, where it is accompanied by a decidedly crude-looking video.

Shipley said he's proud of the third album because of its catchy sound, which is in direct contrast to its sometimes harsh political lyrics. He said it's a combination that took three albums to get right.

"That jarring aspect of it I really find appealing," he said. "So that's why I try to make the songs as poppy as possible."

Taking the same stage as The Consumer Goods Sunday night will be fellow Winnipeg's Boats, along with Olivier Jarda and Waterbodies. Tickets for the 8 p.m. show are $6.