O.A.R. (Of A Revolution) was formed in 1998 by Ohio State University frat boys. The band consists of Marc Roberge (lead vocals, rhythm guitar), Richard On (lead guitar), Jerry DePizzo (saxaphone), Benj Gershman (bass), and Chris Culos (drums). Culos and Roberge were junior high buddies. They had played in bands with friends, On and Gershman in their home town of Rockville, Maryland (outside of Washington DC). While at OSU the boys met DePizzo (who is from Youngstown, Ohio). The group, which has been believed to be probably the most successful indie band ever, gained popularity solely by word of mouth. In 1997, O.A.R. recorded their independent debut album, The Wanderer. The album consisted mostly of songs written by Roberge and Culos when they spent a year in Israel. The single, “That Was A Crazy Game of Poker,” became a college hit. Soon, the group began selling out at university towns from the east to mid-west of the United States. In 1999, O.A.R. released Souls Aflame.The album contained the singles “City on Down” and “Night Shift.” In 2000, when file sharing hit around the United states, O.A.R.’s popularity exploded. In 2001, the group’s manager created Everfine records. The group’s third album, Risen, was produced by John Algia (Dave Matthews band, Ben Folds Five). The album was recorded during the summer of 2000 at the Water Music in Hoboken, New Jersey and Dumbo Studios in New York City. The album debuted at number one on February 24, 2001 on Billboard’s Top Internet Sales Chart. In 2001, Everfine Records re-released The Wanderer and Souls Aflame. In 2002, Any Time Now was released. The album sold 100,000 copies. It debuted at number 11 on Billboard’s Top Internet Sales chart, number 156 on Billboard’s Top 200, and number 4 on the Heatseekers Chart. In 2002, O.A.R. was invited to tour on the Jeep World Outside Festival Tour with artists such as Sheryl Crow, Ziggy Marley, and Train. In 2003, O.A.R. hit major exposure with the release of their album, In Between Now and Then. The group promoted the new album o popular late night shows such as Letterman and Leno. The album contains the tracks, “Mr. Moon,” “Coalminer,” “Revisited,” and “Right on Time.” The album’s first single, “Hey Girl,” is receiving much air play. O.A.R.’s influences are Bob Marley, Genesis, Metallica, Beastie Boys, and Pearl Jam.
Bio written by: bandhunt |
|
Facebook
Twitter
Add to Profile
