2008 OAR

O.A.R., also known as Of a Revolution, began as a typical teenage basement band with a couple of high school buddies. They had no idea their jam sessions would eventually rocket them into the spotlight. Guitarist and singer Marc Roberge and drummer Chris Culos started playing together in high school and migrated to Ohio State University together where they played in local bars to audiences of friends and classmates.

The band was not discovered by chance by a record label or music executive; they gained a following through more modern means: the internet. O.A.R. began to collect a group of fans when some of their friends taped their shows in local bars and the posted them on the internet. Through word of mouth and random web surfers stumbling upon their hybrid of folk, pop, and reggae, O.A.R. gained a reputation for rocking the house. Soon after their success started to grow they enlisted the talents of bassist Benj Gershman, guitarist Richard On, and saxophonist Jerry DePizzo. O.A.R. has enjoyed more success than almost any independently run group. They released four albums on their own independent label, Everfine Records. The quintet released their first two albums, Wanderer and Souls Aflame, soon after their formation. They recorded rehearsals with mediocre equipment and sold the CDs as they toured, mostly in the midwest. Though the quality of sound wasn't high, the quality of music gained the band more fans and larger audiences at their shows.

Finally in 2001, O.A.R. found their way into a real recording studio to produce Risen. This third and more professional album quickly found its way to number 11 on the Billboard's Internet Sales chart. Though their album, which included the audience pleasing single 'Delicate Few', has a long way to go to reach platinum, the success it gained is staggering for a group of college kids producing records on their own label. After the success of Risen, O.A.R. began touring extensively, playing at famous venues like the House of Blues on the Sunset Strip. While touring in 2002 they released their 4th album, a live 2-disc set, titled Any Time Now. Even after their success and rise to fame on college campuses around the country, O.A.R. still allowed people to bring in recorders and tape their live shows. This is a band that has always been good to their fans. They remember how they got started.

In 2003 O.A.R. decided to take the plunge and sign with a major record label to help manage their growing popularity. They signed with Lava Records, an Atlantic Records affiliate. The band was determined, even after signing with a major label, to keep true to their roots and their fans. Given room to experiment by their new managers, the band recorded another professional album in 2003 titled In Between Now and Then. The album includes three live bonus tracks recorded during a concert at New York's Irving Plaza. Fans stuck by their band through the changes and were delighted with the outcome. Tickets to O.A.R. concerts are still in high demand by their mostly college-age following. Learning from influences like the Dave Matthews Band, O.A.R. continues to thrill fans and remain true to their unique style of grass-roots pop.