ORGY: LEARNING THE ROPES
By Bob Norwood, HIT PARADER 03/99

By now, just about everyone should know at least something about Orgy. Some hard rock fans might know that the group enjoys the distinction of being the first act signed to Korn's Elementree Records label. Others might know that Orgy rocked the house as the opening act during last fall's highly successful Family Values arena tour. And still others might know about Orgy's exciting debut album, Candyass, which features the hit single Stitches. Indeed it's been quite a time for vocalist Jay Gordon, guitarist Ryan Shuck, bassist Paige Haley, drummer Bobby Hewitt and synth master Amir Davidson [Derakh]. While it's abundantly clear that Orgy still haven't accomplished everything on their rock and roll agenda, considering their "rookie" status, and how far they've come in a relatively brief time, it's hard these snot-nosed rockers to hide the mischievous-yet-satisfied grins that currently reside on each and every one of their faces.

"It's been a really exciting time for us," Gordon said. "We started doing this and we really didn't know where we were headed. We knew we were having a good time, and that we were making good music, but we didn't know that we'd end up on a major record label, on a major tour, and having people like the guys in Korn helping us along."

It's almost impossible to overstate the role that the Kornsters have played in shaping the recent lives or Orgy's quintet of loud-'n-proud rockers. It was Korn that first became aware of Orgy's talents, and it was that veteran band that stepped in to nurture the young upstart's burgeoning musical skills. Indeed, it might well be said that without Korn's guiding presence and never-flagging support, Orgy might still be little more than just another young band struggling for recognition in the often harsh rock and roll world. In fact, when Korn decided to launch their own label-utilizing their well-honed skills for discovering new talent as the basis for this exciting new venture-Orgy was among the first bands they contacted� and ,as it turned out, the very first band they actually signed.

"Korn is an unbelievable band, and we have the utmost respect for them," Gordon said. "But what's maybe even more important to us is that they're all really good people who have taken the time and energy to help out young bands. They know what it's like to be in a band that's trying to do something a little different, and they've always been very encouraging. By signing with Elementree not only did we know that we'd be able to maintain all our musical freedom, but that we'd only have a great situation of being the first band on a new label that was actually part of a big label."

As it turns out, Korn's hectic recent schedule (which has included the release of their chart-topping disc Follow the Leader, the initiation of a multi-faceted Korn website, and the kick-off of the Family Values tour) has slowed down some of the initial momentum behind Elementree Records. For the time being, at least, the members of Orgy know that they'll be carrying the ball for the fledging label, trying to provide a sold base for business and musical operations along the way. Maybe in a year or two, when there's a whole stable of young talent on the label's roster, some of the pressure will be off, but for now Orgy know full-well that they are it when it comes to making Elementree's initial mark on the music biz. True to their nature, however, these guys apparently feel no extra strain dues to their foundational role in the upstart label. Much like their role models in Korn, the Orgy boys believe in just taking things as they come, and enjoying the heck out of everything along the way.

"We enjoy ourselves," Gordon said. "We like to have fun, and we want our fans to have fun. I think that comes across in the music we make-whether it's on the album or on stage. We've been handed some great opportunities early in our career, and it's our intention to make the most of 'em."

To even those uninitiated to the myriad and mysterious working of the rock and roll machine, it should be readily apparent that Orgy now find themselves in a near-perfect place from which to launch their razor-edged attack on the rock and roll world. With a sound that mixes Gordon's haunting vocals with the band's industrial-strength rhythms and hard-hitting guitar attack, in many ways Candyass represents the embodiment of the late 90's rock ideal. While some may state that such songs as Social Enemies and Dissention rely too much on studio trickery and techno-rock posturings in the conveyance of their musical message, others will quickly respond 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 as many 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 with 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 continue to tour the nation as opening act on the Family Values package, Orgy are exposing their unusual high-octane sound to thousands of fans at each stop along the tour trail. They realize that they've accomplished more during their brief but explosive time in the hard rock hierarchy than many young bands do in a lifetime! But all the attention their music has drawn, and all the high-profile acclaim that has come their 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 a long way to go. They've made the first, big step up the rock and roll ladder of success, but these guys know that there are many, perhaps even more challenging steps lying straight ahead.

"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-we're doing it because we believe in our music. There's still so much for us to accomplish. Candyass is only our first salvo-there's a lot more to come."