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Mark Chichkan is the leader and founder of the Bombsquad.
Performing extensively for twenty six years throughout
Canada and the USA in various acts, Mark started playing
at 11 years old and was entertaining audiences shortly
thereafter. By 13 yrs old he was starting to perform for
local clubs and festivals and needed a special permit to
perform in bars because of his age. It was at this early age
that these live performances molded him into to what he is today.
Known as a dynamic lead guitarist with soulful vocal ability, Mark
landed his first national recording act in 1986 with Mindstorm.
Mark recorded one album called Back to Reality with this act on
Aquarius records and toured extensively across Canada.
Mark was the lead guitarist for this act and recorded the guitar parts
for the album along with Gary Moffat, lead guitarist for legendary
Canadian band April Wine. It was through this connection that he
met up with his second national act, Helix.
When Helix needed a lead guitarist for an upcoming tour, and having
shared the same management and record company, Mark Chichkan
was called upon for his services as a lead guitarist/vocalist.
The tour was a great success and his position as a filler guitarist
for one tour soon became a full-time gig.
Helix has four gold and two platinum albums along with thirteen
videos to their credit. This was an opportunity to share the stage
with a legendary Canadian act and play some big shows.
His run with Helix lasted roughly five years recording one album
and shooting a video. Mark penned one of the songs on the album
Half Alive entitled Wrecking Ball. Helix had a release called B-Sides
and another of Mark’s songs called Devil’s Gate was included on the album.
Some of the acts Mark Chichkan has shared the stage with on different
occasions are as follows:
The Guess Who, BTO, Randy Bachman, Foghat, Humble Pie, Georgia Satellites,
Peter Criss (of Kiss), Aldo Nova,Honeymoon Suite, Harlequin, Streetheart,
Lee Aaron, Bootsauce, Red Rider, Headpins, Trooper, Derek St Holmes
(of Ted Nugent), Wide Mouth Mason, and various Detroit well-knowns such
as Bittersweet Alley, Seduce, the Almighty Strut, Mugsy, Weapons, Halloween,
Push, and the list goes on.
Mark has a knack for surrounding himself with equally impressive musicians.
In this competitive market the saying “Your only as strong as your weakest
link” never held more true. The Bombsquad is made up of some of the area’s
most well respected musicians with nearly 100 years experience between them.
When the Bombsquad isn’t performing, Mark is a sought after solo acoustic
vocalist on both sides of the border able to perform hundreds of songs from
all eras and styles. Noteworthy performances include Freedom Festival Canada,
and kick off party for the Detroit Lions opening day Ford Field Stadium.
Born on June 26/67, Mark Chichkan has dedicated his life to music and entertainment.
A proven track record and new band behind him, this tradition is sure to continue.
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