It was in 1997 when three hotshot upstarts with something to prove accidentally crossed paths at a Phoenix, Arizona rehearsal studio and had an instant musical connection. And thus COSMOSQUAD was born. New axe in town, Jeff Kollman, had just moved out West after a successful run with his Midwest-based prog metal band Edwin Dare and two solo albums already under his belt, ready to take on a new challenge and expand his horizons. Canadian drummer Shane Gaalaas and bassist Barry Sparks had first met while playing with Yngwie Malmsteen and were now in the employ of German guitar great, Michael Schenker, but eager to prove their mettle with a project of their own. Kollman had some tunes ready to go and the newly minted trio quickly worked up enough material to start tracking an album, with recordings taking place in Los Angeles, CA. COSMOSQUAD's eponymous '97 debut release was a bold first statement embodying a kaleidoscope of influences ranging from heavy rock and outright metal, to flurries of funk and Latin-tinged elegance, interwoven with elements of classic 70's fusion. Early gems such as 'El Perro Vaila', '3 AM', 'I.N.S. Conspiracy' and 'Stretch Hog' have endured and remain in the... More Biography