At first look ... and even at second look ... it would appear as if Orgy are one of those bands that's got everything going for them. And in this case at least, looks certainly aren't deceiving. Just consider these factoids: Orgy are the first band signed to Korn's hot new Elementree Records label; their first national tour will be as an inegral part of the said-same Korn's big-time Family Values arena package; the band's debut album, Candyass, has already been hailed as one of the brashest, boldest, most in-yer-face rock and roll collections of the year; and if all that wasn't enough, the group's decut video for the song Stitches has been popping up on MTV more often than a Beavis and Butthead rerun.
It certainly has been a heady time for vocalist Jay Gordon, guitarist Ryan Shuck, bassist Paige Haley, drummer Bobby Hewitt and synth master Amir Davidson (needs changed Derakh). Despite a relatively short band history Orgy has made quick work of making a big name for themselves in the modern music spectrum - thanks in no small part to the ever-important presence of the guys in Korn. It was that band's always inquisitive members who first helped discover andnurture Orgy's unique skills, and when the offer came from giant Reprise Records for Korn to start their own "boutique" label, Orgy was the first band that the Kornsters went out to sign. Such a distinction is certainly not loston the members of Orgy.
"It was really great to have those guys supportingus the way they have," Gordon said. "They certainly understand what it's like to be in a band - especially a band that doesn't necessarily do everything in the conventional way. So that was a big help. But signing with Elementree not onl did we know that we'd be able to maintain all our musical freedom, but that we'd havea great sitation of being the first band on a new label that was actually part of a big label. What could be better than that?"
Indeed it seems as if Orgy has walked into a near-perfect place from which to launch their razor-edged attack ont he rock and roll world. With a sound that mixes Gordon's Bowie-like vocals with the band's Nine Inch Nails - influenced rhythms and hard-edged guitar attack, in many ways Candyass represents the culmination of the late '90s rock ideal. While some may state that such songs as Social Enemies and Dissention rely too mcuh on studio trickery and techno-rock posturings to convey their musical message, others will quickly repsond that the power housed within tunes like Fiend and All The Same are quintessential demonstrations of the modern hard rock ethic. For their part, the members of Orgy are ready for the various love/hate reactions their music is sure to incur - they insist that as long as people listen and respond they'll be happy.
"This isn't music designed for everyone," Gordon said. "We like taking asmany chances as possible, both in the studio and on stage. That's what makes it exciting. It's living life on the musical edge. If occasionally you crash and burn, you live wit it. Luckily we haven't crashed that many times ... and we're not planning on doing it at any point in the near future"
As they tour the nation as opening act on the Family Values package, Orgy are exposing their unusual high-octane sound to thousands of fans each and every night. They realize that they've accomplished more during their explosive summer of '98 than many young bands do in three years! But all the attention their music has drawn, and all the high-profile acclaim that has come their way way, has done little to dull the fires that burn deep within Orgy's collective belly. They know that their career has gotten off to an incredibly fortuitous start, but there's still along, long way to go.
"I guess it would be easy to feel satisfied," Gordon said. "We've made a good record, played a great tour and gotten a lot of attention. But we're not doing this to become famous - much for us to accomplish. Candyass is only our first salvo - there's a lot more to come."
