B I O G R A P H Y


“She would not be my toy…I’d be her human being” (from “Olympia”)

ONES & ZEROS: the building blocks of A.I. mixed with physical desire…

“Why deny? The more we fight it, the more we lose control” (from “Logical Conclusion”)

ONES & ZEROS: the self-fulfilling prophecy

“Are you a sheep? Are you a hero? Stuck in a binary code” (from “Ones & Zeros”)

ONES & ZEROS simplified: on or off…yes or no



These are the things on the mind of 3RDegree that make up its sixth album ONES & ZEROS: vol. 0 and the bookend to 2015’s ONES & ZEROS: vol. 1-their first concept album(s)-now complete. All songs offer a unique take on the issues and ethics associated with the rapid progress of technology. Ray Kurzweil & others have been discussing futurism and transhumanism since the 1970s but only now are we seeing it impact our daily lives. Spearheaded by 1990’s-era members California guitarist Patrick Kliesch & New Jersey lead vocalist/keyboardist George Dobbs, the rest of the band shortly pitched in different songs-all closely associated with the overall theme. As with previous albums, both fully-fledged and skeletal ideas were created and passed between band members via the Internet and worked on in the flesh soon after.


3RDegree circa 2019 continues to embody the musical direction envisioned by “power trio” Robert James Pashman, Patrick Kliesch & Robert Durham in 1991: to create interesting and engaging music that mixes accessible melodies and catchy hooks with the intelligence and complexity of Progressive Rock. Releasing a debut album (on cassette!) with THE WORLD IN WHICH WE LIVE in 1993 (w/Pashman on lead vocals), 3RDegree decided to step up their game in 1995, adding a world-class lead vocalist in George Dobbs and releasing their second album, 1996’s HUMAN INTEREST STORY, which was re-released in 2013, remastered. After playing many live shows in the New York City area gaining little traction, the band hung it up, leaving much material sitting on the proverbial cutting room floor.


Dobbs would continue musical endeavors including solo albums, Pashman and Kliesch would work on projects together and a solo album each apart…but talk of 3RDegree was couched in the past tense until Pashman would make a video collection in 2005, putting together all the band’s music videos and performances onto DVD and basement tapes onto CDs.  Discussion of the songs left behind bubbled under throughout that year until the original trio met at a NYC bar where it was agreed upon that the band would record again in ’06-with Dobbs soon located-and later, play reunion concerts at NJ Proghouse in 2007 with long time collaborator, guitarist Eric Pseja. 2008 saw the release of NARROW-CASTER (which included the aforementioned songs along with brand new ones) making a big splash in small progressive rock ponds worldwide with the Dutch Progressive Rock Page (DPRP.net) reveling: “It’s not often an album as refreshing as this comes along, and we should treasure it when it does...an album that demands repeated spins, and rewards every listen with some new revelation”. In 2009, new drummer Aaron Nobel joined and the band played shows in Brooklyn (w/Phideaux) & North Carolina’s ProgDay (w/Ozric Tentacles) later finding themselves working on some tracks with two different themes but with election year coming in 2012, the band decided that their political crop of songs would be particularly timely.


THE LONG DIVISION would be released ahead of election day followed by many 2013 mid-year shows culminating in a return visit to ProgDay ’13’s pre-show-all with new lead guitarist Bryan Zeigler. The album’s single “You’re Fooling Yourselves” made the Top 10 Songs Of The Year at DPRP’s yearly poll alongside many, much more “established” bands. In early 2014, the band made an appearance at Québec City’s Terra Incognita Festival (w/Glass Hammer) playing to an enthusiastic audience-3RDegree’s first show outside the USA.


In August 2015, 3RDegree released a new album-ONES & ZEROS: vol. 1-on 10T Records (their last release) and performed live on their first world tour that not only hit the American northeast, but also France (Paris), Germany (Frankfurt), The Netherlands (Rotterdam), England (London, Leicester, Southampton) & Wales ending at The Summer’s End Festival (w/Pallas). Shows continued into 2016 (with original drummer Robert Durham back in tow) including an appearance at RoSfest in Gettysburg, PA (w/Spock’s Beard). The band would finish ONES & ZEROS: vol. 0 in April 2018 after teasing much of it at October 2017’s ProgStock Festival in New Jersey with video projection and stagecraft worthy of the concept.

Founded Unreal in 1988 after beginning to write songs once out of high school that year. 3RDegree’s home base was in Robert’s basement. He started playing keyboards around age 12 and taught himself bass at 16. His favorite artists over the years have been Rush, Tears For Fears, Genesis, Sarah McLachlan, Jonatha Brooke, Esthero, Emiliana Torrini, Todd Rundgren, Prefab Sprout, Steely Dan, Level 42, Marillion, Hooverphonic, Bjork, Air, Phoenix, A-ha, Kevin Gilbert, David Sylvian & others. In 1995 Robert toured Belgium, Germany & Austria as keyboardist with metal band POWER.  Recently he’s recorded (as engineer) NJ power-pop band Spiraling who’s leader Tom Brislin has toured with the likes of Yes, Camel, Meat Loaf and now Kansas.  Robert also made a “trip-hop” cd with PORTAL in 2000 and a solo CD called RECOVERING DREAMER in 2001.  In 2005, Robert was very busy archiving all things 3RDegree into the latest DVD and Cd releases that ended up with the band reforming at the end of that year.

He works in television and lives with his wife, son & daughter in northern New Jersey.

The history of 3RDegree begins when Robert James Pashman was looking for a drummer and found Rob Durham in late 1990. He would also join the band for it’s 2008 comeback album  Narrow-Caster but would leave the band after its release. His full return in 2016 signaled a six piece band with it’s original 1991 trio still intact 20+ years later. Rob is a multi-instrumentalist dabbling in flute, glockenspiel, vibraphone and more.


Rob lives in northern NJ.

Pat joined 3RDegree in August of 1991 at the age of 18. Pat’s writing mixed with Robert James’ rounded out the sound of the band. Pat started playing clarinet at age 8 and guitar at age 12 and has been tinkering with piano and drums since college. His influences include Air, Arcade Fire, Badly Drawn Boy, The Beatles, Beck, Björk, Blur, Chemical Brothers, Cocteau Twins, Coldplay, DJ Shadow, Elbow, Elliot Smith, Genesis, Goldfrapp, Jeff Buckley, Jellyfish, Kate Bush, King’s X, Led Zeppelin, M83, Massive Attack, Muse, Pernice Brothers, Pink Floyd, Queen, Radiohead, Rush, Seal, Secret Machines, The Shins, Shudder To Think, Sigur Ros, Snow Patrol, Soundgarden, Sufjan Stevens, Supergrass, Super Furry Animals, Tears For Fears, U2, Ween and  Yes. Patrick released a solo CD DYSFUNCTIONAL FAMILY ALBUM in 1999, a “trip hop” CD with P0rtal in 2000 and a CD with Liquid 56 called FOIL in 2004. Pat works as a video editor and lives in Southern California.

It was George’s voice and songwriting

heard on his demo tape that immediately caught the ear of the band when looking for a lead vocalist to give the band that extra “oomph”. He joined in the summer of 1995 and was on stage by August.  His vocal influences are mainly Peter Gabriel, Donald Fagen and Andy Partridge of XTC.  George’s former bands include Kill The Messenger and a stint with Australian recording artist Johnny Diesel in 1997.


George lives in northern New Jersey.

Bryan joined 3RDegree in January of 2013. The band had come to the conclusion that another live guitarist was needed to pull of the band’s material on stage. Bryan is a seasoned live player.  


Bryan lives in northern NJ...but that's none of your business is it?

Eric's protracted entrance into 3RDegree started with a failed audition for lead vocalist in 1995, evolved into a collaborative songwriting project with Pat Kliesch called Liquid 56, and morphed into a guest musician stint for the Reunion Concerts.  Fifteen years later, Eric's tenacity finally earned him a solid spot in the 3rDegree roster.


Eric is a self-taught guitarist and bassist as well as an accomplished vocalist.  A smattering of his eclectic influences would include Tori Amos, Basia, Clannad, Devin Townsend, The Dixie Chicks, Duran Duran, Emerson Lake & Palmer, Genesis, Jason Falkner, Iron Maiden, Level 42, Opeth, Porcupine Tree, Queensrÿche, Steely Dan, Sting, Tears for Fears, U2, Steve Vai, The Who, and Yes.


In the late 1990s, Eric was the bassist and vocalist for NJ bar-circuit cover band Sick Nellie.  Along with playing guitar in 3rDegree, Eric is currently the bassist and vocalist for his college project band Crust as well as bassist for the original rock band Xeromore. Eric also proudly serves and the token cowboy-boot wearing musician.


When Eric's not a Rock Star he's a Web Designer who live in northern New Jersey with his wife and two daughters.

ERIC PSEJA

BRYAN ZEIGLER

GEORGE DOBBS

PATRICK KLIESCH

ROB DURHAM

ROBERT JAMES PASHMAN

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Listed in order of joining the band: