When I was presented with free tickets to the O.A.R concert, I immediately snatched them up, I'm not exactly one to turn down a free show. But needless to say I was not expecting anything spectacular from the show, I didn't really know much about the bands. I knew "love and memories" by O.A.R and the song isn't awful, but it's nothing to pay 30 bucks for.
So I was incredibly surprised when I found myself impressed with all of the acts.
First on was Steven Kellogg and the Sixers. Unfortunately I arrived to the show a little late so I only caught the tail end of his set. But from what I saw, there's some talent there. With Steve on vocals and guitar, he somehow manages to weave his quirky personality into his music. If he can keep up what he is doing now, as well as expand the variety of songs he plays, he just might be someone worth buying.
Next on was Augustana, who played the worst set of the three bands. They played your typical "scene" set, with an acoustic power-punk sound driving their performance. They were very cliche and boring. Except for one song, which entailed the use of a mandolin and an organ, that was without a doubt thier best song played. It's what made me even give this band a chance. The song streched beyond the band's power-punk, cliche boundries. However, I was very impressed with with keyboardist, John Vincent. He is to Augustana as John Fruisante is to the Red Hot Chili Peppers. He is the man in the shadows of the lead singer, with more talent, great harmonizing vocals and is a master of his craft. So if this band wants to get serious and make some great music all they have to do is ditch the lead singer, and experiment with some new instruments to alter thier sound.
Lastly, O.A.R closed out the show. I was not expecting much from them but I was sure I would enjoy a live version of "Love and Memories." It turns out that was the worst song on thier set. The music itself was great, but every song sounded like it could have been thier closing song. All of the songs creshendoed, increased in tempo and the light show glared, creating that grande finale effcet. At first it was great, it made me think much more of this band. But then it got old after a while. It was like if they didn't play those types of songs, they turned into just another mediocre rock band. Mainly because all of the talent of this band lies with Jerry DePizzo, the saxaphone player. He is incredibly talented and at one point of the show he was making love to his saxaphone so well that it was creating notes that either sounded like a 12 year old girls scream, but good, or it was a note I was pretty sure only dogs could hear. It was absolutely incredible. It's unfortunate that he is the only thing drving this band. If they could write better songs with lyrics that weren't so cliche, and add different types of insruments to thier ensemble, they could easily make it up the charts, at least in my book.
Overall I give this show a B-.
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i wouldn't have expected much of OAR either. some bands' songs really just all sound the same. you can tell they're churning them out just to make up albums to sell. now the dave matthews band on the other hand will typically play and record hundreds of songs before they pick their favorite bunch for an album. that's why their music all sounds so different and fantastic. i wouldn't have minded seeing that guy make love to his saxophone though, not gonna lie.
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