"Our music emanates auras of frustration, angst, beauty, sadness, disgust, hope, confusion, anger and sometimes all of those things simultaneously," explains singer Russ Eckell. "And whatever the message," he continues, "it must be honest, and very intense."

In their mid teens, high school friends in Columbia, Maryland formed Oddzar out of their mutual drive to create distinct and meaningful melody. In late 1999 the band released a 3-song demo recorded in Essex, MD. This demo was an eclectic and odd blend, combining the angst and political passion of bands like Rage Against the Machine and Bad Brains with the rock-funk stylings of bands like The Red Hot Chili Peppers and George Clinton. The band sold copies of their first demo off-stage throughout Maryland.

Shortly after the release, original guitar player, David Nenner, left the band and Oddzar decided to reinvent its sound. "We felt a need to avoid musical trends such as pop-punk, emo, and rap-metal," explains Russ, instead attaining inspiration from substance-over-style, off-center influences such as Pink Floyd, Rush, Tool, Radiohead, and The Deftones. "We wanted to write music that we enjoyed listening to, first and foremost," Russ continues, "People outside the band liking our songs was just a bonus. We wanted to use music as an emotional outlet, as a therapy. This attitude change toward song writing kept us honest, and has remained a big part of the band's personality and sound ever since."

In 2000 guitarist Greg Jung joined the band, and the quartet was off. In 2001, they recorded a 4-song EP in Edgewater, MD. This work highlighted the essence of what Oddzar inspired to be: melodic, aggressive, vulnerable, emotional, experimental, and distinctive all in one listen. After the release of this EP, the band started touring more extensively in Maryland and its surrounding states. Oddzar began picking up steam and creating a buzz.

In 2002, while starting pre-production on their third release, The Grey Goodbye EP, the band was approached by DCide Records (Nothingface, Trust Company). The DC-based label, having listened to the 4-song EP, and having tracked the band's progress over the past few months, saw Oddzar as an unpolished gem. Conversations about a record deal commenced. Oddzar released The Grey Goodbye EP in July of 2002. This release built on the previous 4-song demo. The intensity was higher, there were interesting recurring themes throughout, and the band sounded tighter than ever. Oddzar continued touring and expanding regionally.

By the end of 2002, Oddzar was signed to DCide, and the guys were on their way to recording their first full length record. The summer of 2003 was spent in the studio recording what would be the band's self-titled debut. Produced by the band, and engineered and mixed by Drew Mazurek (Linkin Park, Nothingface, Dog Fashion Disco), the album reflected Oddzar's creative exploration into song writing, as well as their determination to take their sound to the next level.

The songs, and the album as a whole, were very ambitious, reflecting a laborious song-writing process. "Song-writing is like pulling teeth,"says drummer Blake Silvea, "we'll spend a month writing and finishing a song and end up scrapping it." Each part was thoroughly plotted and complex without gratuitous repetition. Greg executed shrewd choices, emphasizing groove as well as melodic hooks and themes, creating room for Travis to dig out brutal low-end riffs as well as explore the higher reaches of his instrument. Blake is both calculated and passionate, connecting the joints of the songs and dictating dynamics with frenetic fills.

The lyrics on the record dove into the dark waters of life's pain, addressing rejection and betrayal while always chasing the unattainable lure of hope. Says the singer, "writing lyrics is where I try to step back from myself and the people around me and cope with things like juvenile jealousies, why we need so much attention, and overall how our emotions make us treat ourselves and others so badly. "El Cajon Pass", a song off the record, was named for a steep section of curving train tracks in California with regular wrecks," he continues, "and that's what this song is about: causing your own tragic, unavoidable disaster and watching it unfold before your eyes. There's hope at the end though; you must accept total responsibility and face the next day."

The group spent the end of 2003 and early 2004 touring the country extensively, both on their own and as support for more established artists. During this time, Oddzar rocked both coasts and just about everywhere in between.

In May 2004, Greg Jung left the band. A few months after Greg Jung's departure, Greg Loman joined the group, charged with the task of filling his predecessor's shoes. Not only did Greg rise to the challenge, he also brought with him a variety of new influences ranging from free-form jazz to balls-out metal. His ferocious shredding and passion for improvisation took the band's song writing to new heights.

In the year following Greg Loman's entrance, the band released the album, Oddzar, and toured nationally to support it. The band sold albums off-stage and in stores, and continued to build a loyal fanbase. They took a break from touring in August of 2005. During this time, original bassist Travis Lockhart decided to leave the band to pursue other interests.

Late 2005 and early 2006 were spent writing songs and searching for a bass player that could once again complete the quartet. The band started crafting the framework of their second album, and played out occasionally with temporary bass players.

A chance meeting by eaves-dropping at a diner the band members frequented in May 2006 would end the search for the new fourth member. Enter Trevor Olexy. Trevor brought with him a unique energy, an eye for the artistic, and stellar bass chops.

After several months of searching, Oddzar was whole again. In terms of musicianship, ambition, and friendship, this new line-up was and is considered the best Oddzar has ever had. The group geared up and toured the east coast sporadically for the summer and fall months of 2006.

Oddzar has spent early 2007 writing and demoing songs for the forthcoming second album, which is due out later this year. The band agrees that the material is some of the most interesting and rewarding music they have ever written. Plans for an album release and subsequent touring are in the works for later in the year.

For the members of Oddzar, their music is a harmonious personal release. "This is a stepping stone to the goal of enriching the world of music," says Russ. Rather than compromise their artistic integrity or attempt to write hit songs, Oddzar is settled in for the long haul of building their fan base from the ground up via steady touring. "That's how we want to do it," confirms Greg, "we're not trying to be a pop band." "For us it's about intense, dynamic, and melodic music," adds Trevor. "Especially intense," finishes Russ.