Jason Unrau
Northern News Services

Inuvik (Sep 23/05) - As a working musician, drummer Mike Eyers has played in a lot of bands and with many musicians. Most recently, he's been on the traps for Mark Stevens' band Back Up And Push, currently playing at the Mad Trapper in Inuvik.

Drummer Mike Eyers sits behind the drum kit at the Mad Trapper where he's doing a stint with Back Up And Push, who will open for April Wine Sept. 26 and 27. When the classic rockers hit town, Eyers' father will be on the skins, making the concert a father-son affair. - Jason Unrau/NNSL photo

However, next Monday and Tuesday, Eyers will experience a musical first when the Trapper hosts Canadian classic rockers April Wine. He will get to share the stage with his father Jerry Mercer, the drummer who keeps the beat for April Wine.

"It'll be good to see him," said Eyers. "I'm always running into my dad somewhere through the course of our work so this will be fun."

While father and son share the same vocation, one could say that Eyers hasn't quite matched father Mercer's success in the rock'n'roll spectrum.

At least not yet.

"No, I've never made it," said Eyers with a laugh. "But (my father) has always supported my choices and never given me a hard time."

Already playing in his first professional band at age 15, Eyers was making money behind the drum kit just around the time his father joined April Wine in 1972.

"I can't say it's never gone to his head, but for the most part he's remained down to earth about his success," added Eyers.

"I've made certain decisions in my life and some things took priority over the music."

"And I play guitar and write songs, which my father doesn't, so I can find my own identity that way."

While Mercer will continue on the long and winding road of April Wine's seemingly endless tour after the band's stop in Inuvik, Eyers plans to return to British Columbia and take a business course after his musical stint here.

"Eventually, I want to start a small record label to promote my original stuff and other music I enjoy," he said.

So when they get together, is the talk all music?

"We don't talk shop too much, more politics, religion, the controversial stuff," said Eyers. "We always have healthy debates with each other about different things."

Those interested in hearing some of Eyers original tunes can check out his solo acoustic, which begins at 7 p.m. prior to Back Up And Push's regular nightly start time at 9:30 p.m.

April Wine will play Sept. 26 and 27 at the Mad Trapper.