Oz (band)

Oz (written OZ) is a heavy metal band from Finland who formed in 1977 and split in 1991. In 2010 drummer Mark Ruffneck (born Pekka Mark), bassist and main songwriter Jay C. Blade (born Jukka Homi, but has changed his name to Jukka Lewis) and vocalist Ape De Martini (born Tapani Hämäläinen) re-formed the band together with Costello Hautamäki and Markku Petander.

They made a splash with their 1983 album Fire In The Brain, a New Wave Of British Heavy Metal-flavored energetic metal affair that won over critics and fans alike. The subsequent albums, however, failed to elicit the same response, and the band faded from worldwide view. Now the band is back and they are going to record a new album, which would be started in May (2010) and should be released in end of 2011.

2011, the band is confirmed to play at two Swedish rock festivals. Swedenrock Festival 8-11 June and Muskelrock 4 June.

Line-up

Current members

• Ape De Martini (Tapani Hämäläinen) – lead vocals (1977–1991, 2010–present)
• Jay C. Blade (Jukka Lewis) – bass, vocals (1982–1987, 2010–present)
• Mark Ruffneck (Pekka Mark) – drums (1977–1991, 2010–present)
• Markku Petander – guitars (2010–present)

• On Stage
• Michel Santunione - guitar
• John Berg - guitar

Former members

• Costello Hautamäki - guitars (2010)
• Spooky Wolff – guitars (1983–1987)
• Speedy Foxx – guitars (1983–1987)
• Esa Niva – guitars (1982–1983)
• Kari Elo – guitars (1982)
• Fredrik Thörnholm – bass (1990–1991)
• Michael Lundholm – guitars (1990–1991)
• Tauno Vajavaara – bass (1982)
• Tobbe Moen – bass (1990)
• Jörgen Schelander – keyboards (1990–1991)

Discography

• Heavy Metal Heroes (1982)
• Fire in the Brain (1983)
• III Warning (1984)
• Turn the Cross Upside Down (1985)
• Decibel Storm (1986)
• Roll the Dice (1991)
• Promo CD Dominator (2011)
• Burning Leather (2011)

See also

• New Wave Of British Heavy Metal

External links

• The band's official website
• Page on the band on Metal Archives
• Real Audio Files of Fire in The Brain