Oral member speaks out on finally making it big

By John Benson

The Youngstown rock act is opening for Puddle of Mudd.

The time is now.

That’s the rally cry for Youngstown rock act Oral, which is hoping the next six months find the trio – Mike Chomas (bass), Stephen Paul (vocals/guitar) and Bill Werner (drummer) — on the move.

The biggest news is that the veteran Youngstown band recently finished recording its third studio effort, “Stimulation,” which is due out this fall. The new album is specifically important to Chomas, a 1992 Brookfield High School graduate who joined the band a few years ago. “Stimulation” marks his studio debut with Oral, which over the years has evolved from its heavy metal beginnings to its current mainstream hard rock sound.

“I think the new album has less effects and is more raw and more actual rock,” Chomas said. “There are a lot of effects and scratches on the last album, ‘Word of Mouth,’ so what we’re trying to do now as a three-piece is not hide behind any sweeteners anymore.

“There are like some samples and some distorted vocals we use on our new album, but it’s no different than bands like Puddle of Mudd or Disturbed do.”

Speaking of Puddle of Mudd, Oral opens for the “She Hates Me” band Thursday at the Cleveland Agora. This gig comes on the heels of another major opening slot last week when Oral played with Filter at the Woodshock festival in Bellefontaine.

Chomas said the band’s increased popularity is evident with plenty of MySpace attention. While this almost led to a Seether opening gig earlier this year at the Chevy Centre, the group has regularly enjoyed packed houses for local dates, including a recent Barley’s show.

When asked what it will take for Oral to make the leap from regional group to national touring act, Chomas replied, “I’d have to say local support and the right connections, which we already have. But we need the recognition from the Valley. We’re not little anymore. We’re top of the line.

“But it’s not like it’s a free ride. You have to do the grunt work, you have to show album sales and get more fan support. We have the fans, so it’s just a matter of getting more promotion. When we do a gig, there’s not enough promotion behind it. If we had promotion, we’d be packing arenas, so it’s just a matter of that happening.”