Published: July 28, 2005

O.A.R. to Release "Stories of a Stranger" on October 4, 2005

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Groundbreaking New Album to Shatter Misconceptions Surrounding One of Today's Most Successful DIY Bands

Brand New Single "The Stranger" to Go to AAA & HOT AC Formats August 22

Unsung heroes O.A.R. are putting the final touches on their seventh album entitled "Stories of a Stranger," which will be released on Lava Records on October 04, 2005. The long-awaited new studio effort will undoubtedly shatter many of the misconceptions surrounding the band, who are without fail, one of the most successful bands to come up through the DIY ranks. O.A.R.'s ground breaking new disc is a tour de force and will ultimately reign as the band's defining album of their career. Overall, "Stories of a Stranger" provides a glimpse inside the heart of a traveling musician, the frustrations of being pulled in several directions at once and the many faces of the wandering soul.

"We've got a lot riding on this record," remarked O.A.R. vocalist Marc Roberge. "We tend to get pigeon holed as a jam band, a college band or a touring band. We haven't been taken seriously as songwriters and this is our chance to prove that we are first and foremost a rock n' roll band and our songs have staying power."

O.A.R. enlisted the help of veteran producer and former Talking Head's principle Jerry Harrison to produce "Stories of a Stranger." Harrison, whose recent credits include albums from Live, Verve Pipe and the Von Bondies, helped O.A.R. craft a cohesive and fuller sound without losing the band's signature island-vibe feel. The album, over a year in the making, was recorded at Crystalphonic Recording Studio in Charlottesville, Virginia, Sausalito Sound in California, and at Chung King Studios in New York City.

Several guest musicians were enlisted to appear on "Stories of a Stranger" including keyboardist Bernie Worrell of Parliament and songbird Toby Lightman who lends backing vocals to the album's first single "The Stranger" along with the slide-guitar track "Heard The World." O.A.R. also joined forces with tunesmith Glen Ballard on the songs "Love and Memories" inspired by the film "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind" and "Program Director," which brings back the halcyon days of FM radio when fans would call their local radio station and request their favorite songs. Other notable tracks on the album include the previously unrecorded track "Wonderful Day" which is an O.A.R. live show staple and "One Shot" which shows off O.A.R.'s deftness in combining elements of reggae with rock n' roll.

Considered by many to be one of the top touring acts in the country, O.A.R. is currently in the midst of their annual summer tour, which is giving lucky fans an opportunity to hear live versions of several of the new tracks off "Stories of a Stranger." By summer's end, O.A.R. will have performed in front of 166,000 fans as a headliner and 263,000 fans nationwide which includes Dave Matthews Band support dates. In addition to the summer headline tour, O.A.R. will once again headline its fourth annual Feeling Better Than Everfine Festival on August 20th in Chicago. The festival has become a rite of passage for many emerging artists, including Maroon 5, Marc Broussard, and Howie Day.

O.A.R. has sold three quarters of a million albums and played to over 800,000 people since their humble beginnings in drummer Chris Culos's basement. In a time when the music-industry shied away from internet song swapping, O.A.R. embraced the practice with passion, encouraging fans to tape early shows and trade them online. As the practice grew, so did O.A.R. The band has released six albums, including major label debut "In Between Now And Then" (Lava Records, 2003). O.A.R. is singer/guitarist Marc Roberge, lead guitarist Richard On, bassist Benj Gershman, drummer Chris Culos and saxophonist Jerry DePizzo. For up-to-date information, go to www.ofarevolution.com