History
OK Go: Innovative Music Videos and Indie Rock Roots
OK Go, an American indie rock band formed in Chicago, Illinois, in 1998, is recognized for its distinctive blend of infectious indie rock and visually inventive, low-budget music videos. The current lineup features Damian Kulash on guitar and vocals, Tim Nordwind on bass, Andy Ross on guitar and keyboards, and Dan Konopka on drums.
Musical Style and Influences
The band's sound draws inspiration from classic rock acts such as Cheap Trick, T. Rex, and Queen, merging elements of indie rock with stadium-ready anthems and pop sensibilities. Their music has been described as a fusion of indie rock, stadium rock, and pure pop, occasionally evoking the styles of The Pixies, The Cars, or Elliott Smith.
Early Career and Breakthroughs
Initially sharing management with They Might Be Giants, OK Go toured with the group before signing with Capitol Records. Their early work gained attention, with the single "Get Over It" from their self-titled debut album reaching No. 21 on the UK charts in March 2003. The band performed the song on the popular television show *Top of the Pops*, and its video was lauded by *Q Magazine*. The track also featured in EA Sports video games *Triple Play Baseball* and *Madden NFL 2003*.
In 2004, OK Go contributed a cover of The Zombies' "This Will Be Our Year" to the benefit album *Future Soundtrack for America*. Lead singer Damian Kulash also engaged in political activism, releasing a guide titled "How Your Band Can Fire Bush" aimed at encouraging bands to participate in efforts to unseat President George W. Bush.
Viral Success with "A Million Ways" and "Here It Goes Again"
The band's second album, *Oh No*, recorded in Malmö, Sweden, and produced by Tore Johansson, was released in August 2005. Its first single, the Clash-influenced "A Million Ways," achieved widespread popularity largely due to its groundbreaking music video. Filmed in a single take in the band's backyard with choreography by Damian Kulash's sister, Trish Sie, the video was produced for under ten dollars and released without the label's knowledge. It became an internet sensation, achieving over 3 million downloads by November 2005 and inspiring numerous fan-made tribute videos. OK Go further engaged their audience by sponsoring the "OK Go Dances with You(Tube)" contest, encouraging fans to upload their own renditions of the dance.
Building on this success, the video for "Here It Goes Again," from the same album, featured the band dancing on treadmills. This video, also a single-take production choreographed by Trish Sie, required extensive rehearsal and became an even larger viral phenomenon, amassing over 15 million views online. The innovative "treadmill video" earned OK Go and Trish Sie the Grammy Award for Best Short Form Music Video in 2007.
Tours and Continued Innovation
OK Go has continued to tour extensively, including a North American tour with Silversun Pickups and Snow Patrol in 2007. Their career is marked by a consistent commitment to creative music video production, often utilizing unique concepts and single-take formats to complement their energetic indie rock sound.
