Wednesday, May. 28, 2008

Mister Orange: Back From the Ashes

By Bethany Lee

The gents of Mister Orange are rising from the ashes and are bringing their A-game.

Last year, the group split with drummer Mike Kollmar due to creative differences, and their keyboardist Sam Berven went off to college. The group took a hiatus, but now they're back with a new drummer and a big show at Ray's Golden Lion in Richland on Saturday, May 31, 2008.

Simply put by guitarist Kris Bennet, "People that were in our band before changed and they changed themselves right out of the band."

The guys laugh, but bassist Blake Mikulecky is quick to point out they wish the best for them.

"We only have love and respect for all members and former-members," he said.

Lead singer James Timmons added, "I think they'll be at the show and we'll all live happily ever after and coexist."

Coexisting is what their new drummer, Joe McMurphy, knows all too well. Once a drummer for Rigo Waltz, McMurphy is best known for being part of the punk trio CAB, after which Tim Thornton replaced him.

McMurphy has settled-in nicely into his new digs and is currently putting together a promotion packet for himself in order to get sponsored so he won't have to buy so many drum sticks. He also has no problem speaking for the band when they're distracted or goofing off.

"We're trying to get new pictures going," he said. "We're booking shows off in other cities, just kind of get things rolling -- get the ball rolling again."

The band is stoked about their upcoming shows and are ready to show off their four new tracks. They're working on an EP titled "Seven Ways To Levitate," but are waiting to record the rest of their album until after they've toured a bit.

"[Seven Ways To Levitate] was a title we were going to name our band, then we went with Mister Orange and it just kind of stuck," Bennet explained. "Plus, Darren's in magic school."

The group jokes their other guitarist Darren VanCorbach can levitate, but he has to use wires and a harness. Then the conversation quickly turned to PCP and other unmentionables.

When they're not joking around, the men of Mister Orange can be quite heartfelt. Their newest song on their MySpace, called "We Were Always Waiting At The Windows," is a personal one for Timmons, diving into his broken home.

"I wrote it about my mom, my brother and my dad," Timmons shared. "It was about when my mom left when we were young."

Forgive me mother/I've hurt your reservation/My only crime was loving too much/Open my terrified eyes/Set aside your silence and/Push me out as you scream

If you're a fan of their song Footsteps and Photographs, you'll be pleasantly surprised by their new song Footsteps and Photographs II, which is about not taking life for granted.

Days away/Maybe tomorrow/Maybe tomorrow's dying again/As we waste away your own/And tomorrow boy life can take anything away, away, away

Although the band line-up has changed, the guys refuse to say their sound has changed much, and the change came naturally.

"I think it altered itself by bringing in a new member," Mikulecky said.

Timmons admitted being a little nervous when Berven left the group, but quickly discovered the band was strong on its own.

The band's hardships came plenty over the past year. They were repeatedly kicked out of their jam space, finally resettling in a Pasco warehouse. The band is grateful to those who did lend a space in the beginning.

"Thanks for the opportunity, but sorry," Timmons said. "But if you're a neighbor who complained, then I will see you in hell ... from heaven."

To catch this band in action, check out their MySpace at www.myspace.com/misterorangemusic for upcoming shows.