Orson (band)

Orson
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
Past members
Chad Rachild Johnny Fedevich Jason Byrum

Orson was a BRIT Award-winning American rock band from Hollywood, California, formed in 2000.

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.

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.

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

Discography

Studio albums

Year	Album details	Peak chart positions							Certifications (sales thresholds)
		US	AUT	FRA	GER	IRL	SWI	UK
2006	Bright Idea Released: May 29, 2006 Label: Mercury Formats: CD, digital download	—	51	29	48	32	38	1	UK: Platinum
2007	Culture Vultures Released: October 22, 2007 Label: Mercury Formats: CD, digital download	—	—	—	—	—	—	25

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

Other contributions

• The Saturday Sessions: The Dermot O'Leary Show (2007, EMI) - "I Can't Go For That"

In popular culture

• 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]}

References

1. ^ Jason Pebworth's biography

External links

• MySpace profile
• The Official Unofficial Website