Mark your calendar for the Concert in the Park show at Island Park on Thursday, July 24. You’ll be going for a good KOZ!
The KOZ, a Eugene-area classic rock band featuring the songs of Rush, Journey, and Van Halen, returns to the stage with their arena-style rock – and they put their own spin on it all.
Lead guitar player Mike Harrison had a vision of a “super group” back in 2008. He talked to keyboard player Jim Cornelius, and they created the band Sonic Storm.
In 2012, that “storm” transformed into The KOZ!
If you’re a local rock ’n’ roll fan, you’ve surely seen or heard of Cornelius. He has played with many rock bands, including Millenium, No Quarter, and Import. He moved to Eugene in 1992, where he met Harrison and joined the band The Element. Later, he met current band mate Andy Ward and they formed The Symtoms, which had a 14-year run before forming Sonic Storm.
Harrison has played with several Eugene-area bands during the last decade, including Hard Drive and Rock-it. After forming The Koz, he says he prides himself on performing songs by artists that most bands don’t take the time to do authentic covers.
After bouncing around Klamath Falls and Coos Bay, Ward reunited with Cornelius in 2008 with Sonic Storm, which, of course, would eventually morph into The KOZ!
“I believe that this is the most talented group of musicians I have ever played with, and I am having the most fun ever,” Ward said on his home page.
Bass player Ken McGinley has also bounced around from band to band since moving to Oregon in 1981. His first band was Fallstarr, followed by Rival and Eastman. Then he joined Steppin’ Out and Taylors Crossing before joining forces with Sonic Storm.
Roy Eggleston started playing the drums in middle school and has never slowed down. Born and raised in the Willamette Valley, he has played with Steppin’ Out, On the Rocks, Happy Daze, Remember When, Johnny Law & The Rebels, Coup de Ville, Rock-it, Hard Drive, and Larry DeReux.
“We are here to make a statement,” Eggleston said. “Good rock and roll never gets old, it gets better as time goes on. I love this music and the guys in this band!”
And the beat goes on …
