~ By Geoffrey Hays for toronto.com, 10/1/99
The rhythm section they found was Ari Tapiero playing drums and Stuart Watkins on bass guitar. The album they recorded, with help from world-class engineer Trina Shoemaker (Sheryl Crow, Blue Rodeo, Blues Traveller) and others, became Dig it Up. They did the production themselves, and released it independently in January of 1999.
By that time, they had already gone thru some major growth and change. In the summer, news that Stuart Watkins would be leaving to concentrate on other projects left the band with a vacancy that they rapidly filled with Mitch Pariseau, who had filled in for Watkins on bass many times in the past. In the fall of 1998 Hennessey hired Graham Stairs of PopGuru to represent them and Jack Ross of The Agency Group for bookings, both well-known music industry professionals.
In the midst of all that, they were also doing their most extensive touring to date, opening a half-dozen shows for The Waltons as far away as Calgary.
Just about the time that Dig it Up was released, the band was dealt another personel change when Thomas Bona became the second drummer following Tapiero's departure to pursue a career in photography.
In the following months Hennessey continued to perform live all over eastern Canada, and they were starting to attract more and more attention from the media. TV and radio as well as plenty of newspaper and magazines were taking notice and publishing glowing reviews.
Things were now moving faster and in the summer of 1999 they filmed their first video (for Fifty Most Beautiful People). Throughout the rest of the year they were doing bigger and bigger shows, opening for the likes of Echo & The Bunnymen and 5440, culminating in two sold-out performances at the Tralf in Buffalo, NY with Moxy Früvous on New Year's Eve and New Years Day. Many in these large crowds were being exposed to Hennessey for the first time and a band that was formerly a well-kept, home-town secret in Ottawa was now attracting fans internationally.
Beginning in February of 2000 they returned to the studio to record what would become their second album Life on A.M. Radio. Because of various conflicts and a continuing performance schedule (mainly with Rory, Pam, and Mitch as a trio) this project took considerably longer than originally planned and in the end Rory completed the final production work by himself (with engineering help from his brother Chris).
Once the disc was done, they took a couple days to shoot their second video, for the title track, "Life on A.M. Radio," which was promptly put into rotation on MuchMusic.
Meanwhile, the decision was made to delay the nationwide distribution of the album until early 2001, frustrating the band who went ahead and released a limited number of copies to local fans who were already eagerly anticipating new material.
At the CD release party (9/15/00 at Barrymore's Music Hall in Ottawa), besides unveiling the new album, a new bassist, Shaun Noronha, was also introduced and Pariseau was now helping out on guitar, freeing Pam up to move about the stage and concentrate on vocals.
Hennessey finished up the millenium replacing their drummer when Bona left to follow other musical pursuits. Romano Di Nillo became drummer #3 shortly thereafter, joining them for a busy schedule of local shows (including some TV appearances) througout January and February, and on the subsequent nationwide tour of Canada promoting the new release.
They completed thier third music video, Buddhamatic, and even translated the song into French where it enjoyed success in the French quarters, getting as high as #4 and staying for weeks in the Top 30!
In June Romano announced that he would be leaving the group and returning to Newfoundland. Brian Gould became the newest drummer shortly after that.
"... a rarity among Canadian women who actually rock." ~ id Magazine
When you first meet her in person, the farthest thing from your
mind will be that this is a girl who belts out rock and roll on
a regular basis. She's far too sweet and innocent looking. The image
is of an ordinary young woman... probably someone's little sister.
Afterall, rockstars dont wear pony-tails, right? There is definately
a rock star in there somewhere though, and boy does it come out on stage!The intensity and dedication which she brings to her music is matched only by her commitment to having a good time, she says her credo is "Always have 'fun' and have 'fun' while you’re having 'fun.'"
"It's because I'm better." ~ Rory Dyck, joking about his separate production credit for Life on AM Radio.
He played in Ottawa band September Child for six years
before joining forces with Pam to start Hennessey. He
cites this long tenure as the #1 reason it took him 7
years to complete his 3 year English/Psych degree from
Carleton University.Remembering one of his first public appearance playing guitar, at an elementary school when I was in high school, he says: "Everyone walked out, even the kids in grade 3 who'd never seen a band before. Someone said: "That was a joke, right? Right?!". I swore I would never play again."
We're glad you changed your mind, Rory!
Mitch Pariseau (Bass, Guitar)
"Mitch rocks!" ~ Anonymous Hennessey fan
The first time Mitch played in public as the full-time
Hennessey bassist was on CTV'S Canada AM. By then he
had been a long-time friend of the band and often filled
in for Watkins at gigs he was unable to make. Formerly
performing with the Belfast Cowboys and Slow Motion Walter,
Mitch never made a secret of the fact that he wanted to be
in the group someday. He was the obvious choice and made a
"natural and welcome addition" as a newly permanent member.And he likes to cook. That's about it really...
Shaun Noronha (Bass)
"I quite like him." ~ Pamela Brennan
Shaun moved to Canada from England at a young age, but now wouldnt live anywhere else: "I've lived in the same small town for most of my life.... It's the best town in the world."He picked up the bass at about 18 years old and has since played with a wide-range of notable Canadian talent, from touring with Allanah Myles and Moxy Früvous' Jian Ghomeshi to appearing on several indie recordings.
He came to Hennessey through his sister, who had gone to school with Pam, and who works at a studio where Hennessey were recording some demo tracks. Mitch couldn't be there, so Shaun was called in to help out. Those demos went on to become Life on AM Radio, and Shaun was added as an official member by the time it was released!
Brian Gould (Drums)
"... check him out, he's pretty frickin' cool." ~ Pamela Brennan
Brian found out about the opening at Hennessey's driver seat from his old friend Shaun Noronha. "After one rehearsal, one gig and one road trip... I think the feeling was mutual. I wanted them and they wanted me."A drummer with a variety of groups since the age of 13, Brian has been across Canada twice with Blues harmonica player/singer "Wild Child" Butler and to Japan with a production of Anne of Green Gables. What has all this experience taught him? "Musicians are for the most part, weird people."
Brian has a degree in Multimedia and one in Applied Music. He spends his time outside of Hennessey teaching drums, drumming with theatre groups, and drumming his fingers.
Copyright ©2001, Sensitive Poets. Photos & images copyrighted by owner.
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Last updated 12/14/01