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OJM
Biography
OJM is an Italian Stoner band, based in Treviso, founded by David Martin and Max Ear in 1997. Since the beginning, both Italian music press and fans have proved interest in the band, because of its unique style characterized by rough guitars with a psychedelic feel and hints of Blue Cheer, Black Sabbath, MC5, and Grand Funk Railroad.
Their debut recording Extended Playing was released by Agitato Records in 1999 and sold over 1,000 copies. In March 2002, OJM’s debut full-length Heavy came out via Beard of Stars Records. The producer is cult Italian musician Paul Chain. It sold out in a few months. "The Sleeper" official video was on rotation on several music channels. The collaboration with Paul Chain continued when Max Ear (drums) and Matteo Bordin (bass guitar) recorded two tracks on his album Park Of Reason (2002 Beyond Productions), and they toured with him around Italy. The band started to be known outside the Italian borders, helped by the worldwide distribution of their label Beard Of Stars and a lot of good reviews appeared in foreign music press such as Kerrang!, stonerrock.com, Stonedgods, Greek and French Metal Hammer, etc. Meanwhile, OJM’s musical attitude began to explore more Rock'n'Roll-oriented sounds, and the result is a split 7" with the English band Gorilla, released by Beard Of Stars Records.
In October 2003, the band entered the studio to record The Light Album, released via Go Down Records in September 2004. The adjective "light" marks a new musical genre. The band moved towards Garage Rock and Psychedelic Rock, keeping its impact strong and rough: rage turned into speedup! The video for the single "Talking About Revolution" appeared on several Italian music TV networks, gaining remarkable critical acclaim. OJM can boast hundreds of gigs and two UK tours, intense and wild performances in support of 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 others. At this point, the lineup changed: guitarist Frank Puglie and bassist Matteo Bordin quit the band.
New additions are Alessandro Tedesco on guitars and Andrew Pozzy on bass. They strengthened the band's groove, giving it a psychedelic, stoner, and R’n’R feel. The sound is now Zeppelin-oriented, but also influenced by The Sonics. In July 2005, OJM recorded the 7" vinyl I Got Time featuring Californian musician Brant Bjork. In March 2006, the band began work on a new album with an outstanding producer: Michael Davis from the legendary MC5. Under The Thunder was released on CD via Go Down Records in November 2007 and sold more than 3,000 copies worldwide. The vinyl edition was published by Garage Records. The band toured throughout Europe. In April 2008, OJM's first live album, Live In France, came out on LP and digitally via Go Down Records. In July of that year, OJM performed at Germany's biggest Stoner festival "Stoned From The Underground" sharing the stage with The Atomic Bitchwax and Witchcraft.
In December 2008, OJM embarked on a 10-concert tour with visual artist eeviac. This special performance saw the band surrounded by four screens and minimal stage décor able to merge sound and color into a psychedelic atmosphere. Then the band went on hiatus. Their return involved a lineup change: David and Max maintained their usual roles behind the microphone and drums, while Andrew Pozzy picked up the guitar, replacing Alessandro Tedesco, who quit the band to follow a new personal path. The brand new addition is Stefano Pasky (Poison Deluxe) on piano-bass and Hammond organ. He has shifted OJM's classic trademark evolving towards deeply psychedelic rock and Soul.
In September 2010, OJM's fifth studio album Volcano came out produced by the Californian musician Dave Catching (Eagles Of Death Metal, QOTSA) and released by Go Down Records. Between 2010 and 2013 the band toured in Europe. Stefano De Lucchi joined the band on bass guitar to replace Stefano Pasky in 2012. In the same year, OJM appeared on the tribute album Artisti Vari Risuonano i Frigidaire Tango, playing the song "The Tiger" by the Italian New Wave band in their way.
In 2014 their sophomore album Heavy was reissued featuring the bonus track "Hard Ducks". This song was included in the compilation "Acid Sounds Vol.1" by Vincebus Eruptum Recordings two years before. OJM decided to embark on a reunion tour engaging the original lineup with Frank Puglie on guitar and Christian 'Boss' De Bortoli on bass guitar. They hit the road for twenty gigs in Italy, Germany, and Switzerland. At the end of 2015, the anthology collection 18 was released. It features 18 songs from the band's discography, plus a new version of "I’ll Be Long" and the jam session "Jam Of Wine" with Brant Bjork on guitar. Four promotional gigs followed, including opening for Eagles Of Death Metal in Cesena and The Dictators NYC in Treviso.
From now on, the band suspended its activity and the members took on new musical projects: Ananda Mida for Max Ear and Alessandro Tedesco, and The Sade for Andrew Pozzy. Co-founder and frontman David Martin retired to devote himself to his Prosecco vineyards. In March 2020, Max Ear found a good live recording of the Volcano's lineup, captured in Bavaria in 2011. Live At Rocket Club is their latest LP, released on February 19, 2021.
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