Proving that humans can be more than just greedy, rotten, and stupid, Minto holds a fundraiser for the Salvation Army’s Adopt-a-Family program at the Railway Club on December 9 with friends Jody Glenham, A Pale Blue, and Aunts and Uncles. “Minto Saves Christmas” marks the sixth time the local indie rockers have held the event, which has raised more than $5,000 over the years. Amazingly, guitarists Evret Tucker and Kalvin Olafson even turn up to cook a meal at the adopted family’s home. Why are these people so nice? Is it good parenting?

“Maybe it’s the alcohol that gives us such a warm glow,” vocalist Ryan Hoben mused to the Straight. “But I just like the idea. It’s too expensive for me to fly back to New Brunswick, and I get a little Christmassy. It’s in the spirit of the season and all that crap.” This isn’t Minto’s only foray into common human decency. Six years ago the band tried to pitch a TV series called The Help Show, in which—you guessed it—they would help people. “It was hard to get our shit together for that one,” Hoben recalled. “What we did was put out posters all over the place saying, ’Do you need help doing anything? Give us a call!’ It was a sweet idea, but it didn’t pan out.”