Not every Big-Band-On-Campus can make the jump from headlining frat parties to selling out New York’s Madison Square Garden, but in the decade-plus that O.A.R has been playing its brand of openhearted, straight-ahead rock, the group has gone from being a word-of-mouth sensation at Ohio State University to being a national act with with a fervent fanbase and six studio albums to its credit. Applying a jam band vibe to arena rock guitar lines, O.A.R songs are notable for lyrics that focus on relatable experiences and personal growth (that focus made the band a natural to sing the theme song for the hit TV show “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition”).

The band has its roots in the junior high friendship of vocalist/guitarist Marc Roberge, guitarist Richard On and drummer Chris Culos. The three then linked up with bassist Benj Gershman and christened their group O.A.R, for “of a revolution.” All four attended Ohio State, where they added saxophonist Jerry DePizzo to the lineup. The band’s self-released 1997 debut album, The Wanderer, included the song “That Was a Crazy Game of Poker,” which has continued to be a band and fan favorite. Relentless touring and strong follow-up albums increased the band’s popularity, and its 2005 album, Stories of a Stranger, contained a pair of bona fide chart hits: “Love and Memories” and “Heard the World.”

In early 2007, O.A.R. teamed with producer Matt Wallace (Maroon 5, the Replacements) to begin work on its sixth album. Many of O.A.R’s new songs were loosely inspired by a cross-country car trip that lyricist Roberge took with his wife and their dogs, but the chilling “War Song” was written after the band performed in Iraq and Kuwait as part of a 2007 U.S.O. tour.

Provenance: Rockville, Maryland; Columbus, Ohio

Latest Release: All Sides (2008)

© 2008 Nigel Music Media LLC. Used by permission.

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