The Oxygen Ponies

Monday, August 07, 2006

There are truly people in the world who can overcome anything that this life throws at them. Meet Paul Megna. After being shot in the neck by a sniper in Hell's Kitchen in 1994, Megna was taught to play the guitar by Jeff Buckley after his recovery from the shooting. Megna still carries the bullet in his neck (centimeters from his jugular) an obvious testament to his resounding fight over the demons of life.

Megna created "sleepy bedroom" pop songs in an old abandoned barn, perfecting his songwriting skills and guitar technique. This was Megna’s catharsis, something he did for himself. In 2005, Megna decided to record his music. He assembled an incredible cast of musicians who include: Steve Salad (King Of France) on baritone guitar, David Roland on electric guitar, Konrad Meissner (Girl Friday, The Silos) on drums, Matt Durant (Rana) on piano and Len Small (A Don Piper Situation, Koester) on bass and The Oxygen Ponies were formed.

The resulting self titled debut release by the Ponies is a beautiful melodic, melancholic piece of music. Megna's voice resonates like only Bob Dylan, Leonard Cohen or John Cale can do. Each song walks through life experiences, this is truly the mark of a man who has cheated death and is here to stay.

The Oxygen Ponies