PSI-Paul Stranahan's Insomnia is a drummer led band that is dedicated to performing all original, adventuresome, and creative music. The band draws from diverse styles of music including jazz, progressive rock, fusion, avant-garde, metal, funk, and anything else it might like to on any given night. The group strikes a balance between structured compositions and free form improvisations. Guitar and bass round out the band. PSI formed as an offshoot of the Paul Stranahan Trio in order to focus on original compositions. While the Trio will perform originals, it’s focus is more on straight ahead jazz and some fusion. PSI however draws influences from and is inspired by such musicians and groups as Frank Zappa, John Zorn, Meshuggah, John Scofield, Claudia Quintet, King Crimson, Weather Report and Miles Davis.
Paul Stranahan has been playing percussion professionally for 20 years. He has been a band leader since 1999 when he decided he wanted to focus on the kind of creative music that is his passion. Before that, Paul had played in bands ranging in style from indie rock, reggae, country, blues, R+B, big band and Top 40. In addition to PSI’s self titled CD, Paul has released a well reviewed CD called “Climbing Somewhere” which has eleven songs all written by Paul. In 2000 the Trio released their debut CD titled “Solar.” It featured seven jazz standards and two of Paul’s originals. He has also played drums on and written songs for the self titled CD of the experimental band Broadview Collective and the jazz-rock-fusion band Rare Blend Cds “Infinity” and “Evolution Theory.” Paul will be featured on drums on the upcoming CD “Passage” by Jeremey Poparad who is a collaborator with Paul in PSI. Paul has also been interviewed and received playing time on many different radio stations such as WCLV, WCPN, WRUW, WJCU and WCSB. He graduated from the Conservatory of Music at Capital University and also teaches private percussion lessons. His main drumming influences are Elvin Jones, Tony Williams and Bill Bruford.
Other Musicians on the Self Titled
PSI Paul Stranahan’s Insomnia Cd
Jeremy Bleich (electric bass on tracks 1-6, 9-11) incorporates a wide palette of culture, ancient and modern instrumentst, traditions and form as well as electronic manipulation into the creative process of performing, composing and recording music. His approach to the electric bass and the oud have earned him a reputation internationally as an innovator. In addition to PSI, Jeremy is a member of the critically acclaimed group birth and has performed and/or recorded with Coung Vu (Pat Metheny Group), Joe Maneri, Jeff Coffen (Bela Fleck), Chris Jonas, Carmen Castaldi (Joe Lovano), Brook Martinez (barky!), Kevin McCarthy and Nashville songwriters Rick Elias (Ragamuffins) and Jason White. He has recorded for MCA Records, Hopscotch Records, High Mayhem and INS labels. He has a degree in music composition from Cleveland State University.
Chris Bober (electric guitar on tracks 1-6, 9-11) is a very versatile and creative player equally at home in jazz and rock and avant-garde. He’s performed with jazz bassist
Ray Brown, Shahida Nurullah (voice), Carman Castaldi (Drums), Randy Johnston (Guitar), Joe Cully (Tabla), Kip Reid (El. Bass), Gary April (Bass), and Joe Deninzon (El. Violin). In addition to PSI he’s been a member of several groups that include The Lost State of Franklin (Original Country),Beautiful Loser (Avant-pop), Kevin McCarthy
(Singer/Songwriter), Tone and Niche (Rock/Pop), The Paul Stranahan Trio (feat. Jeremy Bleich), and The Afrodesiatics (Funk/Latin). He has a music degree from Bowling Green University.
Mike Barna (electric guitar on tracks 7 and 8) is a composer, and educator who graduated with honors from Berklee College of Music with a major in composition. He then went on to earn his Masters Degree from Cleveland State University. Since then he has been composing for various combinations of instruments (including electronic), performed with several groups, and has recorded nine CD's of original music. He plays in the improvisational and experimental band Broadview Collective with Paul and Jeff Charmek and has recorded a CD with that group.
Jeff Charmek (electric guitar on tracks 7 and 8) has played with many bands spanning numerous genres including jazz, blues, pop, heavy metal, psychedelic and fusion to name a few. He strives to constantly find new ground both compositionally and technically on the guitar. His music spans a wide range of genres and techniques, all with a style that is instantly recognizable. He also performs with Broadview Collective with Mike and Paul and played on that group’s self titled CD. He currently has four solo albums and many others in conjunction with other musicians.
Paul Stranahan's PSI (#287)
2010-04-12
Joe Lang from Abstract Logix
Paul Stranahan’s PSI finds the drummer in a rotating trio setting revisiting and trudging the path of the sometimes ethereal, sometimes aggressive modern jazz idiom.
With compatriots Jeremy Bleich (bass) and guitarists Chris Bober, Mike Barna and Jeff Charmek, the Insomnia ensemble blurs the line between composition and improvisation while seamlessly moving between consonant and dissonant textures.
The first half of the album supported by seven-string axe maestro Bober treads the textural territory blazed in the past by intellectual, introspective and at times aggressive guitarists like Bill Frisell, or David Torn on their earlier ECM releases. That said, it also shows some influence of modern cats like Ben Monder or Wayne Krantz.
Melodies on tracks like “Question Mark” and “Prescient” float around Stranahan’s gentle ride but on tracks like “Free Form Freak Out,” (which is more than just a clever title) and “Who Knows?” Barna and Charmek go from Hendrix styled jagged fuzzy madness to atonal avant garde madness. The closer “Cold And Distant” brings to mind some of the first Tony Williams’ Lifetime sound with its incessant drumming aggression and lilting melodies. As a drummer leading an ensemble with self-penned compositions he is occupying a mantle that few can approach.
As such, PSI is another step in the elevation in the drummer as an integral voice in modern improvised music and a very worthy listen.
Reviews of the CD from PSI-Paul Stranahan’s Insomnia
He's a tenacious jazz drummer, instructor and the rhythmic anchor for local acts Rare Blend and Broadview Collective. He's Paul Stranahan and he's got a flair for jazz fusion and King Crimsonesque progressive rock; in this new collection of tunes on PSI, he synthesizes all of it in a wakeful bit of melodic prowess. From the thrilling opening cut "Blue" -- with some exceptional Chris Bober guitar leads and space-rock nods -- the sonics suggest you leave that Ambien in the medicine cabinet. That energy informs/powers "Free Form Freak Out" (with its shades of Zappa), "Sojourn," "Mann, wo ist mein Auto?" and "You're Getting on My Nerves," which clearly owes a cup of espresso to Robert Fripp and the 80s "quartet Crimson" lineup.
Does PSI abbreviate the band's name or stand for pound per square inch? This 11-track disc is compelling and forceful enough to suggest the latter in some parts. Fans of prog and fusion will love the peaks, valleys and iconoclastic shading -- not to mention the fact that each member of the virtuoso band manages to avoid stepping on the others' toes. With experimental jazz acts like John Scofield, the Bad Plus, Alex Skolnick Trio, Charlie Hunter, Esbjörn Svensson Trio and Medeski Martin & Wood hitting their collective strides, it's hard not to think of PSI and Stranahan's offbeat angles. Whoever's booking him locally should be losing sleep... looking for an opening slot on an upcoming tour for one of those acts, that is.
Experience Paul Stranahan’s Insomnia this Saturday, June 14 at 9PM at Pete’s Tavern, 1318 Warrensville Center Rd., Cleveland Heights. The drummer, composer, band leader, marimba player and teacher leads his act through two mind-bending sets (and while you're at Pete's, get dinner. Their food is excellent). Call 291-0400 for show details or visit Stranahan online at http://www.paulstranahan.com.
From Cool Cleveland Managing Editor Peter Chakerian peterATcoolcleveland.com
Cleveland Free Times
Review of PSI-Paul Stranahan’s Insomnia
This hard-working local jazz drummer also plays with Rare Blend and the Broadview Collective. With this collection, he mixes prog rock and jazz with unusual aplomb. Despite reference to insomnia, these tunes are a wake-up call. That's apparent from the opening track, "Blue," which features wicked guitar work and spacey interludes that are mind-expanding to say the least. That energy also drifts through "Mann, wo ist mein Auto?" and the Crimson-like "You're Getting on My Nerves." With progressive jazz acts like the Bad Plus getting national acclaim for expanding the genre's boundaries, these local heroes deserve significant praise, too. - Jeff Niesel
Paul Stranahan's Insomnia performs at 8:30 p.m. Friday, April 18 at Pete's Tavern (1318 Warrensville Center Rd., 216.291.0400, petes-tavern.com).
Read more...