Collegiate Times

Benj Gershman, bassist for the band O.A.R., speaks with the Collegiate Times about tonight's concert.

He provides an inside look at the experiences and influences that have shaped the band that will be rocking the house in Burruss Auditorium.

Q: So you're originally from Maryland, how did the band come together as the O.A.R. we know today?

A: Mark, Richard and Chris played in a band before O.A.R. was O.A.R. That didn't work out; it was like a middle school thing. Then they got to high school where I was family-friends with Marc and I was a lifeguard with Chris. When we figured it out was when Chris and I started lifeguarding and we started talking about it, and it made sense to hold a rehearsal. And then that was that; we just went from there.

Q: Any plans in the works for a new album sometime soon?

A: Yeah, we're hoping early summer to come out with our new album we've been recording for a few months. We're on to the mixing and mastering phase, which will take a little time, but we're getting there and things should fall together for a May or June release.

Q: I really liked "Stories of a Stranger" (the most recent studio album). How would you say O.A.R. has evolved as a band since that album and what can we expect in the new one?

A: We're always trying new stuff and seeing what works, and this album, it's just O.A.R., it's who we are now. It's elements of our past, elements of our present and elements of our future. Expect a wide range of different sounds, some familiar, some not as familiar, but all very recognizable and understandable as things that our band would do.

Q: What bands or artists did you grow up listening to that most influenced your music?

A: I was a big fan of Led Zeppelin and Aerosmith. I listened to the Beastie Boys, Bob Marley and the Wailers. Each of us has had a lot of different influences that just shaped our sound and stuff.

And I think when you listen to our tunes, a lot of that comes through in different ways, especially how each of us contributes to songs in our own way.

Q: So, what is your favorite song to perform live?

A: I like playing them all, but I like to play our more energetic songs, just because the crowd is more involved. I would say that "That was a Crazy Game of Poker" is an exciting one to play, and I also like to play the song "Destination" a lot.

Q: I've watched the Live in Madison Square Garden DVD and that seemed to be a milestone show for your band, would you agree?

A: It's definitely a milestone in our career, but I don't know if it's the milestone in our career. I don't think there's any one achievement that I'd put over any other one. I look at all of them as really important and each as their own little stage of growth. Our first CD release party was pretty cool and so are some of the things we've done with our high school friends.

We've gone back home and played shows in our friends' backyards and done things that no one really knows about. Doing things like that always means a lot to us.

Q: Looking forward to any other big shows coming up? Any other shows close by during February?

A: Not really anything lined up. We're trying to get some spring shows in the works but we haven't really set those dates yet. We're definitely going to be out this whole summer though, that's in our plans.

Q: Last but not least, what can we expect to see from you guys tonight?

A: It's not for sure, but our drummer said he might wear a hula skirt, but other than that we'll just be having fun playing our music.

We're happy to be coming there, we know you guys have had a rough year so we're going to try and put something fun together.

O.A.R. will be performing with special guests Stephen Kellogg and the Sixers.