Nick and Andy Jackson still call Sault Ste. Marie home, despite living in England for at least ten years now.
In England, they're part of a band called IT (pronounced 'it') that incorporates an innovative sort of visual punctuation to support the messages in their songs when they play live.
However, the show with Startlefish last night at the Down Beat was set up in a hurry and they didn't have time to do the video and sound-sample components usually found in their gigs.
"It's a multimedia show with video, live music samples, and it's a whole concept show," Jackson said during a break.
"A lot of the samples [video and sound clips] are taken from news reports, political speeches and different things like that," said Jackson. "They all tie into the meanings of the songs which are quite political, in a way."
The five-member band is expecting a brand new CD in September or October of this year, said Jackson (shown with Startlefish's Craig West).
He also said they hope to come to Canada in February or March and do a mini tour to promote it.
They really hope to include hometown Sault Ste. Marie as a stop on that tour, "and there's talk of another tour through here next summer as well," said Jackson.
Jackson was born while his Saultite parents were studying in England.
He grew up in Sault Ste. Marie until they all moved to London when he was 15.
The Jackson boys get back to the Sault at least a few times a year and have brought IT with them a few times in the past.
Last summer they played a gig at the Bellevue Park bandshell with Startlefish.
Last spring they played Foggy Notions then the following night with the Chris Belsito Band at Algoma University College.
They also opened for the Fixx this past winter and Jackson was impressed with the experience.
"With the Fixx it's 25 years of experience. They opened for the Police on their biggest tour of 1984, the Synchronicity tour," said Jackson. "There's a lot of good things that rubbed off on us like the way they learned to go for the important things when they are playing live."
Jackson said that the message of IT's music is important and it's important to get the vocals, keyboard and guitar riffs right so the message is heard.
He says his current musical influences include Pink Floyd, whom the band is frequently compared to, as well as Porcupine Tree, and The Devon Townsend Band.
Some of the songs on the upcoming CD, Departure are critical of the U.S. involvement in Iraq and of injustices promoted by multi-national corporations, said Jackson.
Andy Jackson also brought a friend along to play a few songs as a special surprise last night.
Annette Green, is a Saultite with a strong message behind a sweet voice and intricate melodies.
She treated the Down Beat audience to a couple of numbers accompanied by Andy Jackson and Ed Young.