We're into a lot of science fiction concepts and themes, which is where the name comes from. OA is the home planet of the guardians of the universe.

We're more studio oriented, which allows us to put out new material on a regular basis. I've done plenty of gigs with various bands over the years, but my preference and focus is much more on studio work. Luke is more live geared, his cover band plays out a lot.

If anything, it can only help to reach more people through mp3's anywhere in the world. Its all about exposure and building/expanding your fan base.

In the right situation, sure. For now, the indie labels are the way to go, naturally you retain more control and higher percentages this way.

OA is a two man studio band featuring myself and bassist Luke James. Formed in Memphis in late 1997. We've played together in various groups since 1993, such as Stillife (with Shannon Harris,the drummer from our former band, Jesus Palomino). Luke filled in at times with JP when needed, and Shannon with OA. There's a great chemistry there, excellent musicians, and good friends, which certainly helps. Ursa Minor : I've known drummer Leo Dyer since we were kids, growing up in the same area. Very talented, versatile musician (plays drums and guitar) and we're glad to finally have a chance to work together. Jeff Robinson goes back to the mid 90's with our old band Stillife. He engineered the final Stillife album, one of my solo projects, and the first few OA albums at his studio Sound Traxx in Memphis. Having him onboard both as a bass player and engineer is a gigantic asset to us. JR's already in the mix with both the Earth City Freeway side project (playing bass and engineering vocals) as well as bass lines for new Ursa Minor material.

Our primary influences start with the classic 60's and 70's psychedelic/early prog bands such as Pink Floyd, Beatles, Hendrix, Cream, Deep Purple, Yes, Sabbath, the Doors, as well as metal bands/guitarists like Helloween, Megadeth, Diamond Head, Maiden, Fates Warning, Queensryche, Savatage, John Sykes, Jake E Lee, Joe Satriani, and Alex Skolnick to name a few.

Between Batesville, Memphis and Nashville, you have a wide variety of music for all tastes, great food, sports, and friendly people.

We have a wide variety of gear....I use Fender, Ibanez and Ovation guitars, Crate heads and combo amps, Peavey and Marshall cabs, Fender, Ernie Ball and Martin strings, Yamaha and Roland synths, Shure mics, Boss and Zoom effects, Crybaby wah. My primary recording guitars are a 2008 grey Ibanez RG 3ex, a red 2001 custom Fender Fat Strat, and a maroon '07 Ovation Legend LX acoustic/electric. Luke uses Fender and Gibson basses, Galien Kruger and Crate amps, Fender and GHS strings. We record with a Fostex VF-08 hard disk recorder, and mix down to a rackmount Sony PCM-R300 DAT, AKG and Yamaha headphones, Hosa and Monster cables.

A special thanks goes out to our good friend Jeff Robinson from Sound Traxx for his many years of mixing and engineering our albums.
Here's our youtube video channel link for all the clips so far, and some variety....
http://www.youtube.com/user/Apoc37