SIDETRACKS

Labeled for success
Orgy's 'Punk Statik' more guitar-oriented

By Eric Schelkopf
January 16, 2004

When Los Angeles band Orgy covered New Order's "Blue Monday" for its 1998 debut album, band members had no idea the song would create such a sensation.

The album soared to platinum-sales status on the strength of the song.

"It was kind of done as a fluke," said lead singer Jay Gordon. "It set a mood for the album."

The techno-metal band continues to evolve, as demonstrated on its latest album, "Punk Statik Paranoia," which will be released on February 24.

Guitars are more in the forefront on the album.

"We wanted to make it more guitar driven. We wanted to connect with a larger audience, to continue what we do with a little more rock vibe," Gordon said.

This is Orgy's first record in more than three years and is the inaugural release on the band's own label, D1 Music.

The band's previous two efforts were on Warner Bros.

Gordon formed the label as a launching pad for up-and-coming artists.

"We want to sign individuals who work really hard," Gordon said. "The more work you put into it, the longer you stay in the game."

And the acts that are being signed are not on the same musical page as Orgy.

"They are drastically different. We are working with a hip-hop act, and a rock band. You have to expand your horizons a bit," Gordon said.

"Punk Statik Paranoia" already is starting to get airplay on stations like Q101 in Chicago. But Gordon admitted getting radio play could prove difficult because of the band being gone from the music scene for so long.

"It is always going to be a challenge, no matter what label you are on, to get on the radio," Gordon said.

It's not like Gordon has just been sitting around between albums. He also is a producer (he co-produced "Punk Statik Paranoia"), and has worked with such acts as Coal Chamber, Danzig and Crazy Town.

Gordon also has sang on songs featured in movies like "Zoolander," "I Still Know What You Did Last Summer" and "Scream 3."

He likes being in the role of producer and engineer, and working with different bands.

"Hopefully I can be useful to them to help them succeed," Gordon said.