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Orchid (band)
Encyclopedia
Orchid was a screamo
band from Amherst, Massachusetts
, United States
. Considered by many to be one of the pioneers of the "screamo" sound, Orchid combined this with a post-modern aesthetic, releasing several extended play
and splits as well as three LPs. The band consisted of Jayson Green as lead vocalist
, drummer Jeffrey Salane, guitarist Will Killingsworth and bassist Geoff Garlock.
In 1999 Orchid released their first record Chaos Is Me
and a year after in 2000 released Dance Tonight! Revolution Tomorrow!
In July 2002 they released their third studio album Gatefold and later in the year, in September, Orchid released a compilation of both their first and second albums onto CD containing all 21 tracks from both. After the release of both they split up. Posthumously, in 2005 Orchid released Totality, a compilation album comprised all of 24 tracks from out of press and hard to find B-side and split EP
material previously only available on vinyl.
, and Jeff Salane was attending UMass in Amherst, Massachusetts
in early 1998. The majority of their discography was released on vinyl records which they often shared with other bands. There were three full-length (by their standards) records released: Chaos Is Me, Dance Tonight! Revolution Tomorrow! and the final Self-Titled release (often called "Gatefold" after its packaging), all on Ebullition Records.
Towards the end of their lifespan, the final line-up of Orchid had formed various side-projects, with vocalist Green, bassist Geoff Garlock and drummer Salane forming the band Panthers
. Guitarist Will Killingsworth played in the band Bucket Full of Teeth and worked on Dead Air Studios, his recording project based in Amherst, MA, where the band recorded their final album. They had previously recorded at Godcity with Converge
guitarist Kurt Ballou
. Orchid played last shows in a number of cities during the summer of 2002, the last of which was at The Advocate
in Harvard Square
in Cambridge, MA, where they played with Sinaloa and the band Wolves, who had former Orchid bassist Brad Wallace playing guitar for them.
Killingsworth continues to run his own label, Clean Plate Records, whilst his band Bucket Full of Teeth released several records, including a full-length LP on Level Plane
Records before he formed the band Ampere
, who are still active. Green, Garlock, and Salane continue to play in the band Panthers, who have released two full-length albums and an EP. After Wolves finished, Brad joined Transistor Transistor to play guitar, who also recently released an album on Level-Plane. Jayson Green later formed a hardcore punk supergroup named VBS (a acronym for Violent Bullshit), with members of Black Army Jacket
and the Fiery Furnaces
.
. Orchid was known for their well-conceived literary approach to lyrics which are of a personal nature, even more than other screamo bands. Orchid are considered legends in the emotional hardcore scene primarily due to their debut album Chaos Is Me, which left "a huge crater that was their influence". Their lyrics make reference to Anna Karina
, Theodor Adorno, Max Horkheimer
& the Frankfurt School, Friedrich Nietzsche
, Jacques Attali
, Guy Debord
, and other aspects of European critical theory
and culture. Their music is highly dissonant, fast-tempo and highly chaotic, incorporating elements of powerviolence
into screamo, this has often been labelled as "emoviolence" and their style has been noted in being close proximity to grindcore
. But their music also includes melodic elements, violins, and brief snippets of modern classical music.
Screamo
Screamo, though used loosely to generally describe music that features screamed vocals, is actually a musical subgenre of hardcore punk which predominantly evolved from emo, among other genres, in the early 1990s...
band from Amherst, Massachusetts
Amherst, Massachusetts
Amherst is a town in Hampshire County, Massachusetts, United States in the Connecticut River valley. As of the 2010 census, the population was 37,819, making it the largest community in Hampshire County . The town is home to Amherst College, Hampshire College, and the University of Massachusetts...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. Considered by many to be one of the pioneers of the "screamo" sound, Orchid combined this with a post-modern aesthetic, releasing several extended play
Extended play
An EP is a musical recording which contains more music than a single, but is too short to qualify as a full album or LP. The term EP originally referred only to specific types of vinyl records other than 78 rpm standard play records and LP records, but it is now applied to mid-length Compact...
and splits as well as three LPs. The band consisted of Jayson Green as lead vocalist
Lead vocalist
The lead vocalist is the member of a band who sings the main vocal portions of a song. They may also play one or more instruments. Lead vocalists are sometimes referred to as the frontman or frontwoman, and as such, are usually considered to be the "leader" of the groups they perform in, often the...
, drummer Jeffrey Salane, guitarist Will Killingsworth and bassist Geoff Garlock.
In 1999 Orchid released their first record Chaos Is Me
Chaos Is Me
Chaos Is Me is the debut studio album by American screamo band Orchid. It was released in 1999 through Ebullition Records. Chaos Is Me heralded the change of the guard for extreme music, and brought both Amherst, Massachusetts and Hampshire College to the forefront of the scene's attention.- Track...
and a year after in 2000 released Dance Tonight! Revolution Tomorrow!
Dance Tonight! Revolution Tomorrow!
Dance Tonight! Revolution Tomorrow! is the second studio album by screamo band Orchid. It was released on 10" vinyl by Ebullition Records. The vinyl press was limited to 3000 copies; 1000 each in Red, Yellow and clear.-Track listing:-Recording Personnel:...
In July 2002 they released their third studio album Gatefold and later in the year, in September, Orchid released a compilation of both their first and second albums onto CD containing all 21 tracks from both. After the release of both they split up. Posthumously, in 2005 Orchid released Totality, a compilation album comprised all of 24 tracks from out of press and hard to find B-side and split EP
Split album
A split album is a music album which includes tracks by two or more separate artists. There have been singles and EPs released in the same nature, which can be referred to as split singles and split EPs respectively...
material previously only available on vinyl.
History
The band was formed while Jayson Green, Will Killingsworth, and Brad Wallace were studying at Hampshire CollegeHampshire College
Hampshire College is a private liberal arts college in Amherst, Massachusetts. It was founded in 1965 as an experiment in alternative education, in association with four other colleges in the Pioneer Valley: Amherst College, Smith College, Mount Holyoke College, and the University of Massachusetts...
, and Jeff Salane was attending UMass in Amherst, Massachusetts
Amherst, Massachusetts
Amherst is a town in Hampshire County, Massachusetts, United States in the Connecticut River valley. As of the 2010 census, the population was 37,819, making it the largest community in Hampshire County . The town is home to Amherst College, Hampshire College, and the University of Massachusetts...
in early 1998. The majority of their discography was released on vinyl records which they often shared with other bands. There were three full-length (by their standards) records released: Chaos Is Me, Dance Tonight! Revolution Tomorrow! and the final Self-Titled release (often called "Gatefold" after its packaging), all on Ebullition Records.
Towards the end of their lifespan, the final line-up of Orchid had formed various side-projects, with vocalist Green, bassist Geoff Garlock and drummer Salane forming the band Panthers
Panthers (band)
Panthers is an American rock band from Brooklyn, New York. The Village Voice described them as "groundbreaking dissonant HC with Rolling Stones swagger." Three members were previously in the hardcore band Orchid. Panthers have released four records. The most recent two, The Trick and Things Are...
. Guitarist Will Killingsworth played in the band Bucket Full of Teeth and worked on Dead Air Studios, his recording project based in Amherst, MA, where the band recorded their final album. They had previously recorded at Godcity with Converge
Converge (band)
Converge is an American band from Salem, Massachusetts. Playing a blend of hardcore punk and metal since 1990, Converge has helped to define many of the elements of the metalcore genre.-Description:...
guitarist Kurt Ballou
Kurt Ballou
Kurt Ballou is the guitarist from Massachusetts-based band Converge. Aside from his role in Converge, he is a prolific producer, engineering and producing out of his own Godcity studio.- GodCity studio :...
. Orchid played last shows in a number of cities during the summer of 2002, the last of which was at The Advocate
The Harvard Advocate
The Harvard Advocate, the literary magazine of Harvard College, is the oldest continuously published college literary magazine in the United States. The magazine was founded by Charles S. Gage and William G. Peckham in 1866 and, except for a hiatus during the last years of World War II, has...
in Harvard Square
Harvard Square
Harvard Square is a large triangular area in the center of Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, at the intersection of Massachusetts Avenue, Brattle Street, and John F. Kennedy Street. It is the historic center of Cambridge...
in Cambridge, MA, where they played with Sinaloa and the band Wolves, who had former Orchid bassist Brad Wallace playing guitar for them.
Killingsworth continues to run his own label, Clean Plate Records, whilst his band Bucket Full of Teeth released several records, including a full-length LP on Level Plane
Level Plane
Level Plane was a record label based in New York City, that tended to aim towards traditional emo and screamo artists.Level Plane was founded in early 1997 by Greg Drudy in order to put a label and an address on the back of Saetia's first 7"...
Records before he formed the band Ampere
Ampere (band)
Ampere is a DIY punk band based in Amherst, Massachusetts known for their short but extremely loud and intense live shows. The band has put the importance of DIY punk ethics at the forefront of their lyrics and are known for the particular attention they bring to their vegan...
, who are still active. Green, Garlock, and Salane continue to play in the band Panthers, who have released two full-length albums and an EP. After Wolves finished, Brad joined Transistor Transistor to play guitar, who also recently released an album on Level-Plane. Jayson Green later formed a hardcore punk supergroup named VBS (a acronym for Violent Bullshit), with members of Black Army Jacket
Black Army Jacket
Black Army Jacket was an American grindcore / power violence band. They released one full length album and many 7" EPs, splits and compilation appearances...
and the Fiery Furnaces
The Fiery Furnaces
The Fiery Furnaces are a U.S. indie rock band formed in 2000 in Brooklyn, New York. The band's primary members are Matthew and Eleanor Friedberger. The siblings are originally from Oak Park, Illinois, a near-western suburb of Chicago.- Band biography :...
.
Style and legacy
Orchid is considered a prominent and quintessential band in screamoScreamo
Screamo, though used loosely to generally describe music that features screamed vocals, is actually a musical subgenre of hardcore punk which predominantly evolved from emo, among other genres, in the early 1990s...
. Orchid was known for their well-conceived literary approach to lyrics which are of a personal nature, even more than other screamo bands. Orchid are considered legends in the emotional hardcore scene primarily due to their debut album Chaos Is Me, which left "a huge crater that was their influence". Their lyrics make reference to Anna Karina
Anna Karina
Anna Karina is a Danish film actress, director, and screenwriter who has spent most of her working life in France. Karina is known as a muse of the director, Jean-Luc Godard, one of the pioneers of the French New Wave...
, Theodor Adorno, Max Horkheimer
Max Horkheimer
Max Horkheimer was a German-Jewish philosopher-sociologist, famous for his work in critical theory as a member of the 'Frankfurt School' of social research. His most important works include The Eclipse of Reason and, in collaboration with Theodor Adorno, The Dialectic of Enlightenment...
& the Frankfurt School, Friedrich Nietzsche
Friedrich Nietzsche
Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche was a 19th-century German philosopher, poet, composer and classical philologist...
, Jacques Attali
Jacques Attali
Jacques Attali is a French economist, writer and senior civil servant.Former adviser to President François Mitterrand and first president of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, he founded the non-profit organization PlaNet Finance and was nominated President of the Commission for...
, Guy Debord
Guy Debord
Guy Ernest Debord was a French Marxist theorist, writer, filmmaker, member of the Letterist International, founder of a Letterist faction, and founding member of the Situationist International . He was also briefly a member of Socialisme ou Barbarie.-Early Life:Guy Debord was born in Paris in 1931...
, and other aspects of European critical theory
Critical theory
Critical theory is an examination and critique of society and culture, drawing from knowledge across the social sciences and humanities. The term has two different meanings with different origins and histories: one originating in sociology and the other in literary criticism...
and culture. Their music is highly dissonant, fast-tempo and highly chaotic, incorporating elements of powerviolence
Powerviolence
Powerviolence , is a raw and dissonant subgenre of hardcore punk. The style is closely related to thrashcore and grindcore.-History:...
into screamo, this has often been labelled as "emoviolence" and their style has been noted in being close proximity to grindcore
Grindcore
Grindcore is an extreme genre of music that started in the early- to mid-1980s. It draws inspiration from some of the most abrasive music genres – including death metal, industrial music, noise and the more extreme varieties of hardcore punk....
. But their music also includes melodic elements, violins, and brief snippets of modern classical music.
Former band members
- Jayson Green - Lead Vocals (1997) - (2002)
- Jeffrey Salane - Drums (1997) - (2002)
- Will Killingsworth - GuitarElectric guitarAn electric guitar is a guitar that uses the principle of direct electromagnetic induction to convert vibrations of its metal strings into electric audio signals. The signal generated by an electric guitar is too weak to drive a loudspeaker, so it is amplified before sending it to a loudspeaker...
(1997) - (2002) - Brad Wallace - Bass GuitarBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
(1998) - (1999) - Geoff Garlock - Bass GuitarBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
(1999) - (2002)
Studio albums
- Chaos Is MeChaos Is MeChaos Is Me is the debut studio album by American screamo band Orchid. It was released in 1999 through Ebullition Records. Chaos Is Me heralded the change of the guard for extreme music, and brought both Amherst, Massachusetts and Hampshire College to the forefront of the scene's attention.- Track...
LP (Ebullition, 1999) - Dance Tonight! Revolution Tomorrow!Dance Tonight! Revolution Tomorrow!Dance Tonight! Revolution Tomorrow! is the second studio album by screamo band Orchid. It was released on 10" vinyl by Ebullition Records. The vinyl press was limited to 3000 copies; 1000 each in Red, Yellow and clear.-Track listing:-Recording Personnel:...
10" (Ebullition, 2001) - Gatefold LP/CD (Ebullition, July 9, 2002)
Compilation albums
- Dance Tonight! Revolution Tomorrow! + Chaos Is Me CD (Ebullition, September 10, 2002)
- Totality CD (Clean Plate, January 15, 2005)
EPs and split records
- Demo Cassette Tape (Self-Released)
- Orchid / Pig Destroyer Split 7" (Amendment, 1997)
- Self-Titled 7" (Hand Held Heart, 1999)
- Orchid / Encyclopedia Of American Traitors Split 7" (Witching Hour Records, 1999)
- Orchid / Combat Wounded Veteran Split 6" (Clean Plate, 1999)
- Orchid / The Red Scare Split 7" (Hand Held Heart, 2000)
- Orchid / Jeromes Dream Skull Record (Witching Hour Records, 2000)