Jam Cruise Journal: A Night with OHMphrey
I’ll get my full report on Day Two of Jam Cruise 8 at 5PM, but I just wanted to tell you all about the insane OHMphrey set that took place last night.
OHMphrey rocked the pool stage from 10PM – 12:15AM and it was an amazing performance. Jake Cinninger, Joel Cummins and Kris Myers of Umphrey’s teamed up with Chris Poland (Megadeath, OHM) and Robertino “Pags” Pagliari to form OHMphrey in Jan. ’08. These guys slid from the head of one tune on their album to the next with massive jams in between. Cinninger was clearly in heaven getting to play with one of his idols (Poland.)
[All photos by Dave Vann]
There was so much communication going on between all of the members throughout and you would’ve thought Jake, Kris and Joel had been playing with Pags and Poland for years. I’d say at the first your typical Jam Cruise crowd seemed a bit freaked out by the heaviness and free-form nature of the music, but folks came around pretty quickly as they moved from light to heavy jams with ease.
Towards the end of the set, Pags stepped to the mic and delivered a Spoonful that would’ve made Jack Bruce proud. It was crazy to hear Kris play a straight blues beat. He was such a whirl of motion all set long but really laid into the straight Spoonful beat. As with every song, each member of the band took a solo in Spoonful. READ ON for more on OHMphrey…
The highlight of my night came after Joel told us they had time for two more songs. Jake plays a chord and my jaw dropped. Was this really happening? Are these guys really going to give Stevie Ray Vaughan’s Lenny a go? Hell fucking yes my friends – OHMphrey tore the shit of Lenny. I hadn’t seen a UM Lenny since 3/11/06 and I went ballistic. Poland took the first solo followed by Joel followed by Pags followed by Jake. Each solo was so intense and beautiful.
It would be a travesty if this band didn’t play together again, they owned it from the minute they stepped on stage. There’s obvious chemistry and I’m glad to report they are recording another album and promise to play more shows. I spoke with the guys for Hidden Track and I’ll get that chat up post-cruise.
Scott Bernstein
Scott Bernstein co-founded Hidden Track in October 2006 and was managing editor until taking over as EiC in January 2008. Scotty also writes for Relix Magazine and curates YEMblog.com.
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ohm rules my friend!! ive been observing chris poland’s work throuhout the years and im proud to be alive and enjoying the delicious art of chris poland&rob pagliari.
cheers from Morocco.
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