O.A.R.

Hello

It’s been about a year since I blogged. I’ve credited a writer’s block to a few trusted individuals to account for my lack of verbage. But now, to myself and you blogging community, I credit distractions. So, people of the internet, I am 100% not distracted from getting to the topic of this ‘first blog in awhile’ as it is the most important news ever.

Not.

Though this news rivals when peanut butter was invented, or for me personally, when I first got my hands on a Nintendo, playing Zelda with my big bro. As exciting as an eclipse to a stargazer.

You see, my band, O.A.R. (….of a revolution.) will be releasing our ninth album, titled or entitled, All Sides, today, July 15th 2008.

Okay, I’m distracted by two questions that have come to mind that I cannot answer. One, I wonder how many people out there know that the dots around of a revolution stand for something? And two, why the heck are gas prices so high? (Stupid people have something to do with high gas prices. I just know it.)

Back to the subject, before I stop blogging for another year. This new album means a darn lot to our band. First of all, we’re pleased as punch to hit nine albums together. It’s going on thirteen years (yea, lucky 13), and we feel we are only strengthening who we are as a band over this course of time. To one another, the five of us bandmates keep saying we are in a new era, and we are genuinely enjoying it, while making the most of it.

You may want to re-read the end of that last paragraph.

So, I guess I can/should talk about the making of this album.

Making this record was like a whole sports season I imagine. There were all kinds of prepping, planning, discussing, and arranging happening before we even got to have pre-game batting practice. Soundchecks, rehearsals, days off, email chains (practices) were all dedicated to this before we even hit the studio (the big game) for I guess about a year and a half. No joke. After all this, Marc/Rich and some Jerry did more writing out west in LA. Then we slid into pre-production, at which time the songs weren’t even finished, so what did we do? We worked on these tunes until they were. Then they were.

We stayed at this creepy cool place called the Oakwood Apartments. This place was a GIANT complex of apartments that were two-bedroom hotel rooms with full kitchens. So you feel like you’re at home, but you’re not. We commuted everyday from there, and so many people yelled at us while we drove. We never heard them though, they were in their vehicles with the windows closed and since so were we. Also, around the hotel probably coming by from a charred Griffiths Park, there were friggin’ coyotes.

The studio we worked in was exactly what we needed. Sound City is in the Valley (in Van Nuys) outside cool LA (not the Valley). It wasn’t glamorous but the place had a lot of history and vibe. Many great albums were made there. Look the place up if you want, if you dig around you’ll find cool stories about it I bet. As well, it had some killer gear for us to play with while there…including a Cyclone pinball machine. Most of the gear I speak of is music recording related fyi…I know, I know, I do not need any more distractions, right? The place was well-run and we had a stellar producer, Mr. Matt Wallace. Things went smooth, though when I was recording bass my head almost exploded one day.

Our team of labels/management back east were great during all this, supporting us in so many ways allowing us to do our thing out there, yet of course and thankfully, keeping an eye on us, lending constructive bits and pieces of tasty advice when they were needed/helpful. Respect to them on that. So we did our thing, I can’t really explain it, it’s just on the record, which gets me to my point.

I hope you listen to it! Whoever you are. Thanks if you do.

Last two points. One, our new website will be out very soon…maybe so soon, its already up. And two, I am very excited to tour this summer. We’re going to have a great summer of concerts (some of which have already taken place) so if you are looking for some live music, consider us a viable option, please. Also, we have a cool program being instituted for our summer shows called the Green Dream. We will have recycling stations set up at a bunch of venues in order to encourage a more environmentally conscious experience at our shows. We are going to be a little something to help our planet out, so you can catch live tunes and green this globe at the same time. Not to mention, we have two kickass bands playing with us. Ozomatli and The Beautiful Girls.

Really that’s enough outta me.

To see our Tour Dates, CLICK HERE.

Wow, I missed blogging. Maybe I’ll do this again, when our next album comes out.

Oh yea, to link to iTunes, CLICK HERE.

Take care,

Benj