Glenn M. Taylor, guitar, keyboards, vocals * Bob Cianci, drums, vocals Chris Roselle, guitar, harmonica, vocals Russ Crapella, guitar, vocals Gary Evans, keyboards, harmonica, bass, vocals Jeff Guenther, guitar, bass, vocals | Mike Guaragna, bass, guitar, vocals Rhonda Grindell, drums, vocals Pepe Hernandez, bass, vocals Sean Jenness, guitar, vocals |
Christopher Bolger, guitar, bass, vocals * Joe Alexander, guitar, vocals Al Egizi, guitar, vocals Keith Theall, bass, vocals Dave Hirschberg, drums, vocals Jerry DeLisio, saxophone(s), flute, vocals Ron Weinstein, guitar, bass, harmonica, vocals Brian Wiley, bass, vocals Lenny Kirk, drums, vocals Don Guinta, drums, vocals Joe Coghlan, drums, guitar, vocals Scott Calvert, saxophone(s), woodwinds, vocals Andrei Koribanics, drums, vocals Tom DePalma, saxophone(s), woodwinds, vocals John Frondelli, drums, guitar, vocals Ethan Maayan, drums, vocals Kevin Ellman, drums, vocals Bill Winters, guitar, bass, harmonica, trumpet, vocals Matteo Varano, saxophone(s), woodwinds, vocals, percussion * Indicates original Kootz / OMJ band-member; (see history) |
Dave Hirschberg - Drums, vocals
David-H comes from a very talented musical family... and it has been said that the reason he was born premature, was that his mom was just-plain 'sick and tired' of him banging on her womb as if it were a snare drum. Thankfully, on June 7th, 1970… she finally got a break… well at least for a little while. Boxes, pots & pans, the kitchen table and the hallway walls were all 'fair game'… Just about anything li'l-Dave could 'keep a beat on'… he most-surely would! Unfortunately, for all his loved-ones, that hasn’t changed all that much over the years!
David lived for his first-eight years in Queens, New York, before the family 'moved-out' to the idyllic-suburbs of Northvale, NJ in 1978. Through the 80's, young-Dave developed his drumming skills by playing along with many jazz fusion albums, in particular, one that his father, Barry (an accomplished musician himself, whose credits include the likes of Screaming Jay Hawkins and The Critters) had produced. 'Dad' was also playing regularly with a popular doo-wop band named 'Replay'… and THAT… is where Dave became 'smitten' with 'the-skins'! Given the unforgettable-opportunity to sit behind the band’s chrome Ludwig 5-piece-kit, it set-off a 'spark' in the boy… and all-of-a-sudden, Dave's jazz-playing took a back-seat to rock 'n roll and metal… Now, 'poor-mom' REALLY had to suffer!
Fortunately, her son didn't neglect his studies… and graduated from Northern Valley / Old Tappan High School in 1988! After 'snagging his sheepskin', Mr.-H continued to 'ascend the musical-ladder', forming his own cover-band, "Vitamin F", as well as a pair of original 'metal' bands, "Silenced" and "Kalibos" in the early 90's.
Continuing to 'hone his craft', DH drew on influences from a 'host of drummers'… ranging from Iron Maiden’s Nicko McBrain… to Crossing Point’s (and 'Dave-Fave') Benny Graham (remember that jazz-fusion album young-Davey was 'glued-to' in the 80's)… The result: A hybrid-style 'all his own', which Dave has applied to his efforts with the likes of Dave Fields, Nikki Armstrong, Steve Johnson, Saron Crenshaw, Oz Noy, Melvin Sparks… and now, "The Kootz"… to name more-than-a-few.
Along with his percussive background, Dave has one of the most powerful 'set of pipes' around, sporting a 'true' 4-octave range and an ability to sing any style of music! Mr. Hirschberg has truly put his 'stamp', on the NJ-music scene! Whether it be with one of his own bands; 'Shaved Ham' or 'Just Ride'… his original metal-act, RUST, a feature-performance in a Nikki Armstrong tribute-show, a local jam… or center-stage with "The Kootz"… you just HAVE-to c'mon out… and see this lad play & sing!
Besides his top-notch musicianship, Dave is also an accomplished 'winter-sportsman'; He's been the Snowboard-Director at the Campgaw Mountain Ski Area in Mahwah, NJ for the past 20 years. By-day, he's Art Director at Telemundo (the Spanish-language American TV-network), where he's accumulated 3 Emmy-Awards for his unparalleled graphic-design creations.
Dave still resides in the 'bosom of Bergen County', is happily-married to Jenny Seda-Hirschberg and is a 'Proud-Poppa' to daughter Dillan!