O.A.R.
Maryland's own — 'That Was a Crazy Game of Poker' a state holiday in these parts, roots-rock jam warmth built over decades.
O.A.R., short for Of A Revolution, began in eighth grade when Marc Roberge and drummer Chris Culos, classmates at Robert Frost Middle School in Rockville, Maryland, started playing cover songs, including Eric Clapton's Wonderful Tonight and Pearl Jam's Porch, partly inspired by Roberge's older brother, who drummed for the band Foxtrot Zulu.
The band took its current name in 1996 at Thomas Sprigg Wootton High School, adding guitarist Richard On and bassist Benj Gershman; the name came from a story Roberge wrote at sixteen and refers to a musical revolution rather than anything political. A trip to Israel that same summer, with Roberge, Gershman and Culos, left a mark on the group's songwriting.
The three continued together at Ohio State University in Columbus, where On rejoined after a year at Montgomery College and where they recruited saxophonist Jerry DePizzo, from Youngstown, Ohio, completing the line-up. Their debut album, The Wanderer, was recorded in 1997 at Gizmo Recording in Wheaton, Maryland, and sold independently through CD Baby before the band graduated in 2001.
Roberge remains the band's singer and guitarist, DePizzo's saxophone still a distinctive part of arrangements built on guitar, bass and drums, joined on tour by trumpet player Jon Lampley and keyboardist Mikel Paris. The music mixes roots rock and reggae-inflected rhythm with the extended, improvisation-friendly structures of the jam scene.
O.A.R. built its following through relentless touring and tape-trading among college audiences rather than radio, signing to Lava Records in 2003. Shattered (Turn the Car Around) reached number 36 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 2008, the band's only entry on that chart, and was later ranked among Billboard's greatest adult alternative songs. Long-form live favourites remain central to shows across a catalogue of ten studio and six live albums.
Festivals O.A.R. is playing
O.A.R. at a glance
What festivals is O.A.R. playing in 2026?
O.A.R. is booked at 1 festival: Oceans Calling 2026.
When does O.A.R. play at Oceans Calling?
Friday, September 25, 6:00 – 7:00 PM at Rockville.
Where is O.A.R. from?
O.A.R. is from Rockville, MD.
What kind of music does O.A.R. play?
O.A.R. is tagged roots rock and jam.
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Counting CrowsDave Matthews BandHootie & the BlowfishHootie and the BlowfishJoan OsborneJohn FogertyShinyribsThe Alternate Routes
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