Of A Revolution
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Of a Revolution (O.A.R.) is an American rock band consisting of Marc Roberge (lead vocals & guitar), Chris Culos (drums), Richard On (lead guitar), Benj Gershman (bass), and Jerry DePizzo (saxophone and guitar). Due to massive online distribution over campus networks, the band has become a college hit, with many songs relating to the bandmembers' personal lives at Ohio State University.
Background
O.A.R. was founded in 1996 by Marc Roberge and Chris Culos, who then, while attending the summer session of Alexander Muss High School in Israel, each recruited Richard On and Benj Gershman. The four of them graduated from Thomas Sprigg Wootton High School in Rockville, Maryland then moved to Columbus, Ohio to attend Ohio State, where they met Jerry DePizzo after their first CD The Wanderer had already been released. Without any formal marketing or advertising plans news about songs of theirs such as That Was a Crazy Game of Poker, City on Down and Night Shift spread by word of mouth alone. Their third album Risen debuted at #11 on the Billboard top internet sales chart. The following year in 2002, their fourth album Any Time Now debuted at #156 on the Billboard Top 200 list. The band attributes much of its popularity to the taping and subsequent trading and downloading of their live shows.The band performs the theme song for the ABC show . During a two-hour special that aired on December 11 2005, they provided a streetside concert, including a live performance of the Home Edition theme, in front of the newly redesigned Los Angeles Free Clinic.
On January 14 2006 OAR reached a new peak of popularity by drawing roughly 17,000 fans and selling out New York City's famed Madison Square Garden, which earned them a review in the NY Times. O.A.R continues to grow in popularity this year. Their music videos "Love and Memories" and "Lay Down" have been featured on VH1 and MTV respectively, and they have just announced tour dates with the Dave Matthews Band.
Instruments
Marc Roberge plays a [Taylor] 514-CE acoustic guitar, [Fender]Custom Shop Telecaster Juniors, and a [Gibson Bob Marley Les Paul Special], which is a reissue of Bob Marley's with the exact specifications.Chris Culos plays a [5-piece Maryland drum set], and for his snare, he goes back and forth between a Demon Drum and a [Yamaha] copper shell.
Richard On plays a custom [Fender] Stratocaster.
Benj Gershman plays a [Fender] Jazz Bass.
Jerry DePizzo plays a [Selmer Paris Reference 54 Model 74 Tenor Saxophone], a [5th Ave Fret Custom Guitar], and a Hammer Newport Guitar.
Discography
Albums
- The Wanderer (1997)
- Souls Aflame (1999)
- Risen (2001)
- In Between Now and Then (2003)
- Stories Of A Stranger (2005)
Live albums
- Any Time Now (2002)
- Found (2003) #
- 34th & 8th (2004)
- Bonnaroo (2005) $
$ - livebonnaroo.com "digital download"
Featured
[Compilation Name (Year, Song Title)]- Bonnaroo 2003 (2003, "Risen")
- Rock For Relief (2006, "James")
- MLB 06: The Show (2006, "Of A Revolution")
Singles
| Year | Title | Chart Positions | Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| US Modern Rock | |||
| 2003 | "Hey Girl" | ?? | In Between Now & Then |
| 2005 | "Love and Memories" | #30 | Stories of a Stranger |
| 2006 | "Lay Down" | ?? | Stories of a Stranger |
External links
- [Official Page]
- [Official Message Board]
- [Setlist archive]
- [Billboard.com Information Page]
- [Archive.org collection of Live recordings] & [Taping policy]
- [O.A.R. Lyrics]
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