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BAND BIO

BAND MEMBERS

 What began as a vision in the eyes of junior high school students Marc Roberge 
(vocals/rhythm guitar) and Chris Culos (drums) developed into a daily ritual of two 
best friends meeting after school in an old basement to feed an insatiable interest 
in music that has now evolved into the truly original sound of O.A.R. Day in and 
day out, the two spent lots of time developing the sound that would eventually 
become their own unique musical identity. They stumbled upon a true fusion of 
rock, reggae, ska, and folk coupled with carefully selected lyrics that take the
listener on a journey through the eyes of a wandering soul. The music offers the 
listener a fresh sound that is worthy of its own genre---Island Vibe Roots Rock. As
the two visionaries matured, they entered the high school ranks and the duo quickly 
evolved into a band. The addition of guitarist Richard On further developed the sound 
as he added a melodic style of lead guitar to the mix. With bass player Benj Gershman
joining the group in early 1997, the band took on the name '...of a revolution." and 
began playing locally in Maryland. 

 Before long the long name of the band got lost 
somewhere in the gorge of confusion. The name '... of a revolution.' was often 
abbreviated into O.A.R., but the band had understandably been deemed 'oar'. As 
easy as it was to say, the band certainly did not intend on being related to the rowing 
instrument of a boat therefore taking on the abbreviated name ---- O.A.R. (Pronounced 
"O" --- "A" --- "R") The vision that began in the basement years before had now found 
its final piece to move foreword.

 Despite confusion with the band's name, the music had continued to spread as Chris 
and Marc headed off to Ohio State University in the Fall of 1997. Fueling off the 
underground success of their first album 'The Wanderer,' the band was looking to tour 
and continue to record music. During the summer of 1998, the band had recorded their 
second album 'Souls Aflame' with saxophonist Jerry DePizzo, who eventually became 
the fifth member and final piece of O.A.R. Over the following year, the band balanced 
their full time course load and was able to play throughout Ohio, also branching out to 
Arizona, Nevada, South Carolina and back home to Maryland. O.A.R. took pride in 
their unparalleled live show and was intent on playing as often as possible. The 
inspiration was fueled simply by the will to play to the people who had opened their ears 
and minds to the sound of O.A.R.

 "From their beginnings as a high school basement band exploring the irrepressible 
youthful urge to make noise to their current status as college rock phenomenon, 
O.A.R. has remained grounded and grateful at every step. The music, of course, is 
the key. O.A.R. play a lusty, driving train wreck of jam, roots rock, and ska with a 
liberal amount of reggae and honest, raw songwriting."