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~89-97

Biography

Formed in the late 80's, Memorandom was basically an outlet for Paul Cherwonick, Arek Chamski & (later) Shawn Cannon to write, record, and release the several dozen songs they had.

They rented the basic equipment and started recording they're debut album "Introducing Memorandom" in Paul's music room. At that time PA System Records was established by Paul and Arek C. The album was released in Thunder Bay in 1991. The first album got good reviews in several underground music magazines from all over the province including "Rock On", "What Wave", "Feline Frenzy", & several others, it also had encouraging sales. To the bands amazement several unpackaged home copies were being given away by those who bought it. Soon after the album was out Arek Wojciechowski left to join "Indecision" ( who would evolve into "4 Holy Fools"). Tom Berube would also join that outlet but remain involved with Memorandom on and off through the bands second album "Rosewood Memories".

In 1992 Memorandom now included James Mason ("Pukefish") and Dave Cruickshank. Work began on the hour long semi-concept album that took months to record. during that process James and Dave both left. Paul, Arek C, & Tom completed the album and despite the effort were not satisfied. it was released later that year.

After "Rosewood" Mike Guerin ("The Dinks", "Stealing Food", "The Rubber Dinosaurs") became the drummer only to leave shortly there after to front the band "Job Tips From The Dead" (the worst band ever). He eventually became a mainstay in the local Punk scene but that was still a few years away.

In 1993 Dylan Benson ("Mudflaps", "Round Table Jazz Quartet") joined the group and they started rehearsing and recording. It was the recorded live rehearsal tapes made with Mike and Dylan that made up the ill fated album "No Bullshit". Soon after Dylan and Tom both left and the album project never got edited or mastered. Despite that rough mixes were circulated through dub chains.

In late 1994 Paul & Arek decided to reduce the group down to a duo and adopt a pure accoustic folk approach. The duo recorded the album "Passing Time" with two guitars and for the first time lead vocal contributions from the both of them. It was the bands most polished production to date. Befour the album came out in 1995 the tapes were used to secure a show at the now bankrupt "Merlins Tea Room". The show was very well recieved which was uncommon for people who played 100% original material. It was for that reason that live appearences by the group were rare occasions.

Shortly after "Passing Time" was realeased Arek & Paul met up with an old school friend named Shawn Cannon. Shawn had a huge backlog of songs and after listening to the 3 previous albums joined Memorandom. The trio soon discovered that a drummer named Trevor Kelly ("Country At Heart") lived in the main floor apartment of the house they were living in. The new incarnation of Memorandom started playing for friends in the basement. Trevor left the band to go fishing (he would still play on and off with them, even recently) and was replaced by Dan Lessey (who Shawn used to play with).

The group started working on the album "St Anthony's Fire". It was at the same time two short video productions were made. "Sunday Night 8:00" was named after the group's jam time and featured the songs "Freedom" & "I'm Gone Away". The second video "Inside Memorandom" (directed by "Kalvin Preena") featured the song "Best Wishes". The songs were recorded at "Andyland" with producer "Andy Wolff" ("Rifflifters", "Resinators").

During the sessions for "St Anthony's Fire" Dan left and eventually the album was completed with help from producer "Eddie Doran" ("The Rubber Dinosaurs", "Steve Zodiac"). Former member Mike Guerin returned to help finish the project but by the time 1997 started Paul & Arek C abandoned the finished album, PA System Records, and Memorandom itself.

After Memorandom Paul & Arek started playing live regularly and were key figures in forming "The Old Dawson Trail Blues Band", "The Resinators", "Country At Heart", and "The Moonpeople".

"The Resinators" label "Hometown Records" is planning to remix and eventually reissue a Memorandom album along with "Andy Wolff's" back catalog as part of their "Indie Tape Re-masters" series in the very distant future.

Discography

  • Introducing Memorandom (PA System Records - FACASS 001, March 1991)
  • Nuke'em (Unissued local music compilation 1992)
  • Rosewood Memories (PA System Records - FACASS 002, 1992)
  • No Bullshit! (unissued/Bootleg Dub Chain 1994)
  • Memos, Demos & Outakes (unissued/Bootleg Dub Chain 1994)
  • Passing Time (PA System Records - FACASS 003, August 1995)
  • St Anthony's Fire (unissued 1997)
  • The Memorandom Tapes (out soon on "Hometown Records")

Videography

  • Sunday night 8:00 (PA SYSTEM 1996)
  • Inside Memorandom (PA SYSTEM 1996)
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