Karen Mackenzie
Northern News Services
Published Monday, July 07, 2008

IQALUIT - An Iqaluit-based band, The Jerry Cans, has written all the songs for its upcoming CD, which will be released in mid-August.

The Jerry Cans comprises three well-known local performers, Brendan Doherty, Andrew Morrison and Steve Rigby.

The boys said they have been performing together for "too long," and are excited for the recording of their upcoming CD.

"Steve taught me how to play a Metallica song on the guitar in Grade 8," said Andrew Morrison.

Morrison, 21, plays lead guitar. He is currently enrolled at the University of Trent and is involved with several bands. Along with the guitar, Morrison plays many other instruments, including piano, mandolin and accordion.

The Jerry Cans are former members of Iqaluit rock group Ivory Hail in 2002.

In 2005, while members of Ivory Hail were attending various universities, Doherty, Morrison and Rigby teamed up with classmates to form another rock band, What the Shit?! What the Shit?! toured the East Coast in 2007, performing in each capital city as well as small towns.

In the short period of a year, the band played more than 70 shows and recorded a CD.

With experience up their sleeves, Doherty, Morison and Rigby decided to create yet another band.

While practising for a Legion performance, the boys created a drum set out of jerry cans.

"It sounded terrible," Morrison said laughing. The drum set sparked a name for the new band.

"Things came out of nowhere when we were jamming," drummer Steve Rigby said.

Rigby, who has been playing instruments since the age of 13, is an electrical apprentice in Iqaluit and enjoys playing music in his spare time.

Like Morrison, Rigby can play several instruments, including drums and harmonica.Rigby feels music is an important activity for people living in the North.

"Growing up, music was our fun," Rigby said.

This year, the band members will go their separate ways, however it will not stop them from continuing to record and play music together.Their upcoming CD will be recorded in collaboration with Doyle Entertainment.

In the meantime, The Jerry Cans can be seen performing shows all summer at the Legion.