Classic American author Thomas Wolfe famously stated "you can't go home again," but don't tell that to the members of

O.A.R. On their eighth studio album, "The Rockville LP," the shape-shifting rock band found that returning home triggered a journey of creative renewal and inspiration."This isn't about us going back to our musical roots per se," says lead singer Marc Roberge, who founded

O.A.R. in 1996 with his Rockville, Maryland, high school classmates, drummer Chris Culos, guitarist Richard On, and bassist Benj Gershman (saxophonist Jerry DePizzo joined while the group was at Ohio State University)."It's about us getting inspired by the place we came from. We'd drive the same roads, visit the old haunts, spend time with our people. Rockville was the catalyst then, and it's the catalyst now."For the first time in a while, the band found that visiting their Maryland hometown gave them a sense of peace. For years, they had been pushing themselves to reach new levels of success, searching for their place in the world. Plus, turbulent times within their personal lives had led them to a slightly disconnected state."I went home to Maryland many times while making this album and based these songs on all the familiar feelings that Rockville gave me," Roberge says. "I tried to focus in on the simple things that always made this band so creative and driven. For everyone in the band, this was a restart. We've been hanging out, enjoying life, letting things go. The whole album is about a reboot."O.A.R. is renowned for its intense, vibrant live shows and the communal feeling it shares with its fans. With each studio album, the band has endeavored to achieve that sense of immediacy. "The Rockville LP" comes the closest Roberge says."Every live band I know will always want nothing more than to carry their live performance onto the album. It's an elusive thing to capture, so I'll never say we nailed it," Roberge says. "But I can guarantee we put that same live show energy and passion into each minute of 'The Rockville LP,' and we can only hope the audience feels that."O.A.R. comes to Penn's Peak on Feb. 5. Show time is 8 p.m.Also performing that night will be The Hunts, an indie-folk band from Virginia. These seven brothers and sisters have a passion for creating compelling music and so, have collaborated one another's gifts of writing, composing and musicianship to endeavor that. Stringed instruments, surrounded by enchanting harmonies and thrilling rhythms hearken to an organic yet transcending sound.Upcoming shows include:• Umphrey's McGee with Tauk, Feb. 11, 7:30 p.m.• Dancin' & Desserts with The Avalons, Feb. 13, 8 p.m.• Ana Popovic with the Nick Moss Band, Feb. 20, 8 p.m.• Melvin Seals & JGB, Feb. 27, 8 p.m.• Warren Haynes and The Ashes & Dust Band, March 3, 8 p.m.• Bruce in the USA, March 5, 8 p.m.• Pink Floyd Experience, March 11, 8 p.m.• Lotus Land - American Rush Tribute, March 12, 8 p.m.• Ryan Pelton, March 19, 8 p.m.• Ronnie Spector sings the Fabulous Ronettes, April 8, 8 p.m.• Paul Revere's Raiders, April 15, 8 p.m.• Buddy Guy and Jimmie Vaughan with the Tilt-A-Whirl Band, April 16, 8 p.m.Tickets are available at all Ticketmaster outlets, the Penn's Peak Box Office and Roadies Restaurant and Bar. For more information go to

www.pennspeak.com or call 866-605-7325.