O.A.R.

Tonight, 7 p.m.

Metropol, $20

(412) 323-1919… O.A.R.

Tonight, 7 p.m.

Metropol, $20

(412) 323-1919

O.A.R. – Of a Revolution – has paid their dues playing colleges and universities. Their tour schedule used to consist of mainly higher education stops, with some clubs or other venues splashed in here and there. Now, quite the opposite is true.

Since their performance at M (formerly Metropol, then M, and now back to Metropol) last December, they have returned a few times. In June they opened up for both Clarks shows at the Amphitheatre at Station Square, and revisited in August to play the Jeep World Outside Festival with Train and Sheryl Crow at the Post-Gazette Pavilion.

They must have missed Pittsburgh after almost a seven-month hiatus – the five guys from Maryland who began their trek to fame at Ohio State University are back to play a St. Patrick’s Day spectacular. It might be a lucky day for the Irish, but it isn’t Celtic music that’s going to come full force. It’s island-vibe-roots-rock.

Novices, that’s an eclectic combination of rock, ska, folk and reggae that flows oh-so-well. They sound sort of like the jam bands that are popping up everywhere these days, but they had their rhythmic sounds going for them years before jamming became all the rage again. And, they put most similar bands to shame.

While they haven’t released a new studio album since 2001’s Risen, they have bestowed upon us a live two-disc compilation, Any Time Now, that doesn’t begin to do their performances justice. You can hear dedicated fans singing along at some points, and the energy that O.A.R. puts forth is almost unmatchable.

Heartfelt ballads such “I Feel Home” and “Hold On True” are meshed in with vibrant, animated tunes like “City on Down,” “Hey Girl” and “Destination.” And of course, there’s the old favorite that many were introduced to at frat parties, “That Was a Crazy Game of Poker.” These songs are sure to burst off the stage tonight.

O.A.R. is playing the Roads Outside of Columbus tour with Marc Broussard and Pseudopod. Bonus for those who can hold off on drinking green beer until later in the day – they are also playing a noon show at the Best Buy on McKnight Road.