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Interview: O.A.R.’s Chris Culos on the band’s beginnings, staying inspired, and returning to Mohegan Sun
File photo: O.A.R. performing at Hartford Healthcare Ampitheater in Bridgeport, Connecticut in August 2023
There’s something rare and enduring about a band that not only survives the churn of the music industry but continues to thrive with purpose. O.A.R. — short for Of A Revolution — is that band. And this August, they’re bringing their decades-long musical journey, infectious energy, and heartfelt connection with fans back to Mohegan Sun Arena.
If you’ve ever been to an O.A.R. show, you know what to expect: a night of music that feels less like a concert and more like a celebration. But for the band, it’s more than performance. It’s about connection, evolution, and a creative spark that was ignited in a Maryland basement over 25 years ago and never dimmed.
In a conversation with Finding Connecticut, drummer and founding member Chris Culos opened up about the band’s early days, the origin of their name, and their ongoing passion for creating music on their own terms.
From “Exposed Youth” to a Revolution
Chris Culos of O.A.R. performs at Hartford Healthcare Amphitheater in Bridgeport, Connecticut in 2024. Photo by Kris Forland
Chris Culos shared that their very first band in eighth grade was called Exposed Youth. “It dawned on us later what that actually meant — and we were like, ohh, okay,” he laughed. But even from those early years, the desire to explore sound and song was real.
Eventually, O.A.R. began rehearsing regularly in his mom’s basement. “Every Tuesday after school, sometimes more. We’d take breaks on the front porch, just talking, jamming. It was this constant shuffle between rooms, and somewhere in that rhythm, the name Of A Revolution was born,” Chris recalled.
The name itself came from a short story their lead singer Mark Roberge had written, titled The Wanderer. “It was taken from a sentence in that story,” Chris explained. “We didn’t know what it meant at first. It just clicked — we knew it was right.” The story inspired many of their early songs, weaving tales of youth, change, and discovery.
“We were 16, so we weren’t really writing first-person songs. We were telling stories. That’s what of a revolution meant to us — a musical revolution. Finding our voice.”
Napster, mislabels, and becoming “O.A.R.”
Chris also spoke about how Napster and early music sharing platforms both helped and complicated their rise. “People were downloading our songs under all the wrong names,” he said. “We’d get to a show and fans would request a song that wasn’t even the title — it was just the first lyric they heard.”
That digital confusion led to the band embracing the abbreviation O.A.R. — something fans had already begun calling them. “It was easier. We didn’t fight it — it stuck.”
Creative control and vinyl revival
When asked about how they’ve managed to stay independent, Chris emphasized the band’s commitment to creative control. “We’ve always tried to do as much in-house as we can. We want to have full creative control — the art, the packaging, the sound quality. All of it.”
This approach is evident in their upcoming vinyl releases. “We’ve been going back through the archives, re-releasing some albums as box sets, revisiting the original artwork, even picking the vinyl colors ourselves,” Chris said. “There’s no date for All Sides yet, but it’s coming. We’re doing them all.”
He recommends fans check the band’s website for the vinyl editions since they’re not typically found in major retail stores. “You can find us — especially in mom-and-pop shops.”
A band you don’t just listen to — you experience
As our conversation wrapped up, Chris reflected on the band’s lasting appeal. “That spirit — that revolution — it’s still there. We’re still evolving.”
O.A.R. has always been more than a band. They’re a movement, a memory, a moment in time. And on that summer night at Mohegan Sun, they’ll prove it once again. Whether you’re a longtime fan or discovering them for the first time, O.A.R. delivers authenticity and connection few acts can match.
O.A.R. is performing at Mohegan Sun on August 24, 2025. Click here to purchase tickets.
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