Myriad of music in May is must-see
What began as a vision in the eyes of two junior high school students, Marc Roberge and Chris Culos, became a reality. The two, along with Richard On, Benj Gershman and Jerry DePizzo are now on the billboard charts, with total sales from their four-album catalog reaching beyond the 285,000-unit mark. They are all members of O.A.R. (Of A Revolution), a musical group that will bring their mixture of "roots rock" to Ames Wednesday, March 26.
In a telephone interview, On said the group would be performing many favorites and promoting its newest release, "Any Time Now." He said the fivesome will bring its message of peace, patience, and possibility to its loyal fans.
"We generally like to stay positive. We don't play angry music," On said. "That's not what we're about."
On said band members really want the audience to see them as they are, just five normal kids who are friends and enjoy music.
"We are not about showing off, doing crazy pyrotechnics and wearing flashy clothes," he said. "We want to let our music speak for itself."
He said as members of a popular band, they need to be good role models to their audience.
"I remember how easily middle schoolers are influenced, and now there is all this angry music," he said. "Everyone can make up their minds, and there are lots of choices. But if they take some music seriously, it can turn them into a bad person.
"At a young age, you are like a sponge, soaking it all up. My brother was a big influence, and I listened to what he said and did. I think people do look up to bands and artists, even if they didn't ask to be a role model. It is important to be careful and watch what you do in front of other people."
On said the band has gone from its original name, Of A Revolution, to just O.A.R. The long name seems to have gotten lost along the way through abbreviation and confusion.
The band formed in 1996 in the suburbs of Washington, D.C. while the members attended high school together.
Later, the quintet attended Ohio State University and continued to solidify its vision.
On said his musical influences stemmed from listening to Pearl Jam when he was 11. That led him to discover other music by Jimi Hendrix and Eric Clapton. And from that point, On said he knew music would be his life.
"It was a kind of dream for a kid to grow up and be in a band," On said. "In high school after our first CD, and everyone liked it, we took our music more seriously."
On O.A.R.'s Web site, Roberge said his first real exposure to the world of live music was watching his brother's band, Foxtrot Zulu, in Rhode Island.
"They gave me an insight into how much hard work goes into being a full-time band," he said. "As far as what I listen to, it's everything, absolutely everything. And there is nothing I enjoy more than writing lyrics and music ... Listening to and playing music is definitely a part of me that I could not live without."
Also on the Web site, Gershman said music has always been a big part of his life.
"When I was young, my parents got our family a piano, and to this day, I still remember the feeling of excitement I felt when I played my first notes on it," he said. "I still feel that same excitement every time I play a note."
O.A.R.'s music is a collaborative effort of the group, each member working on his own part and bringing it together. On the band writes music using suggestions from each other. The lyrics are mostly provided by Roberge.
"Our ideas come from everyday stuff," he said. "We try to not cater towards anyone but write what we enjoy and think is cool."
On said he sees the band as having a good base for its music. They are friends - "almost brothers."
They have known each other a long time, and they worked under their own label until just recently. He thinks that is an important approach to the uniqueness of their group and music.
"Our do-it-yourself approach helped us learn a lot," he said. "That way we have been able to build a fan base. It has taken a lot for us to take that pen and sign (with Lava Records). Our integrity is more important than money."
On said the partnership with Lava will allow O.A.R. to maintain its independent spirit while gaining greater resources to reach a broader audience. Members are currently in the studio working on their next album, due out this spring.
In a press release, Jason Flom, president of Lava Records, said the importance of a band like O.A.R. cannot be doubted.
"Their forward-thinking approach to marketing and technology is exactly what the industry needs right now to shake things up, and we are excited to be a part of their team," he said.
The press release also noted that the group's solid melodies and sing-along lyrics allow the band to continue to win over fans and sell out venues across the country
Marc Broussard, an emerging artist who has been getting very positive response to his opening slot performances on this tour, will be the opening act.
His press release said the 21-year-old singer/songwriter, a Louisiana native of Cajun descent, "blends musical influences from the area and from his family's musical legacy into an acoustic-rock sound with R&B and soul flavors.
His weather-beaten, gritty, soulful singing voice sounds like he's channeling Motown greats."
Jayne Bullock/March 19, 2003
The Ames Tribune