Systerian is a duo who writes and produces all of their music independently. Lead singer and guitarist of the band, Johnny Oskam, writes the riffs and melodies, and then the arrangement and lyrics of the songs are co-written by Johnny and Katin Burns, the drummer of the band. Using their own equipment, they record all of the instruments themselves (drums, bass, guitar, keys and vocals), and then mix the song to a finished product. With the help of Johnny’s brother, Michael Oskam, who is a mastering engineer, this small group of talented guys have quite the music production capability.

Despite being a two-member band, the sound of Systerian is huge. With riffs so heavy you’ll burn calories just listening to them, and thunderous drums and powerful vocals giving you that fist-squeezing oomph feeling, Systerian is on the short list of modern rockers to watch out for. It’s not all power chords and heavy drums though. Their sense of melody, harmony and arranging gives each song a poignancy that is lacking in a lot of music these days. Sure, you’ll head bang to the riffs, but you’ll catch yourself humming the melodies later. 

Drawing influence from grunge-era bands like STP, Alice In Chains and the like, as well as nu-metal groups like Korn, Systerian has a familiar but fresh sound. There’s even a little Van Halen and Led Zeppelin in there too. And though you can hear all of their influences in their music, they have a keen ability at drawing inspiration without sounding derivative. The fusion of these genres and influences, along with some unique elements of their own, give Systerian a unique voice, and makes them an exciting prospect in the future of rock music. This band truly sounds like they know where rock has been and they know where they want to take it from here. 

Did I mention they both absolutely shred? Katin slays the drums. And Johnny rips on the guitar. But what’s even more impressive is their balanced approach to their instruments. Rather than pack every possible second of playback with tasteless shredding, Systerian wields their musical prowess intentionally, tastefully, and with great impact. They know they don’t have to overplay to prove how good they are. Their music speaks for itself. In an industry where everyone is vying for attention, that’s refreshing.

Another impressive aspect of the band is Johnny’s ability to sing and play guitar at the same time. Whereas a lot of groups might have a stand alone singer in order to handle complex vocal melodies and simultaneous guitar riffs, Johnny flawlessly does both in their live show. But that’s not to take any attention away from the groove master, Katin. Katin makes everything feel good and punchy. And when it’s time to solo, you won’t see his sticks because they’re moving so fast. Anyone who has seen them live knows this is not a band of kids trying to work out the kinks. This is a band of seasoned professionals ready to take the industry by storm. 

Johnny and Katin have been playing music together for over a decade. They first met when Johnny was looking for a drummer for his blues/rock solo project. Fresh out of high school, a mutual friend introduced them and they met at Katin’s parent’s house for a jam. From the moment they started playing, there was an instant chemistry and it was clear that an important musical relationship had begun. 

Through the course of the eight or so years that Johnny’s solo project was active, they played countless shows opening for big name blues/rock acts such as Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Robin Trower, Eric Burdon, Tab Benoit and many more. They graced the main stage at the NAMM show in 2014, and they recorded two full length albums, Soul Search (2014) and In My Shadow (2017). The latter was nominated for “Best Blues Album of 2017” by the Independent Music Awards, the Grammy’s of independent artists. Johnny and his brother, Michael, were also nominated for best producers that year.

Just as the solo project started to gain some traction and build some momentum, however, Johnny experienced a severe burnout. Doing everything himself as a solo artist, both on the creative and business side, Johnny had overextended himself for far too long. He took a step back from pursuing a professional career as an artist for a while and delved into teaching instead. This was a crucial time in which Johnny learned the important lessons of balance and teamwork. Teaching also sharpened his musical understanding and opened his mind to other genres he otherwise may not have been exposed to.

At this time Katin was gigging and touring regularly with various other artists, even making a foray into the country music scene. He also started developing his own recording techniques and building out a small recording studio, a studio Systerian would come to take advantage of in the future. 

In the spring of 2018, Johnny’s father, who many would say was his number one supporter, passed away from cancer. It was during this time especially that Johnny and Katin’s friendship grew stronger. Katin was there for Johnny in a way that no other person was. The support Katin offered, Johnny would say, was lifesaving. Though they had always been friends, it was during this time that their relationship evolved from being centered around music, to being a true friendship that was so much more than just musically focused. The development of this aspect of their relationship brought a type of synergy that makes for a solid band, both on and off the stage. 

During the COVID lockdown of 2020, Johnny and Katin started to feel the itch to make music together again. Feeling refreshed after a burnout break, and with a new, more mature perspective on the industry and music in general, Systerian takes the musical relationship between Johnny and Katin to a new height. Being a much more collaborative project, the creative flow of the band has shifted and brought more energy to the creative process. The songs are better than ever. The production is top notch, and they are extremely tight. Couple that with the fact that this band is now a joint effort between two best friends, and you have a recipe for success for years to come. Hold on to your hats and glasses and keep all hands and feet inside the vehicle at all times. Systerian is about to take off.