Shama - Photo Courtesy of Alan Burns
Shama
Vancouver, British Columbia
1976 - 1980

Members
 

Brien Armstrong ~ Drums
Jeffrey Neill ~ Lead Guitar, Vocals
Michael Sicoly ~ Bass, Keyboards, Vocals
Mick Dalla-Vee (Michael Dalla-Vicenza) ~ Lead Guitar, Keyboards, Bass, Vocals
 

Shama moved to Vancouver from Sault St. Marie, Ontario in 1978. With three lead vocals they were billed as the most exciting band in Western Canada. Their influences were artist like The Cars, The Knack, The Police, Beatles, Joe Jackson, etc. Trooper picked up Shama to open for them on their summer tour.  Shama was noted for their constant rehearsing and painstaking attention to detail.

Alan Burns, July 2004

A prominent fixture in Western Canada, Shama formed in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario in January 1976. All four members attended Bawating High School together and studied music programs under the teaching of Frank Elliott

Although considered the 'cream of the crop' in their own city, Shama never played as a group together in their hometown. Instead, they decided to fly out to Vancouver, rehearse, play the Prairies and develop their writing and live show until attracting the attention of manager Bruce Allen, who was riding the success of his act Bachman-Turner Overdrive at the time.

Shama had became the darlings of Keith Sharp's 'Music Express' magazine and were receiving rave reviews from major centres in Western Canada. When they played Vancouver for the first time in early 1978, Bruce Allen was front row centre, and immediately invited the band to his office the next day to offer his services. Immediately Shama were sent into the studio with Jim Vallance (Bryan Adams, Prism) producing. The results were somewhat favourable, but not enough to land the band the deal they had been seeking.

Bruce Allen was convinced, however, that Shama would be the 'Next Big Thing' and put them on a Western Canada tour opening for hitmakers Trooper. Allen's intent was to groom Shama to become part of the new Bruce Allen world assault along with his roster of additional new acts: Loverboy and Bryan Adams.

As the Bruce Allen Talent Agency divided into Bruce Allen Management and S.L. Feldman and Associates, Shama was wooed away from the Allen camp into the Feldman roster. However, it soon became apparent that Shama had been signed as a headliner for club level activities only -- not the large radio and arena contenders they'd hope would come with Allen's original vision.

The band received no monetary or production assistance for their studio recording pursuits and despite recording over 50 songs, the act felt its potential as a recording act had yet to be fulfilled. Disillusioned, the band split up in June of 1980.

Jeffrey Neill went on to join Streetheart after Paul Dean and, subsequently, John Hanna's departure. Shama's "What Kind Of Love Is This?" was reworked and became a Top-10 hit for Streetheart.

Following Shama's break-up Mick Dalla-Vee and Michael Sicoly went on to form Trama with Tommy Stewart (Trooper - hence the spelling of Trama... Trooper with Shama); Brien Armstrong settled into family life and went on to a successful insurance career.

(Trama still exists with no original members some 23 years later!)

Currently, Neill writes for television and commercials and still plays guitar on Streetheart and occasional Loverboy festival tours. He is also writing and producing a new album with Kenny Shields as a new 'Streetheart' release.

Michael Sicoly is acting, doing voice-overs and jingles and is a solo lounge pianist. He also has had some success in acting.

Brien Armstrong is living very comfortably with his family and playing in a weekend party band, Mid-Life Crisis with Hermann Fruhm (Crowcuss) and Geoff Gibbons & Ken Kirschner (Silverlode).

Mick Dalla-Vee runs his own studio, Millennia Sound Design, writing and producing for himself and other artists. He still performs live, either solo or with the band Cease & Desist featuring Marc LaFrance (Crowcuss) and Brent Howard. Dalla-Vee is also the bass player with Canadian legend Randy Bachman. After the death of his daughter in November of 1999, he also chairs The Carolyn Foundation Musician's Assistance Society which was named after his daughter.

Mick Dalla-Vee, September 2004

Michael Sicoly became a successful solo artist, entertainer and actor . His 2 CD's (Meet You in Manhattan and Mood Swings ) have been played and sold across North America.  An original song "Kiss & Say Goodnight" was featured in the motion picture "Marine Life" starring Cybil Shepherd.

As an actor, Michael co-starred in the 1992 hit film "Alive" with Ethan Hawke.  He has done voices for 3 hit cartoon series such as Baby Huey, Space Goofs and Sabrina the Teenage Witch.

In addition he has been the featured National Anthem singer for the Seattle Mariners since 1997 including a guest appearance at the 2001 Major League Baseball All Star game in Seattle.

Michael Sicoly, August, 2006


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Last Update:  18 August 2006
Credits:  Alan Burns, Mick Dalla-Vee, Michael Sicoly
Band # 2315