Spawned by the fertile L.A. alt metal scene, Orgy adds catchy melodic hooks to the familiar mix of crushingly loud riffs and electronic-tinged production. Formed in late 1997, Orgy consists of vocalist Jay Gordon, guitarist Ryan Shuck, guitar synthesist Amir Derakh, bassist Paige Haley, and drummer Bobby Hewitt.
Shuck had collaborated on material with
Korn lead singer Jonathan Davis, while
Derakh had produced several records for already-signed L.A. bands, so it was no surprise that Orgy became the first band signed to
Korn's Elementree subsidiary of Reprise Records. Their debut album, Candyass, was released in 1998. Their cover of
New Order's "Blue Monday" and second single, "Stitches," instantly pushed them into the mainstream. Dates supporting
Love and Rockets and shows with
Korn's Family Values Tour only fueled their popularity into the next year. Their experimental sci-fi sophomore effort
Vapor Transmission, which hit number 16 on Billboard's Top 200, followed in 2000. Two years later, Jay Gordon and his Dad, Lou Gordon founded their own label, D1 Music. Founding drummer Bobby Hewitt also left the band for a three-month stint in
Snake River Conspiracy although he participated in the recording sessions for Orgy's third album.
Punk Statik Paranoia was planned for a February 2004 release. ~ Steve Huey, All Music Guide
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