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{{Short description|American rock band}}
{{about|the group||OAR (disambiguation)}}
{{ambox
| name = Refimprove
| type = content
| class = ambox-Refimprove
| image = [[File:Question book-new.svg|50x40px|alt=]]
| issue = This article '''needs additional citations for [[Wikipedia:Verifiability|verification]]'''.
| fix = Please help [{{fullurl:{{FULLPAGENAME}}|action=edit}} improve this article] by [[Help:Introduction to referencing/1|adding citations to reliable sources]]. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed.
| date = December 2023
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{{Infobox musical artist
{{Infobox musical artist
| Name = O.A.R. (....of a revolution.)
| name = O.A.R. (Of a Revolution)
| Img = OAR at Slope Day 2004.jpg
| background = group_or_band
| image = O.A.R. 2015.jpg
| Img_capt = O.A.R. performing at [[Cornell University|Cornell]]'s [[Slope Day]] in 2004
| Img_size =
| image_size = 250
| Landscape =
| landscape = yes
| caption = O.A.R. performing at Lincoln Theater in 2015
| Background = group_or_band
| Origin = [[Rockville, Maryland]], [[United States]]
| origin = [[Rockville, Maryland]], United States
| Genre = [[Reggae]], [[alternative rock]], [[Jam band|jam]]
| genre = [[Alternative rock]], [[indie rock]], [[roots rock]], [[heartland rock]]
| Years_active = 1996–present
| years_active = 1996–present
| Label = [[Lava Records|Lava]], [[Everfine Records|Everfine]]
| label = [[Vanguard Records|Vanguard]], [[Wind-up Records|Wind-up]], [[Lava Records|Lava]], [[Atlantic Records|Atlantic]]
| associated_acts = [[Matt Nathanson]], [[Stephen Kellogg and the Sixers]], [[Brett Dennen]], [[Foxtrot Zulu]]
| Associated_acts =
| URL = [http://www.ofarevolution.com/ www.ofarevolution.com]
| website = {{URL|https://www.liveoar.com}}
| Current_members = [[Marc Roberge]]<br>[[Chris Culos]]<br>[[Richard On]]<br>[[Benj Gershman]]<br>[[Jerry DePizzo]]<br>[[Mikel Paris]]
| current_members = Marc Roberge<br>Chris Culos<br>Richard On<br>Benj Gershman<br>Jerry DePizzo
| Past_members =
}}
}}
'''....of a revolution.''' (or '''O.A.R.''') is an [[United States|American]] [[jam band]] consisting of [[Marc Roberge]] ([[singer|vocals]], [[guitar]]), [[Chris Culos]] ([[drum kit|drums]], [[percussion]]), [[Richard On]] (guitar, [[backing vocals]]), [[Benj Gershman]] ([[bass guitar]]), [[Jerry DePizzo]] ([[saxophone]], guitar, backing vocals), and [[Mikel Paris]] ([[keyboard instrument|keyboards]], percussion, backing vocals). Due to massive online distribution over campus networks, the band has become a hit among college students, with many songs relating to the band members' personal lives at [[The Ohio State University]] and growing up in [[Rockville, Maryland]].


'''O.A.R.''' (short for '''Of A Revolution''') is an American [[Rock music|rock]] band, founded in 1996 in [[Rockville, Maryland]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=http://www.billboard.com/artist/277030/oar/biography|title=O.A.R. – Biography|last=Hicks|first=Robert|website=www.billboard.com|publisher=Rovi|access-date=2016-08-08}}</ref> The band consists of lead vocalist/guitarist Marc Roberge, drummer Chris Culos, guitarist Richard On, bassist Benj Gershman, and saxophonist/guitarist Jerry DePizzo. Touring members include trumpet player Jon Lampley and keyboardist Mikel Paris. Together, the band has released ten studio albums. The band is well known for their live shows and extensive summer touring; they have released six live records, with the latest release, ''Live From Boston'', in December 2024. Four of the band members grew up in [[Rockville, Maryland]], and attended [[Thomas Sprigg Wootton High School]]. After graduating, they went on to study at [[Ohio State University]], where they met the fifth member, saxophonist/guitarist Jerry DePizzo from [[Youngstown, Ohio]].
==Background==
The band was founded in 1996 by Marc Roberge and Chris Culos, who then 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 [[The Ohio State University]]. While at Ohio State, they met [[Jerry DePizzo]], from [[Youngstown, Ohio]].


==History==
Without any formal marketing or advertising plans, news of their songs such as "[[That Was a Crazy Game of Poker]]", "City on Down" and "Night Shift" spread by [[word of mouth]] alone. The band played as many shows as they could, expanding from the fraternities and sororities of Ohio State to any audiences that cared to listen. This exposure paid off; their third album ''Risen'' debuted at #11 on the ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' top internet sales chart. The following year, their fourth album ''Any Time Now'' debuted at #156 on the [[Billboard Top 200]] list.


===Formation and early years (1996–2004)===
On October 5, 2006, a press release declared that O.A.R. had officially sold in excess of 1.2 million albums over their career.<ref name=marketwire>Press Release (2006). [http://www.marketwire.com/mw/release_html_b1?release_id=169874 "O.A.R. Makes History With Over 1 Million Sold"] marketwire.com (accessed October 6, 2006)</ref> The band attributes much of its popularity to the taping and subsequent trading and downloading of their live shows.
After earlier iterations performing together as far back as middle school, O.A.R. was formed in 1996 by lead vocalist Marc Roberge and drummer Chris Culos, inspired in part by Roberge's older brother, who plays drums for the band [[Foxtrot Zulu]]. They later recruited Richard On and Benj Gershman. In 1996 they recorded their debut album, ''[[The Wanderer (O.A.R. album)|The Wanderer]]'', at Gizmo Recording Company in Silver Spring, Maryland with engineer/producer Gantt Kushner. Many songs from the album, including "Black Rock" and "That Was A Crazy Game of Poker", became staples of their live shows and are still played at most concerts today.


Three of the four band members attended one semester at [[Alexander Muss High School in Israel]], graduated from [[Thomas Sprigg Wootton High School|Wootton High School]] in Rockville, Maryland, then moved to [[Columbus, Ohio]], to attend Ohio State University. While at OSU, they met Jerry DePizzo, from [[Youngstown, Ohio]]. He joined the band as the saxophonist, completing the current lineup. In 1999, they returned to Gizmo Recording to record their second album, ''[[Soul's Aflame]]''.
The band performs the theme song for the [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] show ''[[Extreme Makeover: Home Edition]]''. During a two-hour special that aired on [[December 11]], [[2005]], they provided a street-side concert, including a live performance of "So Much", the ''Extreme Makeover Home Edition'' theme, in front of the newly redesigned [[Free clinic|Los Angeles Free Clinic]].


Unlike other similar bands, O.A.R. did not use much formal advertising/marketing plans to obtain an audience, instead choosing to rely on word-of-mouth and touring alone. Their third album ''[[Risen (O.A.R. album)|Risen]]'' debuted at No.11 on the ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' top internet sales chart. They received offers from various major labels but ultimately chose to sign with [[Lava Records]] in 2002. The following year, their fourth album ''In Between Now and Then'' debuted at No.&nbsp;156 on the [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]] chart.
On [[January 14]], [[2006]] O.A.R. reached a new peak of popularity by drawing roughly 18,000 fans and selling out New York City's [[Madison Square Garden]], which earned them a review in the ''[[New York Times]]''<ref>http://www.nytimes.com/2006/01/16/arts/music/16oar.html</ref>. Their music videos "Love and Memories" and "Lay Down" have been featured on [[VH1]] and [[MTV]], and they played three nights at the Gorge with the [[Dave Matthews Band]]. After having "Love And Memories" as their first radio hit, "Heard The World" was named in September 2006 as their second single off ''Stories of a Stranger''. "Heard The World" has been Top 10 on many Maryland and D.C. radio stations, and "Love And Memories" still gets consistent air play on major radio stations.


===Mainstream success (2005–present)===
O.A.R. performed at the 2006 [[Major League Baseball]] All Star Game in Pittsburgh during All Star Sunday, singing one of their top hits, "Love and Memories". They also performed at a rally to benefit [[Darfur]] in [[Central Park]] on [[September 17]], [[2006]].
In 2005, O.A.R. released their fifth album, ''[[Stories of a Stranger]]'', which debuted at No.&nbsp;40 on the Billboard 200. It produced the singles "Love and Memories", "Heard the World", and "Lay Down." "Love and Memories" was the band's first single to chart and receive significant radio airplay, peaking at 98 in the [[Pop 100]], at 30 in [[Modern Rock Tracks]], and at 18 in [[Adult Top 40]]. The music videos for "Love and Memories" and "Lay Down" received airplay on [[VH1]] and [[MTV]]. The video for "Lay Down" received a "Woodie" award from MTV for streaming video.


On January 14, 2006, O.A.R. reached a new peak of popularity by drawing roughly 18,000 fans and selling out New York City's [[Madison Square Garden]], which earned them a review in ''[[The New York Times]]''.<ref>{{Cite news| url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/01/16/arts/music/16oar.html | work=The New York Times | title=A Scrappy Jam Band, but Hold the Jam | first=Kelefa | last=Sanneh | date=January 16, 2006 | access-date=May 20, 2010}}</ref> On October 5, 2006, a press release declared that O.A.R. had officially sold more than 1.2 million albums over their career.<ref name=marketwire>Press Release (2006). [http://www.marketwire.com/mw/release_html_b1?release_id=169874 "O.A.R. Makes History With Over 1 Million Sold"] marketwire.com (accessed October 6, 2006)</ref> The band attributes much of its popularity to the recording and subsequent trading and downloading of their live shows.
O.A.R. received a "Woodie" award from MTV in 2006; their video "Lay Down" won the Woodie for streaming video.
[[File:OARlive.JPG|thumb|O.A.R. during 2009 summer concert tour at the [[Saratoga Performing Arts Center]] in [[Saratoga Springs, New York]]]]
On July 15, 2008, O.A.R. released their sixth studio album, ''[[All Sides (O.A.R. album)|All Sides]]''. The first radio single for ''All Sides'', "[[Shattered (Turn the Car Around)]]", was released on June 13. Despite the band initially having hesitations about including the song on the album, it surpassed "Love And Memories", peaking at 2 in [[Adult Top 40]].<ref>{{cite book |title=Data for week of November 22, 2008 |date=22 November 2008 |publisher=Billboard |page=88 |url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/00s/2008/BB-2008-11-22.pdf |access-date=21 May 2024}}</ref> In December 2008, [[VH1]] named the music video for "Shattered" as number 18 on their Top 40 Videos of 2008.


In 2010, O.A.R. returned to the studio to record their seventh studio album, ''[[King (O.A.R. album)|King]]''. The band introduced several of their new songs during their 2010 tour, including "Over and Over", "Fire", "Dangerous Connection", and "Gotta Live." ''[[King (O.A.R. album)|King]]'' was released on Wind-up Records on August 2, 2011, and debuted at number 12 on the Billboard 200, the highest-charting debut for the band so far. The album's first single, "Heaven", was released on June 7, 2011. On May 8, 2012, O.A.R. released a new single, "Champions" featuring rapper [[B.o.B]], as part of a collaboration with [[Duracell]] in support of Team USA in the [[2012 London Summer Olympics]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Schillaci |first1=Sophie |title=B.o.B., O.A.R. Team Up for Olympics Song 'Champions' (Video) |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/music-news/bob-oar-olympics-song-champions-321708/ |access-date=21 May 2024 |publisher=The Hollywood Reporter}}</ref>
In a message to their fans, Jerry DePizzo, the band's saxophone player, announced that they are currently working on a new record that should be ready early 2008. Marc Roberge also stated on [[27 December]] 2006 that they have over twenty new songs written and in the works.


On November 19, 2012, O.A.R. released a live CD/DVD entitled ''[[Live on Red Rocks (O.A.R. album)|Live on Red Rocks]]'', which consists of footage and music from their performance at [[Red Rocks Amphitheatre]] on their 2012 summer tour.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/5869808/sundance-2014-watch-oar-rock-at-park-city-live|title=Sundance 2014: Watch O.A.R. Rock Park City Live|magazine=Billboard|access-date=1 September 2015}}</ref>
O.A.R. made a return trip to [[Madison Square Garden]] and performed on [[January 27]], [[2007]], supported by [[Gomez (band)|Gomez]] and [[Matt Nathanson]]. This show closed out their 2007 Winter tour which started in Ohio only a few weeks earlier. On [[June 5]], [[2007]] the concert was released as a DVD/Double Live CD.


In an interview with Billboard magazine posted on January 16, 2014, Jerry Depizzo revealed that their eighth studio album would be released in May 2014, and that the lead single would be "Peace"—a new song they played live many times on their 2013 summer tour. On March 21, 2014, the band announced via various social media sites that the new album, titled ''[[The Rockville LP]]'' would be released on June 10, 2014.
In June of 2007 the band's songs "Wonderful Day" and "One Shot" were used extensively by [[ESPN]] during its coverage of the [[2007 NCAA Division I Baseball Tournament]] and [[2007 College World Series|College World Series]].


''The Rockville LP'' debuted at number 13 on ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'''s top 200, #1 independent albums, #6 top current rock albums, and #7 current digital albums. <ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/o-a-r/|title=Billboard Artist Site for O.A.R|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |language=en-US|access-date=2023-02-02}}</ref>
The band conducted a [[USO]] tour around the Persian Gulf in late August 2007.<ref> O.A.R. have played multiple shows for the troops.[https://www.uso.org/whatwedo/entertainment/2007tourschedule/ "USO Tour Schedule 2007"] (accessed August 25th, 2007).</ref><ref>Video from Kirkuk Regional Air Base (8.28.07)[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E7oMYsqFuHU "YouTube"] (accessed August 30th, 2007).</ref>


On November 12, 2014, they were part, as many Southern rock and country music bands and singers, of a show in tribute to [[Lynyrd Skynyrd]], at the Fox Theatre in Atlanta.
O.A.R. is coming close on finishing their yet to be titled studio record. Early word on the album is for a late spring release.

In May 2016, the band announced the release of a career spanning compilation to coincide with their 20th anniversary.<ref name=":0" /> Entitled ''[[XX (O.A.R. album)|XX]]'', the album was released on August 5, 2016, bundled with a disc of live performances and two new songs "Follow Me, Follow You" and "I Go Through"''.''<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://amusicblogyea.com/2016/08/01/exclusive-album-premiere-o-a-r-xx/|title=Exclusive Album Premiere: O.A.R. – "XX" – A Music Blog, Yea?|date=August 2016 |access-date=2016-08-08}}</ref> The band embarked on a two-month tour of North America.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.jambase.com/article/o-r-announces-summer-tour-new-album|title=O.A.R. Announces Summer Tour & New Album|date=2016-05-10|language=en-US|access-date=2016-08-08}}</ref>

In 2018, O.A.R. returned to the studio to record their ninth studio album, ''The Mighty''. The first single from the album is "Miss You All the Time", released on October 12, 2018. ''The Mighty'' was presented and released to the public on March 29, 2019.

O.A.R. released a new single “Alive” on November 18, 2021, to tease out a forthcoming tour and album in 2022. The album, titled The Arcade, was their tenth album. It was released on July 15, 2022.

== Charitable endeavors and other appearances ==
The band's Heard The World foundation was founded to support youth, education and sustainable programs both in the U.S. and abroad.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.heardtheworld.org |title=Heard The World Homepage |publisher=Heardtheowrld.org |access-date=2015-09-04}}</ref>

On December 14, 2012, O.A.R. performed with the [[Baltimore Symphony Orchestra]] at the [[Strathmore (Maryland)|Music Center at Strathmore]]. The concert benefited the Heard the World Foundation.

In December 2009, Jerry DePizzo headlined a charity fundraiser for Music Loves Ohio in Columbus at The Basement.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/weekender/stories/2009/12/17/9A_MUSIC17_ART_12-17-09_T10_9GG0EH7.html|title=O.A.R. sax man instrumental in giving youngsters a boost|author=Kevin Joy|work=The Columbus Dispatch|access-date=1 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091220051433/http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/weekender/stories/2009/12/17/9A_MUSIC17_ART_12-17-09_T10_9GG0EH7.html|archive-date=20 December 2009|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

The band worked with [[Leidos|SAIC]], a US defense contractor, to raise money for the [[Paralyzed Veterans of America]], a service organization focused on assisting veterans with spinal cord injuries and diseases, through digital downloads of the band's song "Light Switch Sky." Proceeds from downloads of the song through July 22, 2010, supported paralyzed veterans. The song was co-written by O.A.R. and their fans through a competition on Twitter.<ref>[http://www.saic.com/oar/news/062110.html]{{dead link|date=May 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref>

On October 4, 2012, the band headlined a "But for Ohio State: Rock the Oval" concert at [[Ohio State University]] to help raise money for the school that the band's members attended.

O.A.R. and Phillip Phillips' 2014 Summer Tour benefited [[Habitat for Humanity]].

O.A.R. performed live from Times Square on December 31, 2014.

O.A.R. performed at the opening and closing ceremonies of the [[2015 Special Olympics World Summer Games]].

Marc Roberge and Jon Lampley performed the Star Spangled Banner in Columbus, Ohio before an NHL game between the [[Columbus Blue Jackets]] and the [[Boston Bruins]] on March 5, 2022. The game was notable for holding a ceremony retiring the first jersey number in Blue Jackets history; [[Rick Nash]]'s number 61.


==Members==
==Members==
{{col-begin}}
*[[Marc Roberge]] (1996–present)
{{col-2}}
*[[Chris Culos]] (1996–present)
'''Current members'''
*[[Richard On]] (1996–present)
*[[Benj Gershman]] (1996–present)
* Marc Roberge – lead vocals, rhythm guitar <small>(1996–present)</small>
* Richard On – lead guitar, backing vocals <small>(1996–present)</small>
*[[Jerry DePizzo]] (September 21, 2000 – present)
* Benj Gershman – bass <small>(1996–present)</small>
Touring member Mikel Paris(2006-present)
* Chris Culos – drums <small>(1996–present)</small>
* Jerry DePizzo – saxophone, guitar, backing vocals <small>(2000–present; session 1999)</small>


'''Current touring members'''
==Discography==
* Mikel Paris – keyboards, percussion, backing vocals <small>(2006–present)</small>
===Studio albums===
* Jon Lampley – trumpet, sousaphone, backing vocals <small>(2011–present)</small>
*''[[The Wanderer (O.A.R. album)|The Wanderer]]'' (1997)
{{col-2}}
*''[[Souls Aflame]]'' (2000)
*''[[Risen (O.A.R. album)|Risen]]'' (2001)
*''[[In Between Now and Then]]'' (2003)
*''[[Stories of a Stranger]]'' (2005)


'''Former touring members'''
===Live albums===
* Evan Oberla – trombone, backing vocals <small>(2011–2014)</small>
*''[[Any Time Now (O.A.R. album)|Any Time Now]]'' (2002)
{{col-end}}
*''[[34th & 8th]]'' (2004)
*''[[Live from Madison Square Garden]]'' (2007)


'''Timeline'''
===Compilations===
{{#tag:timeline|
''Compilation name (year, song title)''
ImageSize = width:800 height:auto barincrement:22
*''[[Bonnaroo]] 2003'' (2003, "Risen")
PlotArea = left:90 bottom:110 top:10 right:10
*''Rock For Relief'' (2006, "James")
Alignbars = justify
*''[[MLB '06: The Show]]'' (2006, "Of A Revolution")
DateFormat = mm/dd/yyyy
*''Mixclusives: Volume 6'' (2006, "Love & Memories")
Period = from:1996 till:{{#time:m/d/Y}}
*''The [[Target Corporation|Target]] Red Room Volume: 5'' (2006, "One Shot (live)")
TimeAxis = orientation:horizontal format:yyyy
*''[[Kyle XY]] [[Soundtrack]]'' (2007, "Wonderful Day")
Legend = orientation:vertical position:bottom columns:3
*''[[Instant Karma: The Amnesty International Campaign to Save Darfur]]'' (2007, "[[Borrowed Time (John Lennon song)|Borrowed Time]]")
ScaleMajor = increment:3 start:1996
*''For the Kids Three'' (2007, "Itsy Bitsy Spider")
ScaleMinor = increment:1 start:1996


Colors =
==Singles==
id:lvocals value:red legend:Lead_vocals,_rhythm_guitar
{|class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
id:lguitar value:teal legend:Lead_guitar,_backing_vocals
! rowspan="2"| Year
id:rguitar value:brightgreen legend:Rhythm_guitar,_backing_vocals
! rowspan="2"| Title
id:bass value:blue legend:Bass
! colspan="5"| Chart Positions
id:drums value:orange legend:Drums
! rowspan="2"| Album
id:sax value:tan2 legend:Saxophone
|-
id:keys value:purple legend:Keyboards,_percussion,_backing_vocals
id:trumpet value:skyblue legend:Trumpet,_sousaphone,_backing_vocals
id:trombone value:coral legend:Trombone,_backing_vocals
id:touring value:yellow legend:Touring_member
id:studio value:black legend:Studio_album
id:live value:gray(0.6) legend:Live_release
id:bars value:gray(0.95)


BackgroundColors = bars:bars
! <small>[[Pop 100|Pop<br>100]]</small>
! <small>[[Modern Rock Tracks|Modern<br>Rock]]</small>
! <small>[[Adult Top 40|Adult<br>Top 40]]</small>
! <small>Adult<br>Tracks</small>
! <small>Adult<br>Recurrents</small>


LineData =
|-
color:studio layer:back
| 2003
at:11/29/1997
| style="text-align:left" | "Hey Girl"
at:04/08/1999
| -
at:02/06/2001
| -
at:05/27/2003
| 26
at:10/04/2005
| -
at:07/15/2008
| -
at:08/02/2011
| style="text-align:left" | ''In Between Now & Then''
at:06/10/2014
|-
at:03/29/2019
| 2005
at:07/15/2022
| style="text-align:left" | "Love and Memories"

| 98
color:live
| 30
at:05/06/2002
| 18
at:07/27/2004
| 17
at:06/05/2007
| 2
at:04/14/2009
| style="text-align:left" | ''Stories of a Stranger''
at:01/12/2010
|-
at:11/19/2012
| 2006
at:11/29/2019
| style="text-align:left" | "Heard The World"

| -
BarData =
| -
bar:Marc text:Marc Roberge
| -
bar:Richard text:Richard On
| -
bar:Benj text:Benj Gershman
| -
bar:Chris text:Chris Culos
| style="text-align:left" | ''Stories of a Stranger''
bar:Jerry text:Jerry DePizzo
|-
bar:Mikel text:Mikel Paris
| 2006
bar:Jon text:Jon Lampley
| style="text-align:left" | "Lay Down"
bar:Evan text:Evan Oberla
| -

| -
PlotData=
| -
width:11
| -
color:lvocals
| -
bar:Marc from:start till:end
| style="text-align:left" | ''Stories of a Stranger''

|-
color:lguitar
|}
bar:Richard from:start till:end

color:bass
bar:Benj from:start till:end

color:drums
bar:Chris from:start till:end

color:sax
bar:Jerry from:01/01/2000 till:end

color:keys
bar:Mikel from:01/01/2006 till:end

color:trumpet
bar:Jon from:06/01/2011 till:end

color:trombone
bar:Evan from:06/01/2011 till:01/01/2015

width:3
bar:Jerry from:01/01/2005 till:end color:rguitar
bar:Jerry from:03/01/1999 till:01/01/2000 color:sax
bar:Mikel from:01/01/2006 till:end color:touring
bar:Jon from:06/01/2011 till:end color:touring
bar:Evan from:06/01/2011 till:01/01/2015 color:touring
}}

==Discography==
{{Main|O.A.R. discography}}
* ''[[The Wanderer (O.A.R. album)|The Wanderer]]'' (1997)
* ''[[Soul's Aflame]]'' (1999)
* ''[[Risen (O.A.R. album)|Risen]]'' (2001)
* ''[[In Between Now and Then]]'' (2003)
* ''[[Stories of a Stranger]]'' (2005)
* ''[[All Sides (O.A.R. album)|All Sides]]'' (2008)
* ''[[King (O.A.R. album)|King]]'' (2011)
* ''[[The Rockville LP]]'' (2014)
* ''The Mighty'' (2019)
* ''The Arcade'' (2022)

== See also ==
* [[ScreamCreature]]


==Notes==
==Notes==
{{Reflist}}
<!--<nowiki>
See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Footnotes for an explanation of how to generate footnotes using the <ref> and </ref> tags, and the template below.
</nowiki>-->
{{FootnotesSmall|resize=100%}}


==External links==
==External links==
*{{official|https://www.liveoar.com}}
*[http://www.ofarevolution.com/ O.A.R.] official website
*[{{BillboardURLbyName|artist=o.a.r.|bio=true}} Billboard.com Band Profile]
*[http://oarfans.com O.A.R.] official message board
*{{myspace|ofarevolution}}
*[http://www.haystack.com/ofarevolution O.A.R. @ Haystack]
*[http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/bio/index.jsp?pid=407336 Billboard.com Band Profile]
*[http://www.oarsa.org/ oarsa.org] setlist archive, lyrics, and fan site
*[http://www.oarsa.org/ oarsa.org] setlist archive, lyrics, and fan site
*{{Internet Archive music|id=OfARevolution}}
*[http://everfinerecords.com Everfine Records]
*[http://cornellsun.com/node/23145 Lead singer Marc Roberge] interview with the ''Cornell Daily Sun''


{{O.A.R.}}
[[Category:Alternative musical groups]]
{{Authority control|state=expanded}}

[[Category:Jam bands]]
[[Category:Jam bands]]
[[Category:Ohio State University|Of A Revolution]]
[[Category:Ohio State University alumni]]
[[Category:Maryland musical groups]]
[[Category:Musical groups established in 1996]]
[[Category:Musical groups established in 1996]]
[[Category:Atlantic Records artists]]

[[Category:Alternative rock groups from Maryland]]
[[de:OAR (Band)]]
[[Category:Indie rock musical groups from Maryland]]
[[la:Of a Revolution]]
[[Category:Musicians from Rockville, Maryland]]
[[pl:Of a Revolution]]

Latest revision as of 00:17, 21 December 2024

This article is about the group. For other uses, see OAR (disambiguation).
O.A.R. (Of a Revolution)
O.A.R. performing at Lincoln Theater in 2015
O.A.R. performing at Lincoln Theater in 2015
Background information
OriginRockville, Maryland, United States
GenresAlternative rock, indie rock, roots rock, heartland rock
Years active1996–present
LabelsVanguard, Wind-up, Lava, Atlantic
MembersMarc Roberge
Chris Culos
Richard On
Benj Gershman
Jerry DePizzo
Websitewww.liveoar.com

O.A.R. (short for Of A Revolution) is an American rock band, founded in 1996 in Rockville, Maryland.[1] The band consists of lead vocalist/guitarist Marc Roberge, drummer Chris Culos, guitarist Richard On, bassist Benj Gershman, and saxophonist/guitarist Jerry DePizzo. Touring members include trumpet player Jon Lampley and keyboardist Mikel Paris. Together, the band has released ten studio albums. The band is well known for their live shows and extensive summer touring; they have released six live records, with the latest release, Live From Boston, in December 2024. Four of the band members grew up in Rockville, Maryland, and attended Thomas Sprigg Wootton High School. After graduating, they went on to study at Ohio State University, where they met the fifth member, saxophonist/guitarist Jerry DePizzo from Youngstown, Ohio.

History

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Formation and early years (1996–2004)

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After earlier iterations performing together as far back as middle school, O.A.R. was formed in 1996 by lead vocalist Marc Roberge and drummer Chris Culos, inspired in part by Roberge's older brother, who plays drums for the band Foxtrot Zulu. They later recruited Richard On and Benj Gershman. In 1996 they recorded their debut album, The Wanderer, at Gizmo Recording Company in Silver Spring, Maryland with engineer/producer Gantt Kushner. Many songs from the album, including "Black Rock" and "That Was A Crazy Game of Poker", became staples of their live shows and are still played at most concerts today.

Three of the four band members attended one semester at Alexander Muss High School in Israel, graduated from Wootton High School in Rockville, Maryland, then moved to Columbus, Ohio, to attend Ohio State University. While at OSU, they met Jerry DePizzo, from Youngstown, Ohio. He joined the band as the saxophonist, completing the current lineup. In 1999, they returned to Gizmo Recording to record their second album, Soul's Aflame.

Unlike other similar bands, O.A.R. did not use much formal advertising/marketing plans to obtain an audience, instead choosing to rely on word-of-mouth and touring alone. Their third album Risen debuted at No.11 on the Billboard top internet sales chart. They received offers from various major labels but ultimately chose to sign with Lava Records in 2002. The following year, their fourth album In Between Now and Then debuted at No. 156 on the Billboard 200 chart.

Mainstream success (2005–present)

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In 2005, O.A.R. released their fifth album, Stories of a Stranger, which debuted at No. 40 on the Billboard 200. It produced the singles "Love and Memories", "Heard the World", and "Lay Down." "Love and Memories" was the band's first single to chart and receive significant radio airplay, peaking at 98 in the Pop 100, at 30 in Modern Rock Tracks, and at 18 in Adult Top 40. The music videos for "Love and Memories" and "Lay Down" received airplay on VH1 and MTV. The video for "Lay Down" received a "Woodie" award from MTV for streaming video.

On January 14, 2006, O.A.R. reached a new peak of popularity by drawing roughly 18,000 fans and selling out New York City's Madison Square Garden, which earned them a review in The New York Times.[2] On October 5, 2006, a press release declared that O.A.R. had officially sold more than 1.2 million albums over their career.[3] The band attributes much of its popularity to the recording and subsequent trading and downloading of their live shows.

O.A.R. during 2009 summer concert tour at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center in Saratoga Springs, New York

On July 15, 2008, O.A.R. released their sixth studio album, All Sides. The first radio single for All Sides, "Shattered (Turn the Car Around)", was released on June 13. Despite the band initially having hesitations about including the song on the album, it surpassed "Love And Memories", peaking at 2 in Adult Top 40.[4] In December 2008, VH1 named the music video for "Shattered" as number 18 on their Top 40 Videos of 2008.

In 2010, O.A.R. returned to the studio to record their seventh studio album, King. The band introduced several of their new songs during their 2010 tour, including "Over and Over", "Fire", "Dangerous Connection", and "Gotta Live." King was released on Wind-up Records on August 2, 2011, and debuted at number 12 on the Billboard 200, the highest-charting debut for the band so far. The album's first single, "Heaven", was released on June 7, 2011. On May 8, 2012, O.A.R. released a new single, "Champions" featuring rapper B.o.B, as part of a collaboration with Duracell in support of Team USA in the 2012 London Summer Olympics.[5]

On November 19, 2012, O.A.R. released a live CD/DVD entitled Live on Red Rocks, which consists of footage and music from their performance at Red Rocks Amphitheatre on their 2012 summer tour.[6]

In an interview with Billboard magazine posted on January 16, 2014, Jerry Depizzo revealed that their eighth studio album would be released in May 2014, and that the lead single would be "Peace"—a new song they played live many times on their 2013 summer tour. On March 21, 2014, the band announced via various social media sites that the new album, titled The Rockville LP would be released on June 10, 2014.

The Rockville LP debuted at number 13 on Billboard's top 200, #1 independent albums, #6 top current rock albums, and #7 current digital albums. [7]

On November 12, 2014, they were part, as many Southern rock and country music bands and singers, of a show in tribute to Lynyrd Skynyrd, at the Fox Theatre in Atlanta.

In May 2016, the band announced the release of a career spanning compilation to coincide with their 20th anniversary.[1] Entitled XX, the album was released on August 5, 2016, bundled with a disc of live performances and two new songs "Follow Me, Follow You" and "I Go Through".[8] The band embarked on a two-month tour of North America.[9]

In 2018, O.A.R. returned to the studio to record their ninth studio album, The Mighty. The first single from the album is "Miss You All the Time", released on October 12, 2018. The Mighty was presented and released to the public on March 29, 2019.

O.A.R. released a new single “Alive” on November 18, 2021, to tease out a forthcoming tour and album in 2022. The album, titled The Arcade, was their tenth album. It was released on July 15, 2022.

Charitable endeavors and other appearances

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The band's Heard The World foundation was founded to support youth, education and sustainable programs both in the U.S. and abroad.[10]

On December 14, 2012, O.A.R. performed with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra at the Music Center at Strathmore. The concert benefited the Heard the World Foundation.

In December 2009, Jerry DePizzo headlined a charity fundraiser for Music Loves Ohio in Columbus at The Basement.[11]

The band worked with SAIC, a US defense contractor, to raise money for the Paralyzed Veterans of America, a service organization focused on assisting veterans with spinal cord injuries and diseases, through digital downloads of the band's song "Light Switch Sky." Proceeds from downloads of the song through July 22, 2010, supported paralyzed veterans. The song was co-written by O.A.R. and their fans through a competition on Twitter.[12]

On October 4, 2012, the band headlined a "But for Ohio State: Rock the Oval" concert at Ohio State University to help raise money for the school that the band's members attended.

O.A.R. and Phillip Phillips' 2014 Summer Tour benefited Habitat for Humanity.

O.A.R. performed live from Times Square on December 31, 2014.

O.A.R. performed at the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2015 Special Olympics World Summer Games.

Marc Roberge and Jon Lampley performed the Star Spangled Banner in Columbus, Ohio before an NHL game between the Columbus Blue Jackets and the Boston Bruins on March 5, 2022. The game was notable for holding a ceremony retiring the first jersey number in Blue Jackets history; Rick Nash's number 61.

Members

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Timeline

Discography

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Main article: O.A.R. discography

See also

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Notes

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  1. ^ a b Hicks, Robert. "O.A.R. – Biography". www.billboard.com. Rovi. Retrieved 2016-08-08.
  2. ^ Sanneh, Kelefa (January 16, 2006). "A Scrappy Jam Band, but Hold the Jam". The New York Times. Retrieved May 20, 2010.
  3. ^ Press Release (2006). "O.A.R. Makes History With Over 1 Million Sold" marketwire.com (accessed October 6, 2006)
  4. ^ Data for week of November 22, 2008 (PDF). Billboard. 22 November 2008. p. 88. Retrieved 21 May 2024.
  5. ^ Schillaci, Sophie. "B.o.B., O.A.R. Team Up for Olympics Song 'Champions' (Video)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 21 May 2024.
  6. ^ "Sundance 2014: Watch O.A.R. Rock Park City Live". Billboard. Retrieved 1 September 2015.
  7. ^ "Billboard Artist Site for O.A.R". Billboard. Retrieved 2023-02-02.
  8. ^ "Exclusive Album Premiere: O.A.R. – "XX" – A Music Blog, Yea?". August 2016. Retrieved 2016-08-08.
  9. ^ "O.A.R. Announces Summer Tour & New Album". 2016-05-10. Retrieved 2016-08-08.
  10. ^ "Heard The World Homepage". Heardtheowrld.org. Retrieved 2015-09-04.
  11. ^ Kevin Joy. "O.A.R. sax man instrumental in giving youngsters a boost". The Columbus Dispatch. Archived from the original on 20 December 2009. Retrieved 1 September 2015.
  12. ^ [1][dead link‍]
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