shawn@collegehoops.net
January 24th, 2006
Band of the Week: O.A.R Interview
Band:
O.A.R.
Band Member:
Jerry DePizzo
Hometown:
Columbus, OH
College:
Ohio State University
What's
O.AR.'s favorite college athletics team?
Our favorite college team is The Ohio State Buckeyes. The
entire band went to OSU for college. We bleed scarlet and grey.
Do you watch much college
basketball? If not, what sports are you into?
We are on the road so much it is very difficult to really
watch TV but I try to catch as many Buckeye games as I can. I got into the
OSU basketball team in 1997, my freshman year at OSU. I lived in the same
dorm suite as Michael Redd and I followed him throughout his college and pro
career. After he left college my interest died off. I've had more interest
in the basketball team since Thad Matta signed up to be the head coach of
Buckeye basketball. I really liked what he did with Xavier and his influence
is already making a difference with the team.
My real passion lies with Buckeye football. Everything
comes to a halt when a game is on.
College basketball's
grand finale is of course the Final Four. If you had to choose a Final Four
of your favorite bands of all-time, who would you choose to listen too?
Which group would metaphorically win it all?
It would have to be the Beatles, The Police, U2, and The
Rolling Stones. All of these bands have withstood the test of time and are
still relevant today. I think it would come down to the Stones and the
Beatles with the Beatles taking the crown. You just can't win when you're up
against the Beatles.
If you could hang out for
an evening with any athlete, college or pro, who would it be?
I'd like to see Michael Redd again. I've fallen out of
touch with him since our freshman year. I'm very proud to see him succeed in
the NBA and I'd like to tell him as much.
Basketball's often
associated with hip-hop music. But which of your band's songs do you think
most goes with the sport?
I would say our song "One Shot" would probably be the
best fit. Obviously the title sounds like it could have a connection to
basketball but it also talks about getting the chance and having the ability
to exceed your potential and make the most of who you are. The "One Shot" is
life's metaphoric last shot of the game.
Have you guys played at
many college venues or played in a lot of college towns? Which schools did
you most enjoy playing at or which school's students were the best audience?
O.A.R. has played at many colleges and it is sometimes
hard to keep them all straight in your head. It is hard to pick one school
over another. I like to play Big Ten schools because the students know we
went to OSU. Some of my most enjoyable college shows have happened at Penn
State and Wisconsin.
All college athletic
teams, of course, have a mascot like the Blue Devils or Tigers or
Wolverines. If your band could have a mascot, what would it be?
We actually have one, though he is not actually a mascot.
The "Tambourine Ninja" comes out to our shows every night and plays on stage
with us. He appeared one day to break up the monotony of a very long tour
and to make us all laugh. His identity is an enigma wrapped in a riddle.
Learn more about O.A.R. and other great music in
CHN's Band of the Week archive.
