Genres

Metal / Hardcore, Rock

Related links

• Oral MySpace
• PHOTOGALLERY: Boboflex (with Oral) at The Cellar

History

ORAL is a three-piece powerhouse out of Youngstown, Ohio. They combine high energy performances, straight forward lyrics and a dynamic rhythm section to create a style with a groove all it's own. "I remember the first guitar I ever owned." says Stephen Paul, the front man of the trio. Stephen says laughing "It was a kind of straight copy but it only had two strings. I would have friends stop by and listen to me play songs." Having spent most of their lives in working class Youngstown, Paul Starkey (Bass) and Stephen Paul (Vocals/Guitar) grew up developing their unique approach to music, heard in the strands of their original music. The two hooked up with Bill Werner (Drummer). "I had known Paul and Steve for a few years; they drew me in looking looking for a more rhythmically intricate sound." Steve and Paul agreed that Bill added the essential rhythmic counterpoint to Steve's lyrical journeys. "We always wanted to do things that were unheard of, things that push peoples imagination, says Paul. "It's not like we go out of our way to be different or anything. I think people can relate to our songs." ORAL recorded their first album "Diversity" in 2002 at Ampreon Recording Studio. The 9 track album propelled ORAL to become one of Ohio's premier rock acts. It allowed them to play with bands such as Dope, Skindred, and Sponge (just to name a few); in addition to catching the eyes of labels. ORAL signed with Sound Spectrum Records in 2007. Now, with a label behind them and the release of their new full length, 13 track album "Word Of Mouth," ORAL is ready to be a force in the rock world! "People always ask me how I can write the kind of things I do, and I never really have an answer for that." Steve confesses. "I can only write about what I feel, about what has happened to me, and about what haunts me. You can change in some ways as you grow older but it's what's inside that never really changes at all."

Musicians