Bio

Mid 2002 Sideproject was formed with Mark & mad Mike (Backyard Burial). They were both introduced to each other through a guy named Tom of a local Lower Hutt band named Abra Cadava whom had just split up at the time. Mark was also a member of Abra Cadava, so he was still looking to jam and was also by that time wanting to change his musical direction into that of a more musical and progressive sound.

At the point of their formation, Mark and Mike were both heavily influenced by latin jazz, due to the guitarist being musically trained at a foundation course in jazz, along with their continuation of flamenco and latin lessions.

This seemed to fit well into Mikes prospective as far as pushing the limits of ones own creative and technical abilities go. Both Mark and Mike eventually meet again at Backyard Burial's old practice space out in a dodgy old warehouse in Lower Hutt. Prior to this through Mikes drunkiness at the 2001 Punkfest - talk of a Meshuggah covers band was brought up and he originally intended to have both Mark and Tom on guitars and a possibility of ex Christian Combustion vocalist John on the vocals, which never worked out due to locations being too far away, loss of contact etc. At the time, they both decided to make Sideproject a jamming band without a bass player - due to having alot of difficulty finding one. Sideproject started learning Meshuggah covers amongst others 'which was a challenge in its self.

Mike has had no formal lessons but has been involved in attending a year at music school, along with the odd lesson here and there by a tutor named Lance Phillip. Later on, Mike became self taught as far as learning different styles go from years of listening to many genres of music and continued practice.

They used the drummers ex-band Jaunt's old practice room out in Belmont to have regular jams. After months of jam sessions and hours of frustration, Mark managed to stumble upon an energetic soul with muscial talent named Dino and later on introduced him to Mike.

August 2002 Mark and Mike finished recording a 3 track ruff demo with no vocals. Later they brought in Dino to thrash his lungs and eventually started writing more material together. After 3 or 4 new songs the band was getting thirsty and wanted to take their music to a live audience.

March 2003 Sideproject played their first show. They staged with School of Meat and The Valley Five @ Valve Bar, Wellington.

Band Members:
Dino (vocals)
Mark D (guitar)
Mike (drums)