Say Ah! by Say Ah!

A few years later the pair got together with classmate Tyler Dokis (present drummer for Toronto band "Showroom"). After a very successful debut performance for a high school concert the band visited 'Flipside Studios' in North Bay to begin recording the 11-song 'An Attempt to Make a Brighter Day'. The leadoff track, 'Konnichiwa' is still played quite frequently in 'Say Ah!' gigs. The album sold over 250 copies within the school body.

In 1999, Rob and Andrew said their goodbyes to Tyler, who was now heading off to University, and welcomed into the fold Paul Vail (drums) and Perry Trinier (present front-man for North Bay band 'Form One'). Under the name 'Ryst?', the band spent a year playing numerous 'Battle of the Bands' gigs and then went on to record a 6-song EP titled 'With Timed Strides'.

In September of 2000 Rob and Andrew parted ways to attend different schools in Southern Ontario. After a year of relative inactivity Andrew began to experiment with home-recording and went on to make two solo albums titled 'Why Can't I Get it Straight?' & '*******'. In the meantime Rob began a rigorous schedule of playing video games and bass guitar… sometimes simultaneously. Following a chance reunion at the B-Side club in Toronto, Tyler Dokis again found himself behind a kit in support of Rob and Andrew. The next two years consisted of full-band gigs in the summer, when Rob would be in the city cleaning subway stations for the T.T.C., and the rest of the year Andrew would be playing solo / duo shows with his friend and talented guitarist Tim Jeong. By far the highlight show for Andrew and Tim was an opening slot for Chris De Burgh at the Hummingbird Centre in Toronto. This opportunity would not have been possible without the help a legendary promoter Gary Topp who took quite an enthusiastic interest in Andrew's songwriting a few months prior. Gary's influence and direction would later lead numerous opening gigs and a full-page interview in the Globe & Mail. As much fun as it was for Andrew to play solo shows, the need to have a supporting band was becoming a growing concern.

By this point Tyler had moved on to pursue things with his band 'Showroom' and Rob was a few towns away finishing off his degree. Andrew, who had just gotten married a few months prior, mentioned his drummer woes to his wife Joanna. During one of her classes at the University of Toronto, Joanna introduced herself to Laura Savage who in turn introduced herself at a percussion student in U of T's prestigious music program. With Laura on drums, and Rob catching a bus with his bass into town on weekends, the newfound trio began practicing in the underbowels of the U of T Music Faculty. It wasn't long before the band was gig-ready but yet still nameless. In the back of Gary Topp's van, on the way to a gig at the Drake Hotel - 'Say Ah!' was born.

One year later, with the recent addition of Dave St. Bernard on guitar & keys - 'Say Ah!' entered Skylight Studios to begin recording their first album. We are very excited about what the future holds for the four of us. We love our music but more importantly we love to share it with everyone who's willing to listen. Thank you for listening.

Sincerely,

Say Ah!

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