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Oxygen Biography:Somewhere between a small Midwestern town and a tiny room filled with pictures of vibrant tropical islands and the big city skyline, lies the blueprints to a musical style that can loosen a grown man's tie on a Monday afternoon. Oxygen's 2005 release, Volume 1, not only ignited their musical career, but also bonded them forever as friends.
Oxygen began with four passionate musicians brought together by what some might call fate. "Each of us brings an eclectic mix of ingredients to the table, but when we come together musically, the results are extraordinary," explains bassist Yale Thomas. Oxygen has gained the respect of fans and critics across the country by infusing their music with the raw creativity that has driven their powerful live performances since 2003.
The band’s ever-ambitious attitude towards marketing spreads their music to a broad fan base that surpasses the core demographic most acts strive for. The quality of their music, its ability to touch people on a deep emotional level, and their exciting live performance is the formula that not only draws first-time concert goers, but also keeps the loyal fans coming back for more. Whether Oxygen is playing in front of an intimate crowd of 25 or a festival of 25,000, as they did when they recently shared the stage with Bon Jovi at the 2007 Cheyenne Frontier Days, their ability to connect with their audience and win them over is what drives their diverse and loyal fan base. "When we started out marketing the band, we just thought about college kids and getting the album on campuses around the country," said drummer, Jason Mateljan. "But the more we played, the more diverse the crowd became.
An Oxygen show attracts a wide variety of people from all walks of life, from college kids to forty-something's and everyone in between. "I can actually go and see the band with my mom, my brother, my grandmother, or whoever and everyone just gets it." says one loyal fan. "They cross over into just about any generation, even my 5 year old daughter walks around singing the songs all the time," says another.
Some of Oxygen’s more recent performances have included supporting such artists as Gavin DeGraw, Bon Jovi, The Samples, and Candlebox. Playing with such a diverse mix of artists is a testament to their ability to crossover to different musical genres and demographics. Lead Vocalist Brent Cerny explains the band’s writing style. "We consciously try to touch upon every human emotion with our music, and that’s what connects us so tightly with not only our current fans, but also draws new fans in very quickly no matter who we share a stage with."
There’s no better proof of Oxygen’s crossover ability than their 2007 release “Do You Want To Play A Game” from the SAW IV Original Motion Picture Soundtrack. Co-written with Jonathan McHugh, the song was a complete departure from the band’s normal sound. The track quickly became one of the standouts on the soundtrack and is a fan favorite at live shows with people screaming along with every word.
In late 2007, Oxygen released their long awaited symbolic anthem; “Beach House” intended to be the title track of their sophomore CD. "With the new album, we’re trying to find a great hook in every tune , we really pay attention to current trends in radio and also what gets our fans going when we’re testing new material in the live shows," says Lead Guitarist, Kevin Carlson. "We were all brought up listening to classic hit makers such as The Police, Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young, Tom Petty, and The Rolling Stones, and, we are a band that loves a brilliant hook.”
Through it all, one thing has become undeniably certain; Oxygen's popularity continues to grow at a remarkable rate and they have no intention of putting on the brakes. With their debut CD closing in on 100,000 printed copies and fans begging for more, it’s clear a bright future lies ahead for the phenomenon known as Oxygen.
Instrumentation
Brent Cerny - Acoustic Guitar, Lead Vocals
Jason Mateljan - Drums, Percussion
Yale Thomas - Bass Guitar, Vocals
Kevin Carlson - Electric Guitar
Discography
Basement Sessions - 2001
Olive St. Sessions - 2003
Volume 1 - 2005
Saw IV - Original Motion Picture - Soundtrack - 2007
Beach House - Single - 2008
