What would you say is your most memorable moment from Madison Square Garden 2007?
My most memorable moment would have to be passing through the halls on the way to the stage minutes before we went on. Seeing the photos on the walls gave me a recent history lesson as we made our way to the stage. Out of nowhere I saw a picture of myself at the end of the hall and couldn't believe it. I think about it often. To be on that wall is an honor. I am still suspicious; however, that it was a "temporary" addition. Regardless, it makes me feel a part of an institution that will stand the test of time as the greatest arena in the world.
- Marc
What was the first show you ever played?
The first show I ever played was with Marc and Richard in a band called Exposed Youth. We played at our Eight Grade Talent Show and it was the loudest crowd we have ever had! The first O.A.R. show we played was in 1996 at the Grand Marquis in Olney, Maryland. We opened up for a band called 82 Lock-Socket. That first show got us in with the owners which led to us headlining our own shows there. The shows we played at the Grand Marquis are such an important part of our history because that's where we developed our own style of performing. Because the bar was so small and packed with our friends, it wouldn't have made sense to perform a rehearsed set with a structured beginning and ending, so we were forced to keep our sets loose. Musical improvisation and lyrical free-styling were also shaped at the Grand Marquis because if it wasn't exciting for us to play the same thing the same way every time, it wouldn't be interesting for our friends to hear it the same way every time either. Also, crowd interaction and participation from our friends in the audience at those shows set the tone for how we connect with each crowd at every show to this day. The shows at the Grand Marquis were some of the most memorable times of my entire life and I will never forget the first time we played there.
-Chris
What's your favorite venue to play?
My favorite venue to play is The Tabernacle in Atlanta, Georgia. I like it the most cause there are people surrounding you in all directions. Also because it is a converted church and playing there feels oddly spiritual.
-Benj
What your favorite song to play live?
It's hard to choose just one, but I would have to say "Untitled." There's something about that song that feels very natural for me to play on stage. Back in 1998-99 when Marc and I first wrote the song, it was a staple on our setlist. In 2004 the song went into semi-retirement and was played only a handful of times. 2005-07 we've gradually brought the song back and seem to be playing it more than ever.
-Rich
How would you compare MSG 2006 with MSG 2007?
When we played MSG in 2006, there were no expectations. We hoped we would sell about half the seats, and, for our own sake, make it as normal a night as possible. We just wanted to play and concentrate on putting on a good show for everyone. MSG 2006 was shaping up to be the biggest show of the band's career. Fortunately, we exceeded our own hopes for that night. We played a good show, though I think that it took us some time to settle into the evening and we certainly sold more than half the seats---we sold pretty much all of them. We felt a great sense of community for MSG 2006. We felt that not only did the band arrive on a bigger stage and hit a turning point in its career but our audience was right there with us. They were not in the seats that night, they were standing on that stage with us. We felt and continue to feel today that our audience pushes us and drives us forward. The dedication of our audience and our work ethic has taken us from a band that would play anything and everything a few short years ago to a band performing on one of the most prolific stages in the country, if not the world.
For 2007, the bar was set pretty high. We had sold the show out the year prior and had played a good show as well. We needed something to push us and drive us forward. There were now expectations placed upon the band based on the success of the previous year. We needed to do as well and better than in 2006. For years the band has been trying to find the right opportunity to capture the O.A.R. live show in a way that not only visually captured the show but also portrayed the energy and excitement of the evening as well. We saw MSG 2007 as the perfect setting for such an event. We knew we had the ability to go out on that stage and put on one of the best performances of our lives and we knew we were going to have the audience to back us up. 2006 was about the band's arrival into the elite club of MSG performers and 2007 was to solidify that we belonged there. 2007 was everything the 2006 show was and more. We had a sense of confidence and swagger that evening. The cameras weren't going to bother us, the fact that we had one shot to get the filming and recording right didn't bother us, and the fact that we all had about three hours sleep from the night before didn't bother us. These things helped us and fueled our performance. We were ready, we had arrived, and we weren't going anywhere.
-Jerry
Will Jerry ever run for President?
by sdljetsMay 24th, 2007
I probably should. I could certainly do a better job than some of the people in Washington.
- Jerry
When you guys are not on tour, how oftendo youguys hang out and what do you guys do?
by sdljetsMay 24th, 2007
We don’t hang out as often as I’d like to. We all live in different cities at the present time and my off time is mostly spent making up lost time with my family. I want to do a big band vacation at some point in the near future. The band definitely stays in touch. I’ll talk to the boys a few times on the phone and almost everyday on email or text messaging.
- Jerry
How do you feel when you know you nailed a song perfect? Not played it well, nailed it!
by Rightontime31May 25th, 2007
I’m fairly hard on my performances and a critical guy by nature. I listen to pretty much everything we do to find parts we played well and parts we didn’t. On average, we play consistently from night to night with a few stellar shows and a couple stinkers as well, though the bad ones are getting fewer and fewer. I always think I, and all of us as a group, can play songs better and we work to do that every night.
-Jerry
How do you guys decide to change or add intros. or outros. to older songs?
by Rightontime31May 25th, 2007
We don’t like the shows to become stale. If we become complacent with a song arrangement, it will show in our performance. New intros and outros are a way to keep the songs, especially the older material, feeling new and fresh to us.
-Jerry
when you come home to maryland to you still enjoy playing here, as much as other places?
by maryland 1993May 25th, 2007
I love playing in Maryland. It's a great feeling. Not only does it remind us that we come from a special place, but it is positive reinforcement that what we are doing means something to those who understand our way of life.
- Benj
I think it rings truer for the other boys since they grew up in Maryland, but I love to come and play in their hometown. I spent a few summers living on Marc’s couch and eating Janie Culos’ sandwiches and I lived in a friend’s basement in Bethesda, MD, so I know a good deal of people from there and it is always nice to see them. I think the Maryland/Virginia community has a sense of pride when it comes to the band. When we play in the MD area, I feel like we’re the home team and the audience is rooting for us.
- Jerry
