Orchid Interview

California has some great bands, Orchid being one of them. We will have the opportunity to see them performing live in Athens this summer but before that let’s have a small talk with them first. 

Orchid: The early years. Tell us how this music trip started. 

Theo and I (Mark Thomas Baker : Guitar) have collaborated on music off and on since the mid-90s. Sometime in 2006 we started talking about playing music together again. After a year or so of searching for the right guys, we met Nickel. Shortly thereafter we auditioned Carter and the four of us have been playing this music since 2007. It’s had many ups and downs, but I know we’re all proud that we’ve stuck together through the good times and bad.

Four-men band means different influences. Upon which bands are your influences crossed? 

Black Sabbath, Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, Iron Maiden, Metallica, Thin Lizzy, Judas Priest…probably a few others. Generally blues influenced rock from the 70s and early 80s metal.

What’s the current status of the band?

I’m the only married member.

Your new album called “Sign of the Witch” is almost out. How do you feel about that? 

Really good! I feel like we played the best we ever have in the studio and I hope it shows once the mix/mastering is all complete, which should be any day. I’m a bit disappointed that it’s only 4 songs, but eventually we’ll get another full album together.

Which are the big differences from the other releases? 

Just the sound of being more comfortable working together and growing into what we’re doing. I’m not sure there’s any ‘big’ difference. It’s 4 songs that no one has heard though.

How was the recording process? 

As easy as it’s ever been. We worked with someone new this time and used a different method than we have before.

Is there any “spicy” story that you want to share about this record? 

We all ate a lot of Mexican food during the tracking sessions

On this tour you are on the lineup at big fests like Hellfest, Graspop & Freak Valley among others, does this fact make the tour more special or are all stages the same for you? 

No, those will be different for sure. We haven’t played any huge stages like that before, so hopefully all goes well.

How is the touring life? 

It always takes a day or two to get used to the rhythm, but after that you lose track of what day it is and the days just go by. We didn’t tour in 2014, so it’s been a few minutes since we’ve been out.

First time in Athens, Greece, how do you feel about that and what are your expectations from the Greeks? 

Very excited! It’s always sounded so exotic to come and play there and now we finally get to! I hope they go fucking mad! Also, we have a day off in Athens after the show and it’s my birthday, so very excited to party in Athens that day!

Thank you once more for this great interview. Our little tradition is on the last question for the band to say whatever they want to close the interview. So feel free to say whatever you want! 

Youth is wasted on the young!