The electro-rockers formed in 1997 and signed to Korn's brand-new label, Elementree Records, scoring a hit soon after with the aforementioned cover on their debut album, 1998's Candyass (which also proved to be their best-selling, eventually earning Platinum certification). The band released two more albums before going on hiatus in 2005. They returned in 2011 when frontman Jay Gordon assembled a new lineup with two members that are still with the band: bass player Nic Speck and guitarist Carlton Bost.
In 2023, Orgy will be returning with #NEWMUSIC, their second EP with the Mark II lineup. They issued a new single, "Empty," as a preview in January. Gordon spoke with Songfacts about songwriting, the stories behind their best-known tunes, and of course, their breakthrough hit single.
Songfacts: I read a quote in which you say, "As we move toward a new direction musically speaking, I wanted to put a track out that has a bit of that signature Orgy sound, and hint at what's coming next." So, what can fans expect?
Gordon: I think they're going to be happy and surprised. It's a lot heavier than normal. This song is pretty radio-friendly, but I think they're going to enjoy the attitude of this record. I really like "Ghost" and "When The Crow Sleeps." They're both really heavy and there's some collaboration on one of them.
"Ghost" isn't quite finished yet, but it's about someone who used to be there, and they're gone. And "When The Crow Sleeps," it's really rowdy. What doesn't it say in that song? It's pretty nuts! It has a guest appearance in it - my girl, Leah Culver, sings on that one. She really changed the game on that one. I think it's going to be a pretty big song.
Songfacts: How do you find you write your best songs?
Gordon: It's tough to say. I don't have a concrete process on how to do that. Sometimes I come up with the music first, sometimes I come up with the lyrics first. It all depends.
Songfacts: Who have been some of your favorite collaborations or special guests on Orgy recordings?
Gordon: Having Jonathan Davis from Korn in the past on our record was a great thing [the track "Revival"]. They signed us, so it was awesome.
Songfacts: Who are your chief songwriting influences?
Gordon: Bowie, for sure. I like Death from Above 1979. As far as other influences, probably half of the '80s hair-metal bands.
Songfacts: How did the idea come up to cover New Order's "Blue Monday"?
Gordon: It was either that or "I Know There's Something Going On" [by Frida], which was another track that I thought was good. I just decided to go with that.
Songfacts: Did you know that the Orgy cover of "Blue Monday" is sampled on Rihanna's "Shut Up And Drive"?
Gordon: No, I didn't. Really?
Songfacts: Carl Sturken, who wrote "Shut Up And Drive," explained to Songfacts that the writers of "Blue Monday" [New Order] get the credit, not Orgy, because it's a cover.
Gordon: It's still a cover song, so yeah. I don't know – it's a tough one. As far as that song goes, there's no heavy chorus on their song. So yeah, it's weird. But it is a cover song, so they're going to get the credit. As far as the actual performance part of it, that could be something. I didn't know that though, that's crazy. I'm glad you told me about that.
Songfacts: What was the lyrical inspiration behind the track "Stitches"?
Gordon: I actually wrote that for Sugar Ray back in the day. They were looking for some material, and I wrote it for them. It was a little late when I submitted it, so I ended up just using it myself. But I'm glad that happened.
It was based [lyrically] on some relationship drama. A lot of my songs have to do with stuff that I see or stuff that I think is important.
Songfacts: "Fiction (Dreams In Digital)."
Gordon: That had a lot to do with Tokyo, because I had heard that kids were committing suicide over these cartoon characters and stuff like that. They were very upset if a show got canceled or something like that. I was fascinated by that whole phenomenon. They really idolize their icons.
Getting them released from outside obligations and signed to a label would have been like untying the Gordian Knot (there was also the matter of Weiland's drug issues), but they somehow managed to record a very catchy song called "Drop That Baby" and even make a pretty good video for it. The lineup for this one is:
Jay Gordon
Scott Weiland
Ashley Hamilton
Shannon Leto of 30 Seconds To Mars
Doug Ardito of Puddle Of Mudd
Martyn Lenoble of Porno For Pyros
Gordon: That is based on a big eye in the sky looking at everybody. A satellite checking out everything we do. It's a little more realistic than people would think.
Songfacts: "Talk Sick."
Gordon: As far as lyric inspiration, that's more relationship drama.
Songfacts: "Karma Kastles."
Gordon: That's a melting pot of relationship stuff. I don't know why, but people seem to come to me with their issues – not issues with me necessarily, just with their own stuff. People call me to talk about their drama, like I'm some kind of shrink or something.
Songfacts: Which original Orgy song are you most proud of?
Gordon: I like the breakdowns in songs a lot – bridges and stuff like that. But I'm most proud of "107." I like the foundation of it and it's kind of funny. I like the tempo of the song.
I was staying in a Room 107 at the time. I was in a bar, sitting there listening to this guy saying crazy things to this girl that he was trying to pick up. I don't understand why guys do that. I wanted to hold up cue cards for the guy, like, No, bro. You're blowing it.
Songfacts: Future plans?
Gordon: Just to finish off this record that we're working on right now. We're going to release single after single – it's the schedule we're doing it. And touring those songs.
January 19, 2023
Get tour dates and news at orgymusic.com
More interviews:
Brian "Head" Welch of Korn
Christopher Hall of Stabbing Westward
Wes Borland of Limp Bizkit
Mike Score of A Flock Of Seagulls
Paul Robb of Information Society
Photos: Simon Green (1,3) Whiskey Shotz Photography (2)
More Songwriter Interviews