H R H - I N T E R V I E W S

Jim Matheos OSI Guitarist
Interview May 2006

Matthew: Wanted to take a minute and read my review of your band’s new album Free published on our website 2 weeks ago.

Jim: Go ahead.

Matthew: The coolest, smoothest rock album in years! Pretty strong words, huh? Yep, but in the case of OSI they couldn't be more accurate. What you get is slow, smooth heavy rock n' roll with some kind of indiscernible edge to it. And it's so damn good. The vocals of Kevin Moore are as good as when you first heard Chris Cornell of Soundgarden or even Eddie Vedder of Pearl Jam 15 years ago. It's gruff and dark but also realistic and supernatural. The style of music is unlike anything you've heard; it's sort of a melancholy version of New Order meets Corrosion of Conformity.

Each and every song rocks to the core, and works on whatever level it is intended to. Especially the title track "Free," where Moore's voice is amazing and the riffs and tone of Jim Matheos surge forward at nice controlled yet violent speeds. There also is a ton of atmosphere on this album with many sound effects making the tracks feel as good as they sound. Are you wondering right about now, what the hell is he talking about? Well if so, just go online and purchase this CD because you won't be disappointed. Oh, and expert drummer Mike Portnoy plays on several of the tracks. Joey Vera plays some mad bass guitar on several of the tracks too, and damn does he lay a tight deep line. Much of the keyboard work make the sound seem techno based but not too much that you ever forget
it's rock n' roll. The best track may be "Go" where the song has a 1991 Depeche Mode feel to the music and Moore's delivery is exceptional. Wow, what a great album. This is already front runner for 2006 Top album! Yep yep, go and pick up this natural yet exotic work of art!

Jim: WOW. Thanks for the compliments; we were hoping people would “get it.”

Matthew: What was the creation process like?

Jim: The creation though was very different than most bands. I created the music for the songs mostly on guitar and then sent the songs to Kevin Moore to finish. Sometimes he changed the songs significantly and others he barely changed. Moore also wrote all the lyrics and laid the vocals. We actually never played a single thing together.

Matthew: Wow. I could have never guessed that is how they were created. I have been critical in the past with bands that created their albums that way, (Stream of Passion) but this album suffers from absolutely no lack of cohesion. Some of these amazing songs seem to be the product of almost a garage jam band scenario. Next thing is the brilliant lyrics and vocals of Moore. Were you happy with these additions? Was there any friction when he changed a song?

Jim: Oh yes I like Kevin’s vocals as much as any of his fans do. I’m actually a big fan of his. As far as friction, we had many discussions but we worked so well together before and both trust each others creative senses, so it all was pretty smooth.

Matthew: Normally I prefer harder heavier music like death/speed metal full of guitar leads and solo work, but even though this album has little of that, every song on this album is excellent. Vera plays the hell out of the bass on several songs on this album; where is he from? Moore’s delivery is slow and easy and each lyric is well thought out.
Do you have any idea what these songs are actually about?

Jim: There are actually several guitar solos on the album. Vera plays bass with us in Fates Warning. As for Kevin’s vocal style it is very unique and appealing. You would have to ask Kevin the meaning of the lyrics as he was responsible for those.

Matthew: The solos on the album blend into the rhythms so well and never try to be flashy that they are almost transparent. The songs could stand on their own without them!
Any plans for a tour?

Jim: Yes certainly we want to do some European dates and America in the Fall, but there are a lot of challenges to that. We have never played this music together and much of it was added through electronic devices. We are really going to have to put a lot of preparation into figuring out how to replicate these songs live on tour.

Matthew: I just wanted to state that the album you have created is wonderful. I have never heard anything quite like it. It’s laid back, melancholy yet extremely positive. This album should certainly be a big hit, as it is unique and very well written.

Jim: Thanks Matthew. We really appreciate your support.