Hittin' town from the Underground.

By Jim Overton of Chesterfield Inlet

Maritime music scene. There…I said it. Now you're probably thinking like I am about fiddles, celtic harps, and sea shanties. Now shake your head and forget I said maritime. Not easy but I'll trust you on this. Music scenes like on the east coast of Canada are intense. Not publicized all that well but intense none the less. The fact that the 2002 ECMA's were held there is an indication of the strong pulse of music that beats through that region. You may be familiar with names like Sloan and Crush but have you ever heard of Bruce Guthro? Male Artist of the Year Bruce Guthro? It's not my style of music personally but the guy has chops and you have to respect where he's coming from.More than the polished chrome of the music industry, the real engine behind bands like Sloan are the independents like the Hill Brothers Blues Band, Grand Theft Bus, and Chesterfield Inlet. They're out there every night, sweat flying off them as they burn under the spotlights and play as if it were the end of the world tomorrow. They don't do a lot of covers, just enough to pay the bills so they can work on their own stuff. Be original or be dismissed. Simple as that. A thousand bands a year form and break up in the maritimes. Fresh sounds abound in the underground. From the basement to the bar to the music festival and beyond. Nothing matters to these musicians except playing. Just get out there and have fun…try not to poke an eye out. Those music journalists, critics, aficianados, and other desperadoes should put an ear to the ground and check that sound…check..check…

Jim Overton, percussionist for Saint John band Chesterfield Inlet.