IndieRec Interview with Orange Park
By Dave DiSanzo
http://www.indierec.com

One recent evening, I wandered out into the New York City night with a co-worker, both worked up about situations relating to the job. We set out to grab a beer or two and perhaps catch a band. Nothing in the listings seemed to spark an interest in either of us. Then I saw the name Orange Park. It sounded serene. They were appearing at the Mercury Lounge, a favorite venue of mine, and at 7PM, a perfect time since we were just heading out after work. I figured even if the band sucked, the Mercury has a great bar and lots of good tap beer.

So off we went. What was in store for us was a blistering 30 minute set of the finest upbeat, rocking and power-popping tunes we had heard in a good spell, performed live with intensity and integrity. Orange Park's music is timeless rock and roll. It calls to mind classic acts Badfinger, The Records, and Cheap Trick, and modern rockers such as the melodic side of the Foo Fighters, the first Velvet Crush album, and Oasis. Edgy slices of melody sugared with sweet sibling harmonies and honest lyrics about despair and hope smack you in the face like a brand new day. The music bubbles with an optimism that wants to shake you from your hangover of bad pop music that you've been subjected to for far too long now.

The band are led by the guitarists, singers, songwriters, and brothers Jeff and Justin. Read on to check out what they have to say about their music and experiences so far. Also check out www.orangeparkmusic.com and get a copy of their EP at http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/orangepark/from/powerpopradio/

IR: So the four of you formed the band in Williamsburg, Brooklyn three years ago, but I understand that some of you are originally from Florida. Was the move to NYC directly related to starting the band? Brooklyn is quite the hipster scene these days.

JEFF: Well, I would say the move was definitely related to the band. We had no idea where we were moving when we came here in 1997. A friend of ours found this loft in Bed-Stuy for us, and soon after we moved into our basement in Williamsburg. It was a lot different then. The "hipster" scene hadn't spread like it has now. I never really considered our band part of that whole thing anyway. We always have been a little on the outer edge.

IR: What were your reasons for starting this band (musical influences, etc.)?

JEFF: No reason really. We never really started the band. We've all known each other for a long time. It just kinda formed itself really. Hmmm musical influences... too many to name.

JUSTIN: We started this band because we all love music. We knew right away this was our thing, and the beauty of rock' n roll is that no one can take it away. It's part of you, and if you aren't laying everything on the line for it then you ain't in a rock n roll band. You might as well be playing Free Bird somewhere until your too old to matter.

IR: You seem to really enjoy playing for the crowd. I was knocked out by your enthusiasm and your musicianship on stage. How much of your time is devoted to touring these days?

JUSTIN: We are devoting pretty much all of our time to touring without living in a gutter. We just finished up a tour with Longwave and are heading across the country at the end of July. We love the fans, the energy, the road, the freaks, the freedom etc... are you kidding it's every one's dream to travel the country doing something you love.

IR: Your self-released four-track EP was issued last year, and now you've got a lovely new batch of tunes that you've been demoing. What are your hopes for these new songs?

JEFF: We plan to put most of those songs plus many more on a full length record. Right now we are deciding how we want to do that.

JUSTIN: That everyone loves them

IR: Do you think there is hope for the music industry?

JEFF: Sure, why not. There's hope for everything.

JUSTIN: No, not much hope for the industry but maybe a new breed of rock fans. Although money controls the industry and the consumer for the most part, the fans of rock n roll still have a responsibility to try and change it if it sucks. It's like not voting, and then complaining about the president. Don't buy shit records and watch these overproduced shit videos. Start your own band if you want, but make it good, Christ there's so much crap out there it's unbelievable. Rock n roll needs to be resurrected.

IR: What's everyone's role in the band? Who writes the majority of tunes?

JUSTIN: Jeff and I write the tunes , usually the main idea separately, or if we're missing a part the other one steps in . Then we bring it to the table and the whole band collaborates . We've got about 8 million songs, and are constantly writing.

IR: Where does your subject matter come from?

JEFF: I can only speak for myself when I say that I have no idea. I could guess...Dreams, Life, Girls, God, Demons, TV, Radio, Books, Friends, Drinking, Druggin', Sleeping, to name a few.

JUSTIN: It comes from somewhere that we don't know , and don't really want to know. Like the old expression let sleeping dogs lie. That's the place. DO NOT DISTURB, BUYER BEWARE,...all that nonsense.

IR: Those sibling harmonies are amazing. And the impact of the tunes....I am reminded constantly of my favorite bands (Badfinger, Cheap Trick, Posies, Fotomaker, etc.), yet your songs are completely your own. It's a classic sound yet freshly updated. Do you get branded with the dreaded 'power-pop' logo often? Genres and labels are so restricting so how would you like folks to refer to your sound?

JEFF: Oh sometimes they call it "power pop", but it really doesn't matter. People can call it what they want. But I would prefer that they referred to our sound as Harold.

JUSTIN: As long as people are referring to us we really don't care. It's when people stop talking about you that you have to wonder.

IR: Where's the name Orange Park come from?

JEFF: Orange Park is a place. Not a state of mind but an actual place.

JUSTIN: Orange Park is a place where we all used to meet chicks, smoke cigarettes, drink beer, fight, and play cards when we were teenagers.

IR: I noticed that you were added to Sirius Satellite Radio. How did this come about?

JEFF: I believe the Satellite Radio guys heard our E.P. through our manager. They liked it and decided to add it to their play list.

JUSTIN: I have no clue.

IR: How hard is it at this stage to make money at what you are doing? Also, are you using any indie promo/press at the moment or are you planning to in the future?

JEFF: It's always hard to make money. But we don't really think about that too much. Somehow we survive, and that's what's important. We have some things in the works, so we'll see. We're always trying to find ways to promote the band, now and in the future.

JUSTIN: It's hard but the good thing is that we're all broke anyways so it doesn't bother us to much. Now we're just broke, playing music as opposed to just plain broke.

IR: Any other comments you'd like to throw at us?

JEFF: Not really. Thanks for doing the interview, and we hope to see everyone at our upcoming shows.

JUSTIN: Yes, come see us play, buy our e.p., call your local radio stations, and yell really loud at our shows. Orange Park loves you so very much.