How ’bout a revolution?
If those words mean anything, it’s probably because it is one of the staple lyrics to O.A.R.’s – also known as Of A Revolution – first hit song, “That Was a Crazy Game of Poker,” having been unavoidable at parties since sophomore year of high school, regardless of where that high school might have been. It continues to be popular around Ohio State’s campus.
On Friday the popular band played with newcomers Augustana at Lifestyle Communities Pavilion. Despite the threatening and rather dreary weather, a large number of fans filled the pavilion and the neighboring bar, The Basement, for some pre-concert drinks.
O.A.R. is made up of Chris Culos, Jerry DePizzo, Benj Gershman, Richard On, and Marc Roberge. The five band mates are all OSU alumni, therefore, making their trip back to Columbus one of their most nostalgic, not to mention one of their favorite shows to perform.
“This is such a treat for us. You guys rock. Thanks for making our trip back here out of this world,” lead singer Roberge said to the crowd, who was rewarded with an ear-splitting scream from the hundreds of fans filling the pavilion.
O.A.R. has been around for roughly 10 years, according to their official Web site. Unlike most bands, O.A.R.’s fame rose gradually. They began by playing at OSU for anyone who would listen, usually using fraternity and sorority parties for publicity. Their popularity spread strictly by word-of-mouth in the beginning.
The group went from performing for small Greek parties to playing for a crowd of 18,000, which sold out the legendary Madison Square Garden in New York City in January 2006. That particular performance has been turned into the group’s latest live album, now available for sale.
“They aren’t sell outs. They got famous the right way,” said one fan, donning a Buckeyes T-shirt.
Whatever the right way might be, it worked well for the group who has sold more than one million albums within the span of their career.
Not only does O.A.R. have a slue of hit songs, but they also perform the theme song, “So Much,” for ABC’s hit back-to-back Emmy award-winning show, “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.” They also performed in a special two-hour episode of the show free of charge in front of a Los Angeles free clinic, showing that it’s all about the music and not about the money.
O.A.R. is a group that certainly shows no sign of losing its popularity any time in the near future. Their sound has evolved over time into something with a fresh and new rock feel. It’s easy going, yet hard-hitting, a rare combination that makes O.A.R.’s music stand out against the rest.
“This was the best concert I’ve been to in a really long time,” said Doug Anderson.
Holly Klass can be reached at [email protected].
