By Joanie Morris
jmorris@kannapoliscitizen.com
O.A.R., or “of a revolution” (not to be confused with a boat oar), is one of those bands that many people may not have heard of.
It’s not for a lack of trying, as the band from Rockville, Md., has been around since 1996.
The lack of recognition is all about to change.
In July, the band debuted No. 13 on Billboard’s Top 200 album chart with its newest album, “All Sides,”giving the band the best first week sales of its career.
O.A.R. has also been featured on VH1’s Top 20 weekly countdown and the first single off their album, “Shattered” has been played on radio stations around Charlotte consistently.
They’re headed for Charlotte’s Cricket Arena Sept. 24.
Benj Gershman, bassist for the group, said Charlotte fans will be in for a treat.
“We never play the same set twice,” said Gershman in a recent phone interview. “Even the (planned) set lists change during the shows based on what we are feeling from the audience.”
Gershman said the band will play songs from “All Sides” as well as past albums, but they haven’t decided which ones they will play in Charlotte yet.
“You can expect a spontaneous show,” he added. “It’s going to be a lot of energy and just a good time.”
When asked about what his favorite part of the concert is, his answer was quick.
For him, it’s all about the fans.
“I think the audience is my favorite part,” he said. “How people react to our music, watching them, is just something we’ve been spending our lives working on and doing for years. To have people appreciate and enjoy is just a fulfilling moment to be in.”
He also commented on what it’s like when fans sing the bands songs for them at concerts.
“It’s just thrilling. It’s the best thing that could happen. That’s the goal, to have them (fans) participate.”
Gershman said the band is influenced by a lot of different sounds, most of which can be heard on the newest CD.
“As a band, we look at bands like U2 and Dave Matthews Band and we listen to a record of Bob Marley that we always say we will try to emulate in our live shows,” he said. “I think we have a lot of different influences individually.”
Gershman said the bands that influence O.A.R. all have one thing in common ó “They just have this fan participation, reaction kind of thing.”
“We titled (the album) ‘All Sides’ because because it’s got all sides of O.A.R.’s influences on it,” he said. “It just fits that feel. I really enjoy the music on it and I’m really proud of it.”
One of the songs that is a band favorite is “War Song.” The group recently went on a USO tour in Iraq.
The song was a result of that tour but isn’t meant to be taken politically.
“Going overseas to Iraq and Kuwait to play for our troops on a USO tour was a special thing to do,” Gershman said. “It was a risk we were taking but it was taken because we really feel like our band is very lucky to be where we are and have a great appreciation to be in the country where they are.
” ‘War Song’ is a story about what it is like for our soldiers to go through what they go through and their thoughts and their lives,” he added. “Marc’s (Roberge, lyrics, vocal and rhythm guitarist) intention in writing it is not meant to be political in any way.”
“This is not a song about war really, but about warriors,” said Robarge in a press release. “It is written with the guy or girl who must leave their home and be expected to return with the same eyes they once had.”
The album is the group’s first new studio album since 2005, when “Stories of a Stranger” was released, which included the band’s hits, “Love and Memories” and “Heard the World.” Gershman said the group is still trying to decide which single to issue next off the “All Sides” album; however, “Tried Me” and “This Town” are among the songs the band is considering.
In addition, “This Town” was featured by ESPN throughout the station’s coverage ó more than 60 hours ó of the College World Series.
Gershman said that was all pre-planned with ESPN and the exposure was great.
The album was recorded in Los Angeles and was produced by Matt Wallace (Maroon 5, Blues Traveler) and Rob Cavallo (Green Day, Goo Goo Dolls). The video for their first single off the album, “Shattered,” was filmed by rock photographer Danny Clinch.
The band has sold more than 1.4 million albums and performed in front of more than 1.3 million fans across the world, selling out Madison Square Garden in January 2006 and 2007.
Recently, they were named one of Performing Songwriter’s 100 Most Influential Independent Artists of the Past 15 Years.