Orson (band)
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| Orson | |
|---|---|
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| Background information | |
| Origin | Hollywood, California, United States |
| Genres | Rock Power pop |
| Years active | 2000–2007 |
| Labels | Mercury |
| Members | |
| Jason Pebworth Kevin Roentgen George Astasio Johnny Lonely Chris Cano |
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| Past members | |
| Chad Rachild Johnny Fedevich Jason Byrum |
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Orson was a BRIT Award-winning American rock band from Hollywood, California, formed in 2000.
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[edit] Career
Originally the band called itself Halogen. Recently,[when?] it was also known as Dr. Lady. Their self-financed first album, Bright Idea, released by Mercury Records in 2006, was produced in Los Angeles by Noah Shain and achieved chart success in the UK with the first single, "No Tomorrow". The album reached number 1 in their respective categories.
The band first played on UK radio during a live session on BBC Radio 2's Dermot O'Leary Show. Following this they appeared at the 2006 Virgin Mobile V Festival in Staffordshire and Chelmsford in the UK. In Chelmsford, the lead singer exclaimed, "It's good to be home!" This is because the band moved to London from Los Angeles in 2006.
Lead singer Jason Pebworth said in an interview that the band's musical influences are Led Zeppelin, Flaming Lips, Beck and Björk.[1]
The band also appeared on UK football based TV show Soccer AM. When asked which team they supported, they replied "No one". They were therefore allocated Rotherham United, for whom they eventually played a benefit gig at a venue in the Rotherham tourist attraction Magna Science Adventure Centre (This gig never happened, as it was cancelled a few weeks beforehand).
Signed to Universal Publishing, Pebworth and George Astasio remain successful writers and producers under the name The Invisible Men, along with colleague Jon Shave, formerly of Xenomania. They have already had hits with artists like The Noisettes and Gabriella Cilmi, and also work with new artist Jessie J.
Kevin Roentgen is currently[when?] pursuing a solo career with his project Praying Hands, as well as continuing to write and produce for other artists. His other venture, Hott Mess, released an EP on itunes called Love Is Cheap in June 2009.
Johnny Lonely continues to perform as well as managing new artists as 'Lo Pro' in Los Angeles, and performed with Roentgen on the Hott Mess EP.
Chris Cano works continuously as a drummer and toured with mega-band Ozomatli.
[edit] Members
The band consists of:
- Jason Pebworth - vocals, song writer
- George Astasio - guitar
- Kevin Roentgen - guitar and backing vocals
- Johnny Lonely - bass guitar
- Chris Cano - drums
- Ciaran Patrick Collins - Guitar and backing vocals
[edit] Discography
[edit] Studio albums
| Year | Album details | Peak chart positions | Certifications (sales thresholds) |
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US | AUT | FRA | GER | IRL | SWI | UK |
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| 2006 | Bright Idea
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— | 51 | 29 | 48 | 32 | 38 | 1 |
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| 2007 | Culture Vultures
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— | — | — | — | — | — | 25 | |
[edit] Singles
| Year | Title | Peak chart positions | Album | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UK | UK Download | |||
| 2006 | "No Tomorrow" | 1 | 1 | Bright Idea |
| "Bright Idea" | 11 | 8 | ||
| "Happiness" | 27 | 68 | ||
| "Already Over" | 174 | — | ||
| 2007 | "Ain't No Party" | 21 | 18 | Culture Vultures |
[edit] Other contributions
- The Saturday Sessions: The Dermot O'Leary Show (2007, EMI) - "I Can't Go For That"
[edit] In popular culture
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This unreferenced section requires citations to ensure verifiability. |
- Their single "Tryin' to Help" featured in the 2006 romantic comedy It's a Boy/Girl Thing.[citation needed]
- Nominated by Q magazine for "Best New Artist of 2006" along with Lily Allen, Arctic Monkeys, Corinne Bailey Rae and The Kooks.
- Orson appeared at the "Concert for Diana" on 1 July 2007.[citation needed]
