OSI (band)
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Osi_office_of_strategic_influence.jpg
OSI is an American progressive metal band formed by Fates Warning guitarist Jim Matheos in 2003. He named the band after a short-lived U.S. government agency named Office of Strategic Influence.
Matheos recruited Kevin Moore, who had played keyboards on various Fates Warning albums in the 1990s and early 2000s, and was a founding member of the band Dream Theater before he quit in 1994, to play keyboards. Independently, Matheos also asked Dream Theater drummer Mike Portnoy to lend his talents to the project, who accepted without knowing that Moore was to be involved. When they recorded a cover version of "Set the Controls for the Heart of the Sun" in the studio, it was the first time they had collaborated on a piece of music in almost ten years.
Sean Malone was recruited to fill the role of bassist for the band, and the only position left open was that of a vocalist. Originally Matheos wanted Daniel Gildenlow of Pain of Salvation to be involved, and it was announced to the public that he was to be the full-time vocalist for OSI, but due to prior commitments encroaching on his time in the band, he was forced to quit before the album was finished. Steven Wilson (of Porcupine Tree) was asked to replace Gildenlow, but he felt the music that had been written to that point was not to his liking, and declined the offer to sing in the band. Eventually it was decided that in addition to playing keyboards on the album, Kevin Moore would also sing.
As it turned out, Matheos managed to convince Wilson to sing on one track of the album, "shutDOWN".
Fates Warning often performs the song "shutDOWN" and "The New Math" at their concerts with singer Ray Alder on vocals and Mike Portnoy guesting on drums.
In late 2005, a second album from OSI is due to be released. Kevin Moore is returning, however, Mike Portnoy and Sean Malone will not be participating. Portnoy will be touring with Dream Theater and Malone teaches music theory at the University of Oregon. It is also still unclear whether Moore will continue vocal duties or the band will use a different singer such as Gildenlow or even Steven Wilson.
Line-up
- Jim Matheos (Fates Warning) - guitars
- Mike Portnoy (Dream Theater) - drums
- Kevin Moore (Chroma Key, ex-Dream Theater) keyboards
- Sean Malone (Gordian Knot, ex-Cynic) bass
- Steven Wilson (Porcupine Tree) - guest vocals on the track "shutDOWN".
Discography
External links
- OSI Official Website (http://www.osiband.com)