By Jena Davison
Madison Magazine
Special To Channel 3000

For a mid-sized Midwestern city, Madison attracts lots of national touring music acts. One of this year's biggest coups was securing O.A.R. for the Nov. 1 State Street Halloween celebration Freakfest.

O.A.R. saxophonist Jerry DePizzo has a personal link to Madison: part sense of comfort, part sense of nostalgia. He said the band has been playing in Madison for a long time and each time they come, they feel at home. All of the band members attended Ohio State so the Big Ten college feel of Madison satisfies their longing for their own college years.

"We find comfort in Madison," said DePizzo. "It feels like a familiar place -- like hanging out at a buddy's place."

O.A.R., which stands for "Of A Revolution," consists of Marc Roberge (lyrics, vocals and rhythm guitar), Richard On (lead guitar), Benj Gershman (bass), Jerry DePizzo (saxophone) and Chris Culos (drums). The band produced their first independent record "The Wanderer" in 1997 while still in high school. Over the next six years and with two more albums under their belt, "Souls Aflame" (2000) and "Risen" (2001), O.A.R. sold over 300,000 CDs independently before scoring a record deal with Lava Records in 2003.

Fast-forward to January 2006 and the self-risen quintet sold out Madison Square Garden for the first of two times, a testament to their rapidly growing and devoted fan base.

O.A.R.'s music is all about fun, energy and versatility. The band has ventured far and wide stylistically over the last twelve years, and every facet of that journey is apparent in their latest studio album "All Sides." True to their character, their lyrics share stories, recollect memories and embody experiences. On this album, O.A.R. has experimented with a vast array of instrumental combinations that pull from a diverse pool of influences -- from poetry to encounters with the U.S. troops -- all serving as a backdrop to Roberge's wonderfully raspy voice.

O.A.R. will be the headlining act at this year's State Street Freakfest celebration on Nov. 1, which DePizzo said will be "like a walk down memory lane."

Some insight from O.A.R. saxophonist Jerry DePizzo:

Q: What are your expectations for Freakfest?

A: Well the name is 'Freakfest' so we are expecting that. I'm expecting crazy -- a lot of energy and a lot of fun -- and a lot of screaming from the audience.

Q: What can Freakfest concertgoers expect to see at your State Street show?

A: High energy, material spanning our entire career, some new songs -- we are adapting them, and adapting old ones as well. Expect a lot of fun -- we have been having a lot of fun with our tours lately and it will carry over to this tour as well. You can't lie to an audience, they can see right through that.

Q: The mayor and Freakfest committee said they worked hard to find an act that would be enjoyed by a wide range of audiences. What is it about your music that makes it appealing to many different types of audiences?

A: There is no rocket science to our music. It is whatever feels good. Listening to it will allow you to just enjoy yourself -- and put things that may be bothering you aside for the moment.