By Jae-Ha Kim
Chicago Sun-Times
May 23, 2003
The new album by O.A.R., “In Between Now and Then” (Lava), won’t be in stores until Tuesday, but you can meet the boys and hear them sing Sunday at Tower Records.
“We love doing these shows,” says O.A.R. frontman Marc Roberge. “Any chance to play for an enthusiastic audience is a great time.”
If you’re a newbie fan, here’s a hint: Don’t call them “Oar.” Their name is short for “Of a Revolution.”
Fans or stalkers: Our fans are great. We’ve had two guys from Atlanta and two girls from the D.C. area follow us everywhere we go. We saw them in South Carolina and I’m sure they’ll be [at our next show].
Work ethic: We literally play any show we possibly can. Last year, we played a sweet 16 birthday party.
Available for bar mitzvahs: Actually, a buddy of mine is getting married and we’re trying to do that. There are 365 days and if we can fit it in, we’ll
do it, whether it’s for 20 people or 2,000.
Being honest: We’re not one of the more talented musical bands out there like Phish or Widespread Panic. We create a unified sound, though.
On the road again: I love touring, but at the same time it’s horrible to be away from home that long. I can count on my fingers and toes how many days I’ve spent with my girlfriend and family this year.
On finishing college: We all were hard-working students who also took our music seriously. It was important to all of us to finish college. Some of
the guys are still going and we do everything we can to help them.
Parental guidance: I told my mother at Thanksgiving during my junior year I was leaving college. She made it very clear I would finish what I had
started. My parents worked hard to give me opportunities they didn’t have.
Goals: I want to get my master’s [degree] so bad. I’d like to teach the study of lyrics at the university level and focus on Bob Dylan and Joan Baez
and all the others who succeeded in writing really great lyrics.
Your favorite lyricists: The greatest these days are hip-hop artists. Guys like me are taking their lead on how to weave words.
Your lyrics: I listen to some of the things I wrote when I was 17 and cringe. They were horrible. When you’re 17, you don’t know s—.
Changing tastes: I wasn’t a fan of Nirvana’s or Pearl Jam’s when I was younger. Looking back, I’ve learned to respect them.
Negative opinions: I made the mistake of reading some negative messages about us on the Internet right before a show. I know it was nothing
personal, but it still bummed me out. But after the show, a kid told me his brother passed away and said our songs picked him up.
25 Web sites dedicated to O.A.R.: Our fans are the best, so they make up for the others. [Laughs]
Your theory on music: You don’t need to blow people’s minds. You just need to be honest.
Your last loss: Literally? I placed some bets on the Kentucky Derby. Not a good day for me.
Where your money’s going: We pay for everything out of our own pockets, right down to the tour bus. So the last thing we’re concerned about is
buying a nice watch or clothes. We’d rather have nice amplifiers on stage.
On growing older: I’m only 24 now. I’m not sure whether I’m maturing or reverting to my idiot days when I was 17.
