"It's an ongoing feud. I live on the North Shore, but I work with people who live on the South Shore, so we talk about it," said Kerrie Beaulieu, an administrative assistant hanging out at the sparkling Mandrake in Beverly, a bar-restaurant on Cabot Street.
"When I think of the South Shore, I just think of traffic," sniffed her friend Samantha Racki, who lives in Marblehead and works in public relations in Newburyport.
Now, do I hear it for the South Shore?
"I think there are more places to play on the South Shore," said singer Brian Burrill, who had just finished a solo set at Marina Bay Beach Club (formely WaterWorks) in Quincy. Nearby is the fabled, nearly 50-year-old Beachcomber on Wollaston Beach, with a new sign out front that reads, "The Cape is here this year." Owner Jimmy McGettrick said, "With the economy being what it is, we want people to save money by coming here rather than the Cape." It seems to be working, because he had a big crowd for the excellent Age Against the Machine (a Rage Against the Machine tribute act).
OK, everybody has a point. Both shores offer many options - and both lure older crowds that might not fight the young, twenty- and thirtysomething stranglehold at most intown Boston/Cambridge clubs. Also, drinks often cost less, and many places outside the city don't have cover charges. And you can't beat the water views at such spots as the Ocean Club on Nantasket Beach, the bohemian Madfish Grille in Gloucester, and the elegant Red Rock Bistro in Swampscott.
Overall, live music has ebbed, especially original music (artists are often asked to play radio hits instead). Gone are great North Shore live clubs such as Grover's and Sandy's Jazz Revival in Beverly. Gone from the South Shore are the Yardrock in Quincy, the Sea Note in Hull (closed this summer, but hoping to reopen), and Meaghan's Place in Scituate.
"We're running out of rooms to play," said Kevin Morris of the South Shore reggae band Noddaclu, noting that in some places DJs are becoming more prevalent and in others the focus is turning more toward food. "When one club falls off the map, you've got to find another," said Erinn Brown, a Salem-based singer.
Still, the beat goes on, and I'm determined to find it.
