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OJM
Biography
OJM is an Italian stoner band from Treviso, founded in 1997 by David Martin and Max Ear. Since the very beginning both the Italian music press and rock'n'roll scene show a certain interest toward the band, due to its personal style featuring rough guitars with a psychedelic touch and hints of Blue Cheer, Black Sabbath, MC5 and Grand Funk.
Its first recording Extended Playing is released by Agitato Records in 1999 and it sells over 1.000 copies. In March 2002 OJM’s debut full length album Heavy comes out via Beard Of Stars Records. The producer of the album is the Italian cult musician Paul Chain. Another success, sold-out in a few months and the videoclip "The Sleeper" is on rotation on several music channels. The partnership with Paul Chain continues when Max Ear (drums) and Matteo Bordin (bass guitar) record two tracks of his album Park Of Reason released via Beyond Productions. After that they tour with him across Italy.
Thanks to Heavy, the band starts being acclaimed outside Italian borders, helped by the worldwide distribution of Beard Of Stars and by a large number of good reviews that appear in foreign music press such as Kerrang!, stonerrock.com, Stonedgods, Greek and French Metal Hammer, etc. Meanwhile OJM’s musical attitude starts exploring different soundscapes, more rock'n'roll-oriented and the result is a 7" split with the English band Gorilla, released by Beard Of Stars Records.
In October 2003 the band is back to the studio to work on The Light Album which is released in September 2004 via Go Down Records. The adjective "light" marks a subtle change in its musical orientation, turning the initial stoner attitude to a garage and psychedelic sound, but still keeping its loud and rough impact: rage twists into speedup! The videoclip of the single track "Talking About Revolution" throws OJM on several Italian music TV networks, giving significant critical acclaims. As far as its live career goes, OJM can boast hundreds of gigs and 2 UK tours, intense and wild performances supporting several legendary bands such as DKT/MC5, Iggy And The Stooges, The Datsuns, Motorpsycho, Brant Bjork, Lords Of Altamont, Marlene Kuntz, Hardcore Superstar, Nebula, Josiah, The Fleshtones and many more. At this point the line-up changes. Guitarist Frank Puglie and bassist Matteo Bordin leave the band.
The new entries are Alex Germany on guitars and Andrew Pozzy on bass. They enforce its impact and groove, giving a psychedelic, stoner and rock’n’roll touch. The sound now is Zeppelin-oriented but influenced by The Sonics as well! In July 2005 OJM records the 7" vinyl I Got Time featuring the Californian musician Brant Bjork. In March 2006 the band begins to work on the new album with a remarkable producer: Michael Davis from the legendary MC5. Under The Thunder is released in November 2007 for Go Down Records and sells more than 3.000 copies worldwide, coming out on vinyl via Garage Records too. The promotional tour takes the band across Europe. In April 2008, the first OJM's live album Live In France is released, initially in digital download only and then in 500 numbered copies limited edition LP via Go Down Records. In July of the same year OJM performs at the most important German stoner festival "Stoned From The Underground" sharing the stage with The Atomic Bitchwax and Witchcraft.
In December 2008 it embarks on a 10-show tour with visual artist eeviac. This special show sees the band surrounded by four screens and a minimal stage décor able to merge sounds and colours in a psychedelic atmosphere, performed live by eeviac.
The band goes to hiatus, but the return features a very special line-up change. David and Max keep their usual roles behind microphone and drums, while Andrew Pozzy picks up the guitar, in substitution of Alex, who leaves the band to follow new personal path. The breakthrough new entry is Stefano Pasky (Poison Deluxe), who handles piano-bass and Hammond organ. He moves the classic OJM "trademark" through evolving with a more psychedelic and less speed-rock'n'roll vein, proposing a more vintage and less aggressive hard rock.
In September 2010 comes out OJM's 5th album Volcano, produced by the Californian musician Dave Catching (Eagles Of Death Metal, QOTSA) and released by Go Down Records. Between 2010 and 2013 the band takes Volcano on tour in Europe. Stefano De Lucchi joins the line-up on guitar bass to replace Stefano Pasky in 2012. In the same year OJM participate at the Artisti Vari Risuonano i Frigidaire Tango interpreting in their own way the song "The Tiger" to pay homage to the iconic Italian new wave band.
While a reissue of Heavy comes out with the bonus track "Hard Ducks" in 2014. The same piece that was included in the compilation "Acid Sounds vol.1" by Vincebus Eruptum Recordings two years before. OJM decide to embark on a reunion tour engaging the original line-up of that album. Thus, Frank Puglie on guitar and Christian 'Boss' De Bortoli on bass guitar are back on stage for twenty dates in Italy, Germany and Switzerland.
At the end of 2015 the anthological collection entitled 18 was released. This is not just a collection of 18 songs extracted from the entire discography of the band, but it also includes a new version of "I’ll Be Long" and moreover a jam session with Brant Bjork on guitar, entitled "Jam Of Wine". Four promotional dates follow across Italy, including the opening act for Eagles Of Death Metal in Cesena and for The Dictators NYC in Treviso.
From now on, the band suspends its activity and the members undertake new musical projects: Ananda Mida by Max Ear and Alex Germany; The Sade by Andrew Pozzy. Co-founder and frontman David Martin retires to devote himself to his Prosecco vineyards. In March 2020, Max Ear finds out a good live recording with the Volcano line-up captured in Bavaria in 2011. Live At Rocket Club is the latest vinyl release, due out on February 19, 2021 via Go Down Records.
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