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By Dez Loreen
Northern News Services
Published Saturday, January 10, 2009

INUVIK - Fort Smith rockers State of the Art highlighted the holiday season with a visit back to their roots for shows in Inuvik and Tuk during the holidays last month.

The band was on a mini-tour of the Territories, much like their trip last year for New Year's Eve.

Metalheads Logan Bullock and Corrine Lindsay were in attendance for State of the Art, enjoying the ultra-loud music at the wet dance in Invuik - Dez Loreen/NNSL photo

Drummer Jamie Chabun said the band would have liked to be in town this past summer, but were busy recording for an upcoming album.

The band arrived on the scheduled flight and quickly made its way to the Midnight Sun Recreation Complex to set up for their gig.

Frontman Brandon Kikoak said the band brought up equipment from all over to give Inuvik a real good show.

"We rented some equipment from Yellowknife, some of it is from here in town and we brought some from Fort Smith," said Kikoak.

Chabun said they were excited to be back in their hometown, meeting up with friends and family.

"It's always good to catch up with friends and see family again," said Chabun.

He said it was good to see the town again, even though it was a quick trip.

"It's good to be back in Inuvik" he said.

"We're here to wreck it and leave."

Chabun said it was important for the band to "play in front of the younger crowd.

Chabun said the band was feeling the energy of playing in front of an Inuvik audience again.

"Inuvik is one of those places that receives us well," he said.

"It's going to be fun to go out there and kick some ass with the boys," he said before their show on Friday night.

A typical show takes about three hours to set up for, which includes putting up lights and arranging the stage.

"It could take up to four hours, if we want a sound check," said Chabun.

He said there was a show in Whitehorse that the band set their stage up in a record time of 15 minutes.

"Our bus was really late getting in, so we rushed the stage and were playing for the crowd in 20 minutes," he said.

The band has been together for the past eight years, with the trio of Brandon, Aaron and Jamie playing in the same group since they were teenagers living at home in Inuvik.

"Anybody from Inuvik will remember us from back in the day," said Chabun with a laugh.

"I won’t mention any (of our) band names."

Tickets for the event went on sale weeks prior to the appearance, with vendors like Video Effects promoting the show.

Clerk Corrine Lindsay said the sales for the show were decent, but she thought the timing might have worked against the band.

"I think the ticket sales have something to do with the fact that it's right after boxing day," she said.

Dwayne Drescher was at the concert supporting the band.

"I'm here partying like a rock star, listening to the boys," he said.

"I saw them play last year, I had a blast."

Drescher said he was impressed with the show the band put on for the adult show.

"It's more exciting, they've gotten better, playing more tunes," said Drescher.

"They know what they're doing."

He said it's always a good time when you're with State of the Art.

"I know they play like there's no tomorrow and they party like there's no tomorrow," he said.