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ABOUT MEB
Robert Cardinal – Manager, ph# (780) 891-3999 Cell #
(780) 773-5305
Email address: mebband@msn.com
Website: http://www.mebband.com
BIOGRAPHY
There is a unique Rock phenomenon happening in the
small northern Community of Wabasca Alberta. A band
of young first nations brothers have dominated their
way into the local music scene, bringing with them a
hard new sound that is causing quite a stir. The
Band is MEB.
MEB was formed in 2002 in Wabasca Alberta, a
small first nations community 4 hours north of
Edmonton. The name MEB represents names of
the founding members Matthew, Eli and Brent. In 2006
they would be joined by their brother Ramsey,
melding the “B” and “R” to form the new MEB.
This Alternative Rock band is cohesive and unified,
singing and playing from the heart. Their sound is
fresh and pertinent to the industry today, easily
comparable to groups such as Blink 182, 3 Doors
Down, or Hoobastank. The band includes - Matthew
Cardinal, 17 (Front man, Lead Vocals, Lead guitar);
Brent “Brento” Alook, 17 (Bass Guitar); Ramsey “Ram
Jam” Alook, 20 (Rhythm Guitar); and Eli Cardinal, 21
(Drums, Vocals and Lyricist).
These first nations’ artists are members of the
Bigstone Cree Nation and are strongly influenced by
their family roots. Their parents have been one of
their main influences, pushing them to follow their
dreams and make a difference in the world. Their
newest album, “In Our Hearts” (2007) is
filled with personal tributes and heart felt
messages of family, loss, and hope for the future.
All the music and lyrics are written by Matthew and
Eli. “I hope to reach as much people as possible,”
says Eli “and hopefully inspire them to live a
healthy life. We live in a remote aboriginal
community where exposure and musical resources are
very limited. We hope for an opportunity to display
our musical abilities worldwide. Our main goal is to
be role models and inspire youth to build proud and
creative futures for themselves ~ to pursue their
dreams! We hope our music will help us reach our
main goal.” Eli and the rest of the band are also
part of the MEB Youth Empowerment Program, offering
workshops to First Nations youth on how to express
their feelings through music.
MEB’s beginnings are a “garage band” story of
the first degree. In 2001 a local band borrowed the
Cardinal family’s basement to practice. Eli and
Mathew were inspired by what they saw and decided to
ask for instruments for Christmas. Eli asked for
drums, and Mathew asked for an electric guitar and
amp. They started to practice and convinced brother
Brent to join as well. In March 2002 and the band
formed as the “Blue Dragons”. They spent hours in
the garage practicing and singing. The first song
they learned was “Adams song” by Blink 182. The
first song they wrote was called “Beautiful”. They
guys performed around their home town and travelled
to a few local communities. They soon out grew the
name “Blue Dragons”, and decided to change their
band name to MEB. Ramsey later joined the band in
May 2005 as a rhythm guitarist. In that same year
the band produced their first professionally
recorded CD, “Watching Me”, followed up by their
newest, and highly successful Album “In Our Hearts”
Released in 2007.
MEB’s Album, “In Our Hearts”, was a nominated
for “Best New Artist” and “Best Rock CD” by the
Canadian National Aboriginal Music Awards 2007. 2500
albums have been sold so far, as well as t-shirts,
toques, and hoodies. MEB has been listed in
the CFWE Aboriginal Radio Most Active Top 20
List. They have opened for big name bands Social
Code, Red Nation, Kiera Kolson and have
performed in many high profile festivals all over
Alberta, B.C. and the Northwest Territories.
Festival appearances include: National Aboriginal
Day, Edmonton AB, (2006, 2007, 2008); Big
Valley Jamboree, Camrose AB, (2005, 2006);
Walk for Cancer, Slave Lake, AB (2008);
Alberta Summer Games (2007); River Rats Music
Festival, Athabasca, AB (2007); Kispiox Music
Festival, Kispiox, BC (2007); Ice on Whyte
Festival, Edmonton, AB (2006); Dreamspeakers
11th Annual International Film Festival,
Edmonton, AB (2006); Aboriginal Day Festival,
Slave Lake, AB (2006); Alberta Centennial
Celebrations, Edmonton, AB (2005) Paddle
Prairie Music Festival, Paddle Prairie, AB
(2004); Aboriginal Music Festival, Edmonton,
AB (2003). They have also attended many youth
oriented events including: Grande Prairie Youth
Conference, Grand Prairie, AB (2008); Inuvik
Youth Conference, Inuvik, NT (2008);
Dreamcatchers Youth Conference, Edmonton, AB
(2004, 2005, 2006, 2007); Rae Edzo Northwest
Territories Youth Conference, NT (2007).
The future of MEB is clear cut. The goals are
to become international superstars. They will travel
the world and spread the message of personal
empowerment, lending a voice to those who need it.
They are going to continue to create inspirational
songs with a strong message for the youth of today.
“You have a voice, you have a soul, you have the
right to be heard”. They are creating a place in
this world for First Nation’s youth to generate
music and leave an impression. MEB is forging
a new path into the mainstream, creating a new norm,
and hoping the world is ready for this new brand of
Rock!
CONTACT MANAGEMENT
Robert Cardinal – Manager, ph# (780) 891-3999 Cell #
(780) 773-5305
Email address: mebband@msn.com
Website: http://www.mebband.com
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