Perusing the lineup for this year’s Over The Top Festival, we wonder just how over-the-top the three-day music, film and theatre jam – now in its eighth year – can get. Organizer Eric Warner has again procured an eclectic lot of bands, both contemporary and classic, that will try to take you over this proverbial edge.

In the latter category is hyper-literate Vancouver duo Mecca Normal (Friday, 8 pm, 6 Nassau). Jean Smith and David Lester formed Mecca in the mid-80s and have kept the noisy, stark combination of Lester’s guitar and Smith’s vocals going ever since. They peaked in the 90s with a slew of releases on K Records and Matador, but now fittingly work with Kill Rock Stars, a label known for the kind of strong feminist ideas Smith championed decades ago.

On the flip side come jaw-droppingly young Brooklyn pre-teens Tiny Masters of Today (Saturday, 7 pm, Whippersnapper, 589 College). Fortunately, Over The Top is staunchly all-ages; otherwise, the duo’s 15-year-old Ivan and his 13-year-old sister, Ada, might be barred from playing certain venues. Tiny Masters play precocious songs that meander between Detroit rock and electronic noise-pop. See them now, before they get huge, sell out, develop drug problems and fade away by the age of 19.

If you’ve ever experienced the über-derelict art punk hangout Friendship Cove in Montreal, then you literally know where Think About Life (Friday, 8:30 pm, Polish Combatants Hall, 206 Beverley) are coming from. Cove caretaker Graham Van Pelt (also the red-headed singer/guitarist from Miracle Fortress) and former Donkey Heart frontman Martin Cesar lead the anything-goes electronic-based soul group. Like Friendship Cove, they’re experimental and forward-thinking but not above rowdily pouring La Fin du Monde on each other.

Long-time Brampton indie rock faves Five Blank Pages (Saturday, 6:30 pm, Mod Club, 722 College) have chosen this year’s OTT fest for their last show. During the band’s six-year run, they produced some infectious Halifax-style alt-rock that’ll be missed by many. But you can’t keep down a hard rocker like Rajiv Thavanathan. The soon-to-be-former FBP bassist now runs frenetic art rock unit Oh No Forest Fires (also on the bill), who are gaining considerable steam thanks to a live show worthy of over-the-top status.

music@nowtoronto.com