When I heard that Of A Revolution, better know as O.A.R., was planning to return to Albuquerque Halloween night, I jumped at the invitation to interview the talented quintet. I thought back to my first encounter with the band, just months ago at the Jeep World Tour where they played with Sheryl Crow, Ziggy Marley and dozens more.
In an attempt to interview O.A.R. once they exited the stage on that perfect summer day, I remember only barely escaping the clutches of a swooning crowd of 5'5" girls wearing heels, even though the Jeep World Tour was an all sports and music extravaganza. One thing that was apparent in all that commotion was O.A.R.'s loyalty to its fans and visa versa.
Chris Culos, Benj Gershman, Richard On, Jerry De Pizzo and Marc Roberge, have been cooking up steamy sounds for seven years, entertaining their classmates at Ohio State University with their melodies. That band has four albums out, including the new double live disc Any Time Now. and plans to release the fifth.
O. A. R. understands the demands of an audience, and that the best way to keep an audience as diverse as theirs, is to keep exploring musical boundaries.
Classified as a variational blend of "island-vibe-roots-rock," their danceable sound has yet to find an identity of its own in the mass genre of related sound.
Roberge's talents go beyond the lusty vocals and wailing guitar - he also writes mindful lyrics.
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I had the recent pleasure of talking with bassist Benj Gershman, about the success of their new album and the tour, which is currently making tracks across the states to Albuquerque.
DL: How do you feel when your style of music is so closely compared to Dave Matthews?
B.G.: It is an honor to be compared to such a great band.
DL: What is in your CD player right now?
B.G.: The new Foo Fighters, I listen to anything I can get my hands on. I like anything that sounds different.
DL: Was there a key figure in the band's early days?
BG: Yes, that would have to be Chris's (Culos) dad, we call him the 'guru' , a father figure, he was always there giving us great advice. Marc's (Roberge) dad was there to teach us the legal aspects. And of course of manager Dave.
DL: Do you feel any pressured from your record label to perform a certain way or play a certain type of music?
B.G.: Not at all, we are very grateful that Everfine Records is behind us with anything we want to do, we are the only band on this independent record label. We have been with them since the beginning.
DL: What is your favorite song to perform?
B.G.: "About Mr. Brown." It is dedicated to our friend Michael who passed away a year back. The song reminds me of where I came from and the people that mean a lot to all of us.
