DEDICATED FOLLOWERS OF FASHION

LA band Orgy are causing a massive stir in the States. As the first signing to Jonathon Davis' Elementree label, Robyn Doreian finds out what all the fuss is about

If there is one thing LA band Orgy intend to do it's put the 'f' back into fashion. Vocalist Jay Gordon and guitarist Ryan Shuck are scheduled to appear in a press campaign for Calvin Klein, modeling his latest range of designer threads, while possibilities in the world of haute couture are not out of the question for the remaining three clothes-horses.

Unlike the majority of bands to spring from the LA scene who favour the ludicrously large trouser and chain look, Orgy, from their conception, made image a priority.

"When we formed in late '97, we wanted it to be an all-round thing - the sound, the look, the style - so we worked on it from the beginning," explains softly spoken g-synthist Amir Derakh. "We do like fashion and I do wear make-up. It's fun, but it's not just the latest trends from the runways of Italy that we follow. You can find other cool stuff around. It kind of got boring that some bands look like they are a bunch of roadies onstage and we reacted to that. I think that people want to see bands who do something more up there."

One with an eye for the essential accessory, Amir's most extravagant purchase to date is a Gucci watch which he refuses to divulge the price of. But there's much more to Orgy than the way they look.

Signed to Elementree, a subsidiary of Reprise Records, Jonathon Davis, in his rolse as A&R to the label at the time fo signing, reasoned, "I think they will appeal to a lot of kids, a lot of different people. They're fashionable, pretty dudes, so all the chicks will dig 'em. And they're real heavy, so hopefully a lot of our friends will like them."

Davis went on to make Orgy an offer they couldn't refuse and subsequently made a guest appearance on the moody, deranged track, 'Revival'.

"We had some demos and were friends with the guys from Korn, and labels had become interested in our band," says Amir of their signing. "They loved the demo and decided that they wanted us to be the first band on their label. They have a hand with what goes on with the band, but for most part they leave the creative side to us."

Orgy's debut album, 'Candyass', was released Stateside in August 1998, but will come out in the UK in mid-April. First listen gives you the impression that their sound if very much in the mould of Marilyn Manson/NIN, but with subsequent hearings its soundscape broadens considerably. Echoing hints of Depeche Mode, David Bowie and dare I say it, Duran Duran, 'Candyass' is more '80s influenced than '90s, tied together by the synthetic pulse of electronica.

"Image-wise, we are more influences by Duran Duran, as they were always so stylish," elaborates Amir. "Musically, we are influenced by a lot of British bands as everything we seem to like comes from there. We also listen to drum 'n' bass, jungle and the dance music that comes from England. It is something Jay and I listen to all the time. It's the futuristic element that we like about it. We want to project that kind of image. I think that the '80s were really looking to the future, with the '90s stepping back. I think everybody is ready to realize that it's time we all went forward again. We listen to a lot of styles and mix them together.

"The whole thing with the band name is that we like the shock value of it being sexual, but the idea is more of a musical orgy - the sounds and the styles that we could find. Kinda like the way we dress, a mish-mash of stuff. We don't mind if it's a sexual thing, too, because there is definently that in the songs. I guess we are all sexual human beings."

Indeed.

The band's US hit single lifted from the album is a cover version of 'Blue Monday', originally by British post-punk outfit New Order.

"It's one of our favourite songs, I guess," Amir explains. "We knew we were going to put it on our record and we had a couple of other ideas. We will probably do covers whenever we feel like it, but when that was released we had no idea it would be a hit. The reason qwe did it was because we liked it."

Amir's musical credentials were also forged in the '80s when he was guitarist with LA glam band Rough Cutt. They released two albums - 'Rough Cutt' in 1985 and 'Wants You!' in 1986 - but failed to set the world alight. When harking back to his past, Amir fails to show the slightest hint of embarrassment.

"I never though of Rough Cutt as gla," he recalls, "but I did have big hair. People still talk to me about it all the time. I don't have a problem with it."

Do you think glam rock is making a revival?

"Yes I do, but I think the idea is that every time something gets revived it needs to be revamped. It's cool that it's coming back, but people need to do something wit, not just dress up like David Bowie or something. The '80s were all about deadence and a lot of fun has been missing since then. We're just starting to have some. We definently like to party and it gets pretty crazy sometimes, but not all the time."

As Jonathon so rightly puts it, 'The chicks will dig you.' So are you getting any action, then?

"We do alright. I can't complain..."

During the latter part of '98, Orgy - completed by Paige Haley (bass) and Bobby Hewitt (drums) - were chjosen to appear as part of the Family Values tour that blitzed America, alongside Korn, Limp Bizkit, Ice Cube, Incubus and Rammstein. According to Amir, it was pretty muvh a non-stop party.

"Yes it was wild and crazy," he confirms. "The last night of the tour was great fun as everyone dressed up in Halloween costumes. Korn came out as these old rock guys and played Twisted Sister and Judas Priest and all this crazy shit. Limp Bizkit all dressed as Elvis, and Rammstein came out with nothing on but stuff covering their genitals."

In a completely unexpected turn of events, Orgy became great friends with German nutcases Rammstein.

"We got on with them really well," he enthuses. "They were the only band on the tour that we didn't know, but within three shows they became our best friends. It was really weird.

"Rammstein have this thing they do with a dildo, and Ryan was going to take his place. So we got him all dressed up, but the cops shut Rammstein down for indecent exposure so it never materialised. We're probably going to be doing some touring with them."

As for the rest of '99, Orgy will undertake a tour with '80s band Love And Rockets which features ex-Bauhaus members bassist David J, guitarist/vocalist Daniel Ash and drummer Kevin Kaskins.

"They are really cool and have good songs and a great style," explains Derakh. "They've definently had an influence on us as we have all listened to everything they've done - including Bauhaus."

After that Stateside jaunt, it looks like Orgy will support American chart sensations Sugar Ray. Aside from extensive time touring on their home turf, the band hope to tour the UK. Brace yourselves for a makeover.

The Orgy stylists are on the way.

- Metal Hammer 1