Members
Formerly the Vandals, or Vandells (and eventually ending up as NRG) they became Merriday Park in 1968, largely on the advice of their record producers. At about that same time, original bassist and founding member Rick Baran left, to be replaced by Greg Dahl (from The Mindfeel).
- Larry Breiland (lead guitar, vocals)
- Greg Dahl (bass, vocals, brass)
- Aldon Norhaugen (keyboards, vocals, brass)
- Orville Santa (guitar, harmonica, vocals)
- Dave Verrill (drums and percussion)
Biography
The band worked regularly in the dance and concert scene in NW Ontario, out of Thunder Bay. Their early reputation (as the Vandals) was based largely on their Beatles’ covers and tight harmonies, although the band included original material from their earliest days. They struck up a relationship with DMG Sound Studio (producers Don Grashey and Chuck Williams) that would eventually lead to a significant amount of recorded output, considering the time and place. Their first studio work with the new line-up was recording Orville Santa’s “Bird Collector” (later covered by the Lexington Avenue) and a version of the Paul Butterfield Blues Band’s “Get Outta My Life Woman” as the music tracks for a live (lip-synched) appearance on the Waterloo, Ont. regional television show Canadian Bandstand, in the spring of 1968.
Shortly after, they returned to the studio for producer Grashey - who had impeccable connections in all areas of Canadian pop and country music - to record 2 sides. These were “Went Home Today” (Columbia C4-2873-A), penned by DMG staff songwriter John Jordan, b/w “Everybody Do Their Thing”, by Jordan and Tom Horricks. “Went Home Today” features trumpet work by both Norhaugen and Dahl, and a weird organ style – achieved by straining it through a wah-wah peddle. The single was released by Columbia Records Canada in 1969, but generated only spotty regional interest. These recording sessions (Grashey insisted Brieland sing lead vocals) widened musical and personal rifts within the band – so that Santa and Norhaugen left just prior to the single’s national release. For some months, the group continued as a power trio – Dahl and Verrill having locked as a formidable rhythm section, with guitarist Breiland doing most of the vocal work.
Later in 1969, two new members were added to the lineup:
- Bruce Anderson (keyboards, vocals)
- Ron Specht (lead vocals, percussion)
One of the keyboard auditions for the keayboard spot was by Earl Stafford, a young classical pianist of national stature and high school acquaintance of Dahl who would go on to become musical director of the Royal Winnipeg Ballet. By mutual consent at the time, all agreed it was not a proper fit.
The line up of Anderson / Brieland / Dahl / Specht / Verrill was to last almost 4 years, and provided The Park’s best musical moments, both live and studio.
In late 1969 the band went into the revamped DMG studios to record the 2nd single for Columbia: “Witchcraft” (C4-2942-A) (Dahl, Brieland) b/w “My Shady Friend” (Dahl). Released in 1970, this proved to be one of their most successful singles – “Witchcraft” rising to #21 on RPM Magazine’s Canadian Chart, in October of that year.
In early 1970 they were back in the studio to record “Take Me Back Home” (C4-2966-A) by the departed Orville Santa, b/w “It All Comes Back to Me” (Dahl, Brieland), released by Columbia Canada.
In the summer of 1970, The Park (now living together in their somewhat notorious Victoria House residence near north side downtown) went into DMG studios to record a complete album for Columbia, again with Grashey - Williams producing. This proved to be a disaster – the band was totally unprepared and unfocussed – almost severing their relationship with Grashey. Unfortunately for the band, this proved to be their only opportunity to record an entire LP. The sole salvageable track – “Magic Man” (written by Dahl and Brieland the night before the first session) – would turn up later as B-side under their subsequent name, NRG.
During this time, Merriday Park developed a loose, rambling, jam-band approach to their live shows, which typically included much of their own material, plus covers of the day (especially from the Grateful Dead, Quicksilver MS and the Stones). The sound was built on the Dahl-Verrill rhythm section, Specht’s distinctive vocal sound, and Brieland’s straight ahead guitar, grounded by Anderson’s keyboard work. While never touring nationally, the band worked almost constantly at the standard regional venues – Lakehead U, the Gardens, high schools, Finnegan’s, the Flamingo, the New O, etc. For several years, the band recorded most of their performances: a tape has survived containing live material from the LU Agora and Finnegan’s, but has never been released. Over the years, The Park opened local shows for the Guess Who, Paul Revere and the Raiders, The Troggs, Edward Bear, The Paupers, and other internationally established artists. What is believed to the first “Boogie” in Thunder Bay was conceived of and booked by Dahl as a fundraiser for the Thunder Bay Dharma Centre, and featured The Park, Jarvis Street Revue and 8 other local bands, at the Exhibition Coliseum in early 1971.
They reunited for a one-night show in Thunder Bay in 1976. Larry Brieland later worked with Full Sail, Tommy Horricks and Doc Tibbles. Greg Dahl has most recently appeared on CDs by Ottawa vocalists Karen Lahaise, and Marc Coderre, and as a songwriter with Dave McDonald.
Discography
The complete vinyl output - from Columbia Records and Gaiety Records - of Merriday Park/NRG is available on CD on Vol. 1 and Vol.2 of "Rare Canadian Rock from the Sixties", Pacemaker Records. Also included is a studio version of "Route 66" (Troup) which was a staple of the band's live shows, although they had never intended on releasing the studio version.
MERRIDAY PARK - WENT HOME TODAY (Columbia C4-2873) 1968 A-Side is "Everybody Do Their Thing" Strange tune, some wild organ effects and a very strange vocal effect that may br the result of double tracked vocals with no reverb. From Canada.