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It all started when Mike Turner put a classified advertisement in Now Magazine and Michael Maida (who later changes his name to Raine to avoid any confusion between the two) responded to the ad.
The two became close friends and Raine joined Mike's band, "As If." (We don't have a whole lot of information on this collaboration, other than there is supposedly a demo tape out there that was distributed in the Toronto area.) The other two members were not as serious as Raine and Mike, so this band did not last.
Later, the remaining two band members, Raine and Mike, went to a music seminar and this is where they met Arnold Lanni (owner of Arnyard Studios) and the story begins...
Jan - Recorded a four track demo at Arnyard Studios
Feb - Put together an independent Video for "Out of Here" which was a school project for Sam Siciliano who produced, directed, and edited the video (read Rob's interview with Sam to learn more) . The video later received airplay on Muchmusic
Mar - Returned to Arnyard Studios to lay down more demo tracks
N/A - "Our Lady Peace" (name was taken from a 1943 poem by Mark Van Doren) was formed (included Mike Turner, Raine Maida, Chris Eacrett and guest drummers such as Jim Newell)
Jul/Aug - Featured in Canadian Musician's Showcase
Sep - Arnold Lanni (Sheriff, Wild T and Frozen Ghost) was enlisted to produce and arrange seven songs
Nov - Management affiliates Coalition Entertainment (Eric Lawrence and Robert Lanni) took on the band and distributed a three track demo to various labels
1993
N/A - An additional four track demo was sent to interested labels
Apr - Refused to do a typical showcase gig for the half-dozen labels who were interested in them. Instead, the band told them "If you're really serious about us, come down to our rehearsal space and we'll play you the five songs" Only one label accepted the invitation. The day Sony Music Canada president, Rick Camilleri, vice-president of A&R Mike Roth, and director of music publishing Gary Furniss showed up was the same day the band was auditioning for a permanent drummer. Fortunately, the label sensed the drive and talent behind the band members and despite the obvious risk, offered them a deal after discussing the band's needs. Later that night, Jeremy Taggart joined the band. OLP then signed with Sony Music Canada and Sony Publishing.
Sep - Our Lady Peace comprised of Raine Maida, Mike Turner, Chris Eacrett and Jeremy Taggart started recording "Naveed" at Arnyard Studios
N/A - Signed with Relativity in the USA
N/A - Met Sol Fox and hired him for some pictures (he is featured on the first 4 of OLP's CD covers, "The Birdman" video, some concert backdrop films and on TV commercials)
Feb 24 - "The Birdman" single released
Mar 22 - 1st CD - "Naveed" (Middle Eastern name that means Bearer of Good News) was released. Since Jeremy was only 17 when joining the band, they waited for him to finish high school before recording this debut album. (Reviews)
Apr - First time the band toured live was with I Mother Earth
May 16 - "Starseed" single released
Aug - Recorded a remake of Neil Young's "Needle and the Damage Done" for a tribute album called "Borrowed Tunes"
Sep - Performed their first Cross-Canada club headlining tour
Oct 10 - "Hope" single released