Shift 7

It's amazing what an ambitious band can do in a short time. Shift 7 came together in March, has played a few gigs around town and has begun to plan an album. What is really striking is that the musicians weren't even supposed to be a band! The Empress Theatre – June 5th, 2004 (Moncton NB)

"We've been in bands before that, but a year and a half ago we were going to start selling songs," says J.P. Savoie of himself and songwriting cohort Marco Bertolin. The two singer/guitarists were going to try to sell their country-flavored songs to anyone from here to Nashville. The duo asked known Moncton drummer Jeff Cormier to drum for them this past March, and asked singer and guitarist Jason Wells to play bass for them, something he's never played. He gave it a shot and the group got together. Quickly, the four veterans realized they had something cooking. "They're kind of country-like, and I kind of put my spin on it," says Cormier. The band developed a harder rocking sound and decided to stick together. The name Shift 7 came from a bank of names Savoie and Bertolin had. "They had a list of like 100 names, with names like Shifty Eyed Moses," Cormier says with a laugh.

A few gigs around town, including one with Peter Post, have gained Shift 7 some notoriety.
"The response has been crazy," Cormier says. They've been asked for CDs at each show, but the band doesn't have one yet. Cormier, who just finished a new home studio, says it is something they are planning and hope to have out by Christmas.
"I'm not charging my own band," Cormier says of his studio, "so we can take our time." Savoie and Bertolin are still the principle songwriters in the band. They bring their lyrics to Wells and Cormier and the band tweaks it a bit. Savoie says the Shift 7 tunes are a lot heavier than when they were originally written, though the guitarists have stuck with acoustic guitars instead of electric. He says his song ideas don't come from personal experiences. "People say everyday stuff, but for me it's just stories in my head, little anecdotes. It's not normally about any specific relationships or experiences." Cormier says he is loving the tunes so far and enjoys playing with this band, along with Urban Myth, his other band. "I just want to get out as much music as possible," he says. "None of us have rock star dreams." The two bands have a double-header gig lined up for this Saturday at the Right Spot. Cormier is pulling double duty, but he doesn't seem to mind. Cormier sums up how he and his band mates, some of whom are also in multiple bands, can work and play and still have the time to live life. "We have very understanding wives, fiancées and girlfriends," he says with a smirk. If you would like to check out this new local band, along with Urban Myth, go to the Right Spot on Saturday night. Cost is $4.
- Metro Marquee