After three years of collaborating with the seminal hardcore band Mohinder, the indie-driveen guitar noise of Calm and a brief stint with the electronic pop of Duster, singer/ guitarist Albert Menduno wanted to try something different. Answering to the classic rock sounds of Led Zeppelin, Credence Clearwater Revival and The Rolling Stones, Menduno stripped down to the classic rock basics of Haelah. Along with drummer Hutch Harris and bassist Kathy Foster, the band released two singles in 1997 courtesy of Tree Records; one being The Birds EP while the other shares a seven-inch record with Aspera Ad Astra. Following a tour in support of both of these singles, Menduno parted ways with Haelah by relocating to Chicago where he eventually started the one man ensemble of A-Set. But with Harris and Foster remaining with the Haelah name, the two moved on to Portland, Oregon and put out their third single Seasonal Needs in 1998. ~ Mike DaRonco, Rovi