"So I said Johnny whatcha doing tonight? He looked at me with a face full of fright. And I said, how bout a revolution? And he said right." Those lyrics captured the crowd as Of a Revolution, more commonly known as O.A.R., played before a sold-out crowd at Starr Hill on Friday.
O.A.R. is a fast-rising grassroots band with a unique blend of rock, reggae, ska and folk. Formed out of a core group of hometown friends and based out of Ohio State University, O.A.R. has released three albums thus far. But they're better known for their nonstop touring and high-energy concerts throughout the country. After years together, they have finally begun to gather a large following in the college and high school scenes.
The band's roots are in Rockville, Md., where four of the five members grew up. The band first started in lead singer Marc Roberge's basement with childhood friend and drummer Chris Culos. In high school, the band expanded with the addition of guitarist Richard On and bassist Benj Gershman.
Though they mostly played Pearl Jam covers for a while, the band later began writing its own music. When three of the guys went to Ohio State University, they met saxophonist Jerry DePizzo, who joined and completed the group's current lineup.
The band dubbed themselves "Of a Revolution" as a statement of their new style of music. When they first began playing together, they believed their genre was different from anything that they'd heard before. They used a distinct blend of musical elements to produce a unique sound.
O.A.R.'s lyrics provide a thoughtful companion for their atypical music. According to lead singer Roberge, the songs use stories and characters to reflect themes like the search for fulfillment. He tries to project his own feelings through the metaphorical "guy out there," with whom the audience can relate easily. Other themes include lost love and self reflection.
The band's latest release, "Risen," was produced by John Alagia (known for working with Dave Matthews Band, Ben Folds Five and John Mayer) and has now sold 30,000 copies. Since 1997, O.A.R. has sold almost 50,000 copies of their three CDs. They debuted at number 11 on the Billboard Top Internet Sales Chart and consistently sell out venues throughout the northeast and midwest.
O.A.R. has been touring constantly by bus since June. Being close friends has made it much easier to deal with the strains of being on the road. After all the months of living together while on tour, band members say they feel like brothers.
O.A.R.'s immediate future plans include releasing a live album in early 2002.
"The recorded CDs don't capture the same energy and feeling that the concerts have," Roberge explained. A live album would be more representative of their music.
After years of playing together, the members of O.A.R. agree that their chemistry has improved. Every night they play a different set of songs, dictating their music according to the crowd and each other, rather than having an established set list for every show. Roberge expresses dislike for bands that go against the crowd, saying that the crowd is what they're there for.
In concert, the guys have become adept at reading each other. At an earlier stage in their music, they would spend up to five minutes deciding on the next song in the middle of a show. Now they're able to respond to the crowd and each other easily, providing for greater fluidity and fun during their concerts.
The band's view of their future follows the motto of Culos' dad: "Don't expect anything, but be ready for anything." Whether they make it big or not, Roberge believes, they will still be playing, even if it's every Thursday night after work. The greatest love of O.A.R., the band agrees, is making and performing music. O.A.R. puts every ounce of their energy into their shows; as a result, they often find themselves physically exhausted but emotionally fulfilled.
O.A.R.'s most well-known song, "A Crazy Game of Poker," reveals the band's energy in creating music. Roberge explains that the song's first half was orchestrated before recording it, but the second half was done improvisationally in the studio, giving it a raw, authentic sound. "It was a moment," commented guitarist Richard On.
The popularity of O.A.R. has spread mostly through word of mouth among college and high school students. The band's Web site, www.ofarevolution.com, contains more information about the band. Tapes and bootlegs are frequently traded through a message board on the site.
O.A.R., with its refreshing new music, seems to be a band on the rise. The five musicians' love of music is reflected in their energetic shows and suggests that they will come to the Charlottesville area again. Says Chris Culos: "We love what we do, and playing on stage is the best thing in the world. We're just gonna keep on doing what we're doing"
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