Orgy Brings Back Makeup & 'Blue Monday'

01/13/1999 4:00 AM, Yahoo! Music
Craig Rosen

(1/13/99, 1 a.m. PST) - Real rock 'n' roll men wear makeup, according to Orgy guitarist Amir Derakh. "We had a vision. We didn't want to be the kind of band that went on stage looking like a bunch of roadies," Derakh says. "Part of that image is the makeup. It is fun and gives you something more when you hit the stage. We aren't into looking grotesque with our cosmetics. We are more in the nice school of Duran Duran application."

With all the attention Orgy is getting for its flashy, industrial remake of New Order's "Blue Monday," some might wonder who is lengthening the lashes and painting the nails of Derakh and his bandmates? The band also includes singer Jay Gordon, guitarist Ryan Shuck, drummer Bobby Hewitt, and bassist Paige Haley.

"We've found it best to do it ourselves. You quickly learn the ins and outs. I now know what women go through," Derakh says. "Seriously, we are very particular about everything, which makes us become very self-sufficient. Although, we like to call outside people in to give input and help us when we record our own albums."

Perhaps it is the attention these boys pay to detail that has made the band's members sought after as mixers, engineers, and producers. Collectively, they have worked with a wide range of acts including the Eels, Coal Chamber, and Danzig. (Gordon and Derakh are currently mixing the metal guru's forthcoming release.)

"Producing and recording are new challenges, whereas I've been playing guitar ever since I can remember," Derakh says.

Don't confuse the extracurricular activities for a sign of disinterest in their own Elementree/ Reprise debut, Candyass, which was named after a drag queen Gordon met at a party and includes backing vocals by Korn's Jonathan Davis. Candyass is currently No. 2 on Billboard's Heatseekers new artist album chart.

"It's time to reload the gun and take some more shots," Derakh quips, before adding that the band plans to hit the U.S. road again soon. The group is expected to open for a longtime favorite, Love And Rockets. Orgy will also play a single date at the Roxy in Los Angeles on Jan. 22.

Meanwhile, "Blue Monday" is climbing Billboard's Modern Rock Tracks chart. The band covered the song out of admiration after Derakh and Gordon picked up a used New Order CD while recording in a cabin near Lake Tahoe.

"We had planned to put some other cover on the record, but when we recorded 'Blue Monday' we felt like people would really latch onto it," he says. "But it was a risk. We are talking about one of the world's most famous club hits and you never know how people will react to something they love being redone. But it seems like people are digging it. We've even heard our 'Blue Monday' played in a block with two New Order songs and seen our video backing the original on M2. That's the ultimate OK."

Features on Duran Duran, the Eels, Korn, and Love And Rockets are available now for your reading pleasure.

-- Midnight Jones, Los Angeles