OHM is an American Heavy Jazz/Rock/Fusion power trio formed by Chris Poland (guitar) and Robertino “Pag” Pagliari (bass). They have thus released four studio albums – “OHM” (2003), “Amino Acid Flashback” (2005), “Circus of Sound” (2008), and “Tsunami Jams” (2014).
Since its conception, the band has worked with a multitude of world class drummers such as Koko Bermejo, Kofi Baker, Joel Taylor, David Eagle, and Nick Menza. In 2009, Poland and Pagliari created an offshoot of OHM known as OHMphrey along with Jake Cinniger, Joel Cummins, and Kris Meyers from Umphrey's McGee.
Frontman Poland describes OHM's music as “tension/release music." With the addition of Menza in 2015, OHM's music is described to have become more edgy and intense, making it more rock than ever.
Nick Menza passed away on 21st May 2016 while performing at the Baked Potato (Studio City), where the band is a regular.
Today, OHM is going back into the studio to record a new album and master a recent live performance.
Though he never had the opportunity to play with OHM, in spirit Gar Samuelson was the first unofficial drummer of the band. When Pag and Poland decided to form OHM in the late 1990s, their dream was to reunite with their old New Yorkers bandmate Samuelson. Unfortunately that opportunity never came as Gar would pass away on July 14, 1999 (Bastille Day) after suffering from health complications.
Gar’s career started with the 5 piece jazz fusion band The New Yorkers in the late 1970s, early 1980s with Poland and Pag. After meeting with Dave Mustaine and Dave Ellefson of Megadeth in 1984, he joined the band, and Poland soon followed, this being what Mustaine refers to as 'the first real line-up'. Samuelson would go on to serve as the band's drummer until 1987, appearing on the albums Killing Is My Business... and Business Is Good!, and Peace Sells...But Who's Buying?, as well as serving through multiple tours.
Gar's style was heavily influenced by years of jazz training. He was considered a very unorthodox drummer among the other thrash metal bands of the 1980s. After Megadeth he and his brother Stew, along with Billy Brehme, Travis Karcher and Andy Freeman, formed Fatal Opera, which released a self-titled album in 1995 and the Eleventh Hour in 1997.
Long-time friend and bandmate Chris Poland said about Samuelson: "He was a true friend. Everything I know about—time, rhythm and feel—I learned from Gar, so I'll always hear his voice in my music."
Koko Bermejo was the first official drummer of OHM when they formed in 1997. He grew up in the Philippines learning classical piano as a child before his love of rock and jazz inspired him to pick up the drums. Bermejo got his first chance to rock when he joined the group Warhead, which was the first heavy metal band from the Philippines to record an album in 1986.
He would eventually come to the U.S. in the mid 1990s and find himself renting a studio across the hall from Chris Poland. Although there were a lot of drummers in the building woodshedding all of the time, Koko was the only drummer that Chris would listen to and say, ”Wow, that’s a great drummer!” Chris described him as being different, because of Koko’s various styles of playing. Koko would do Latin music, and then change his playing to Tony Williams style. One day, Chris knocked on Koko’s door, and said, ”Hey, wanna jam with Pag and I?’’ And he said “OK,” just like that.
Bermejo would only be with OHM two years before returning to the Philippines. Since then, Koko has continued working on epic jazz projects and touring the world. In early 2000 Koko would form The Witch Doctors of Underground Jazz Improvisation band said to be one of the most influential Filipino jazz bands. They released two albums, the KATHA award winning Ground Zero(2001) and Zen and The Art of Dressmaking(2005). Their 1st album, "Ground Zero" took Manila by storm and made waves in the close knit Pinoy jazz community. Although the group disbanded after recording their 2nd album, they are still very much talked about today.
In 2002 Bermejo would join legendary jazz guitarist Johnny Alegre’s IFFINITY band. Their first recorded work, "Stones Of Intramuros", written by Alegre, was included in the limited edition Philippine jazz anthology CD, Adobo Jazz Vol.1, which caught the attention of the U.K.-based jazz record company, Candid Records. Subsequently, the self-titled album, Johnny Alegre AFFINITY was released in the Philippines in mid-2005 and was re-released in England for global distribution as Jazzhound.
Since 2006 he has also been collaborating with premier Brazilian fusion artist Alumna Nyko Maca. Koko currently lives in New York.
David Eagle joined OHM in 1998 after the departure of Koko Bermejo. As fate would have it, David had the studio next-door to the OHM studio. So when it came time for him to jam with OHM, it turned out that he already new all of the songs because he had been listening to their rehearsals through the wall. Eagle’s percussive skills were so dynamic that he helped push OHM into a new era of music. Many fans would joke about Eagles drum set known affectionately as the “hydra” - for its many odd attachments that could include household items such as pots and pans or anything else that made a cool sound.
Eagle spent two separate stints with OHM. In the early 2000s he would take a break from the band. In the late 2000s he would return to replace Kofi Baker and record Tsunami Jams, and remain with the band until his passing.
David has been a percussionist, not only a drummer, for many different groups and artists. Frank Zappa famously defined music as “Decorating time with sound.”. Applying this definition to David Eagle, he has provided the framework for tours and recordings for Tina Turner, Alphonso Johnson, Oingo Boingo, Jan Akkermanm, Willie Bobo, Reeves Gabrels, Gary Hoey, the Italian artists Ricardo Cocciante, Perigeo, Rino Gaetano, and the Czech artist Milos Dolezal. David has also authored and taught on three instructional videos, “Drum Basics”, “Learn To Play Drums”, and “Start Me Playing Drums” in addition to being the drummer for OHM.
David Eagle was known for his inventiveness, creativity and musicality. He was well loved in the music community. Known to be vivacious and outgoing with a passionate spirit. David has two Sons; Jarret and Adam Eagle.
David Eagle died due to complications of a heart attack on August 3, 2015.
Kofi Baker joined OHM after David Eagle decided to take a break from the band. Kofi would end up staying with OHM for nearly 10 years, recording on three albums and going on multiple tours.
As the son of legendary drumming icon Ginger Baker, Kofi Baker has a name that’s synonymous with drumming excellence. And Kofi lives up to his name; with his outstanding skills, drive, and dedication he continues the great Baker legacy.
Kofi’s first live performance was with his father on the UK television show “The Old Grey Whistle Test” – at just six years of age he proved he had inherited more than just his father’s name. In the early 80’s, Kofi and his father played drum duets throughout Europe, amazing audiences with complex African polyrhythms. Later, Kofi toured with John Ethridge (Soft Machine), and gigged in London with Steve Waller (Manfred Mann), and with Randy California (Spirit). He also toured Europe with Steve Marriot of Humble Pie.
During the 1990’s Kofi toured with Jack Bruce in Budapest; signed with Scotty Brothers Records when he recorded the album Lost City; recorded Abstract Logic with Jonas Hellborg and Shawn Lane; and toured extensively – including more drum duets with Ginger Baker.
In 1994, Kofi headed off for the USA and for some time lived with his father Ginger Baker in Colorado. Footage of this can be seen in the Ginger Baker Rockumentary ‘Beware of Mr Baker’ and more stories in the Ginger Baker autobiography ‘Hellraiser’ & GingerBaker.com.
More recently Kofi has completed The Extreme Guitar Tour with Uli Jon Roth -Former Scorpions lead guitarist, Vinny Appice – DIO, Black Sabbath, Rick Derringer, John Lennon etc. Vinnie Moore – Lead guitarist with UFO.
Kofi Baker is also known for his additional bands he’s created, such as Kofi Baker Jazz band and Extreme Cream, which frequently has Ric Fierabracci or Pag on bass, and Bobby Robles or Mike Keneally on guitar, The Kofi Baker Bluesion Band, session work, and the Kofi Baker Drum School.
Joel Taylor entered OHM during a brief transition period after Kofi Baker left the band, just before the full return of David Eagle. During that year with OHM, Taylor would record 3 tracks for the Circus of Sound album as well as tour.
Joel Taylor, an American drummer, is known in the jazz/fusion genre as a “force to be reckoned with.” Joel has always been involved in music, starting from when he was apart of the Mcdonald’s All-American High School Band, performing at places, such as Carnegie Hall. He graduated from a top credited school, Berklee College of Music in 1982, and privately studied with accomplished drummers Gary Chaffee and Alan Dawson in Boston, Massachusetts.
Joel Taylor has toured or recorded with hundreds of respected artists such as Brian Bromberg, Mike Garson, Al Di Meola, Frank Gambale, Herb Alpert, Allan Holdsworth, Mitch Forman and appeared on Yanni's live concert video Tribute in the 1998 World Tour. Joel Taylor is also known for contributing to jingles, such as Coke, Diet Coke, Toyota,Sony, Pacific Bell, IBM, Macintosh, Ford, Mazda, Mercedes Benz, Cadillac, Mobil Link, Kent, Caster, Wrigleys, Wesson Oil, Nestle Television.
Frank Briggs is best known among drummers for his top-selling instructional book/DVD package “The Complete Modern Drum Set,” which has remained in Mel Bay Publications’ top 10 percussion books for the past 22 years along with 6 other titles. Frank has a diverse portfolio, which includes collaborating, writing and composing music - He has worked, gigged, toured and/or recorded with the likes of musicians and organizations such as Pat Boone, Mike Keneally, Cirque Du Soleil, Don Randi, Five for Fighting, Mitchel Forman, Jeff Babko, and many more.
Frank has lent his band leading, music directing, composition and performance skills to Fortune 500 companies American Express, Toyota, GameStop, Disney -- just to name a few.
Frank Briggs is a native of Central New York and settled in southern California where he remains busy as a private instructor, session/live drummer, drum set clinician/coach, and where he produces various projects at his studio in Los Angeles, CA.
During the 2008 recording of Circus of Sound, Frank was brought in to the studio to record on four tracks including the title track.
Nick Menza was a five time, Grammy nominee American drummer best known for his work with thrash metal band Megadeth including recording 1990’s Rust in Peace, 1992’s Countdown to Extinction, 1994's Youthanasia, and 1997's Cryptic Writings. Nick was also a former member of Deltanaut and Rhodes and recorded on Marty Freidman’s three solo albums.
As the son of jazz saxophone great Don Menza, Nick began playing drums at the age of two, at which age he performed at his first public concert when during the intermission someone sat him down on Jack DeJohnette's drums and he proceeded to play. His influences stem from being nurtured around the tutelage of such notables as Buddy Rich, Steve Gadd, Nick Ceroli, Jeff Porcaro and Louie Bellson.
In 2015, Menza officially joined OHM after the passing of drummer David Eagle. For the next year the sound of OHM would be heavily infused with Menza’s and Poland’s distinctly metal roots. Tragically, just as the band was getting into a groove, Menza died on stage of a heart attack while performing with OHM on May 21, 2016.
Though he never had the opportunity to play with OHM, in spirit Gar Samuelson was the first unofficial drummer of the band. When Pag and Poland decided to form OHM in the late 1990s, their dream was to reunite with their old New Yorkers bandmate Samuelson. Unfortunately that opportunity never came as Gar would pass away on July 14, 1999 (Bastille Day) after suffering from health complications.
Gar’s career started with the 6 piece jazz fusion band The New Yorkers in the late 1970s, early 1980s. After meeting with Dave Mustaine and Dave Ellefson of Megadeth in 1984, he joined the band, and Poland soon followed, this being what Mustaine refers to as 'the first real line-up'. Samuelson would go on to serve as the band's drummer until 1987, appearing on the albums Killing Is My Business... and Business Is Good!, and Peace Sells...But Who's Buying?, as well as serving through multiple tours.
Gar's style was heavily influenced by years of jazz training. He was considered a very unorthodox drummer among the other thrash metal bands of the 1980s. After Megadeth he and his brother Stew, along with Billy Brehme, Travis Karcher and Andy Freeman, formed Fatal Opera, which released a self-titled album in 1995 and the Eleventh Hour in 1997.
Long-time friend and bandmate Chris Poland said about Samuelson: "He was a true friend. Everything I know about—time, rhythm and feel—I learned from Gar, so I'll always hear his voice in my music."
Koko Bermejo was a former drummer of the group Warhead, which was the first heavy metal band from Philippines to record an album in 1986. When asked in an interview how the band, OHM, met Koko Bermejo, lead guitarist Chris Poland said it all started when their previous drummer left, and they needed a drummer replacement. Word quickly got out, and Chris found a note from Koko underneath his door saying, “I’m the perfect drummer for your band, dude, so I’ll be down on Tuesday.” Chris originally met Koko in 1993, when Chris was in the valley at ARP studios playing with Bass Player Dave Randi from Damn the Machine, contemplating on his next drummer for his side project, “Ohm.” Although there were a lot of drummers in the building woodshedding all of the time, Koko was the only drummer that Chris would listen to and say, ”Wow, that’s a great drummer!” Chris described him as being different, because of Koko’s various styles of playing. Kok would do Latin music, and then change his playing to Tony Williams style. One day, Chris knocked on Koko’s door, and said, ”Hey, wanna join the band?’’ And he said “OK,” just like that.
David Eagle joined OHM in 1998 after the departure of Koko Bermejo. As fate would have it, David had the studio next-door to the OHM studio. So when it came time for him to jam with OHM, it turned out that he already new all of the songs because he had been listening to their rehearsals through the wall. Eagle’s percussive skills were so dynamic that he helped push OHM into a new era of music. Many fans would joke about Eagles drum set known affectionately as the “hydra” - for its many odd attachments that could include household items such as pots and pans or anything else that made a cool sound.
Eagle spent two separate stints with OHM. In the early 2000s he would take a break from the band. In the late 2000s he would return to replace Kofi Baker and record Tsunami Jams, and remain with the band until his passing.
David has been a percussionist, not only a drummer, for many different groups and artists. Frank Zappa famously defined music as “Decorating time with sound.”. Applying this definition to David Eagle, he has provided the framework for tours and recordings for Tina Turner, Alphonso Johnson, Oingo Boingo, Jan Akkermanm, Willie Bobo, Reeves Gabrels, Gary Hoey, the Italian artists Ricardo Cocciante, Perigeo, Rino Gaetano, and the Czech artist Milos Dolezal. David has also authored and taught on three instructional videos, “Drum Basics”, “Learn To Play Drums”, and “Start Me Playing Drums” in addition to being the drummer for OHM.
David Eagle was known for his inventiveness, creativity and musicality. He was well loved in the music community. Known to be vivacious and outgoing with a passionate spirit.
David has two Sons; Jarret and Adam Eagle. David Eagle died due to complications of a heart attack on August 3, 2015.
At the tender age of 6, Kofi Baker proved that he could definitely live up to his legendary last name, as he played with his drumming icon father, Ginger Baker, on a 1975 UK television show “The Old Grey Whistle Test.” The last name, “Baker,” has often been associated with “drumming excellence,” and although Kofi is always compared to his father, his drive, dedication, and substantial skills has made him a unique, unmatched style that can not be touched. His drumming career started in the early 80’s, when he toured throughout Europe with his father, performing various drum duets. Kofi Baker is known for his additional bands he’s created, such as Kofi Baker Jazz band, which frequently had Ric Fierabracci or Pag on bass, and Bobby Rowbless on guitar, The Kofi Baker Bluesion Band, session work, and the Kofi Baker Drum School.
Joel Taylor, an American drummer, is known in the jazz/fusion genre as a “force to be reckoned with.” Joel has always been involved in music, starting from when he was apart of the Mcdonald’s All-American High School Band, performing at places, such as Carnegie Hall. He graduated from a top credited school, Berklee College of Music in 1982, and privately studied with accomplished drummers Gary Chaffee and Alan Dawson in Boston, Massachusetts. Joel Taylor has toured or recorded with artists such as Brian Bromberg, Mike Garson, Al Di Meola, Frank Gambale, Herb Alpert, Allan Holdsworth, Mitch Forman and appeared on Yanni's live concert video Tribute in the 1998 World Tour.Joel Taylor is also known for contributing to jingles, such as Coke, Diet Coke, Toyota,Sony, Pacific Bell, IBM, Macintosh, Ford, Mazda, Mercedes Benz, Cadillac, Mobil Link, Kent, Caster, Wrigleys, Wesson Oil, Nestle Television.
Frank Briggs is best known among drummers for his top-selling instructional book/DVD package “The Complete Modern Drum Set,” which has remained in Mel Bay Publications’ top 10 percussion books for the past 22 years along with 6 other titles. Frank has a diverse portfolio, which includes collaborating, writing and composing music - He has worked, gigged, toured and/or recorded with the likes of musicians and organizations such as Pat Boone, Mike Keneally, Cirque Du Soleil, Don Randi, Five for Fighting, Mitchel Forman, Jeff Babko, and many more.
Frank has lent his band leading, music directing, composition and performance skills to Fortune 500 companies American Express, Toyota, GameStop, Disney -- just to name a few.
Frank Briggs is a native of Central New York and settled in southern California where he remains busy as a private instructor, session/live drummer, drum set clinician/coach, and where he produces various projects at his studio in Los Angeles, CA.
Nick Menza was a five time, Grammy nominee American drummer best known for his work with thrash metal band Megadeth including recording 1990’s Rust in Peace, 1992’s Countdown to Extinction, 1994's Youthanasia, and 1997's Cryptic Writings. Nick was also a former member of Deltanaut and Rhodes and recorded on Marty Freidman’s three solo albums.
As the son of jazz musician Don Menza, Nick began playing drums at the age of two, at which age he performed at his first public concert when during the intermission someone sat him down on Jack DeJohnette's drums and he proceeded to play. His influences stem from being nurtured around the tutelage of such notables as Buddy Rich, Steve Gadd, Nick Ceroli, Jeff Porcaro and Louie Bellson.
In 2015, Menza officially joined OHM after the passing of drummer David Eagle. For the next year the sound of OHM would be heavily infused with Menza’s and Poland’s distinctly metal roots. Tragically, just as the band was getting into a groove, Menza died on stage of a heart attack while performing with OHM on May 21, 2016.
