The band was started by friends Jesse Clarke and Pat Zelinski, and brothers Dean and Kyle Stamler (after the disbanding of their previous band Plan B), with Dave Janzen of Winnipeg. After writing a couple songs and getting the ball rolling, Kyle quit to pursue a career, and Dean and Dave decided to start a new band with Dave's former band mate in Winnipeg, Nathan Woods, which ended up becoming Sunday Night Cruise. Sammy Degagne joined Noriah on bass and the three played acoustic shows around Thunder Bay at various coffee shops, and opening for friends bands. Matt Bunn started playing with the band on Djembe in 2003/2004, and Maija Niskanen sang vocals for a short time as well. Sammy left to join a band in the U.S. that was signing a record deal in 2004. Matt left to pursue school. Maija left as the band took a break. Don and Dan joined and the band started focusing on an electric rock sound. The band began recording an album in 2005, and Pat moved to Calgary so the process was delayed, as Pat would come back into town on occasion to record. The band changed their name to "Noriyah" during that time. Pat eventually left the band, and the remaining 3 members played shows and finished the album before they all moved to BC. Jesse returned to Thunder Bay in 2007 to release the album under the Jessbone moniker and play a solo acoustic show at Kilroy's before calling the band quits for good.
2002-2007
Members
Former members:
- Pat Zelinski - guitar
- Sammy Degagne - bass
- Matt Bunn - drums
- Maija Niskanen - vocals
- Kyle Stamler - guitar
- Dean Stamler - drums
- Dave Janzen - bass