Orange Juice officially started in March of 2004, when guitarist Nick Grandchamp, drummer Bruce Fitzgerald and now lead vocalist Evan, decided they wanted to start a band. The fact that Orange Juice exists today is a grand feat in itself, considering none of them had picked up an instrument in their life. So from this time on, through early 2005, the band slowly learned to master their instrument of choice and how to play together as a band.
In the spring of 2005, the trio recorded a 5 song demo all by themselves with a 4-track tape recorder and a decent set of microphones. The recording was primitive in form, but got them attention in their local town. The recording was thoughtfully titled, "The Pulp Demo." Through the summer of 2005, the band practiced relentlessly, forming a respectable 7 song set, which landed them their first show at the annual Punk In The Park in Rutland City. The show was a success and the group has been offered shows consistently since.
In December of 2005, Orange Juice embarked on its first proper recording, which resulted in the 7 song "Divided We Stand, United We Rise EP," recorded and mixed by local folk/rock artist Phil Henry. Coincidentally, Mr. Henry was the High School music teacher and the EP was completed by April of 2006 during after school sessions at West Rutland High School.
The EP began to land the group shows in various venues across the state of Vermont. In addition, the disc sparked a random following just over the border in NH in the towns of Lancaster and Bethlehem. 2006 saw the band playing shows consistently every weekend with other local VT and NH punk bands.
In November 2006, Evan the lead vocalist and bassist decided that he wanted to concentrate solely on his vocals and soon Orange Juice was searching for a skilled bassist with a good attitude. The search ended with Matt Kimball, who had founded the popular pop-punk/rock band, Class Clown and had played bass with the progressive punk band, Fall Lineup, fronted by the late guitar genius Kevin Berkley Powers. With Matt ripping away at the thump staff and Evan pouring his energy into the vocals, the 4 piece began to embark on the recording of its debut album in December of 2006.
The debut Orange Juice album, "Land Of The Dead," released on September 20, 2007, was recorded and mixed in 20 different sessions from December 2006 through June 2007 with renowned folk/rock guitarist Phil Henry. The album consists of 12 tight songs, taking equal stabs at melodic hardcore, 80's hardcore, street punk and contemporary metal with Iron Maiden influenced guitar riffs. With their debut album "Land Of The Dead," the group hopes to embark on tours across the greater northeast and east coast of the United States. Look out for Orange Juice coming to a town near you!
Unfortunately, due to personal differences Matt Kimball left Orange Juice on November 29th, 2007.
In addition to the music, Orange Juice endorses a lifestyle based on non-violent resistence and an attempt to break down the barriers of racism, sexism, homophobia, ethnocentrism and all forms of capitol making money at the expense of human dignity. We are not a fan of the current Bush Regime and its belief that the US may use unilateral military force at will. Our government's belligerent foreign policy with the illegal and immoral occupation of Iraq, is a serious threat to the security of the world. All four of us in Orange Juice take this seriously and will do whatever is necessary to awaken the people of this country to its government's horrific attocities to humankind. Orange Juice is a band that can't be silenced.
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Orange Juice Discography:
-Divided We Stand, United We Rise ( DIY 7 song CDEP): Originally Released in May 2006, OUT OF PRINT
-Land Of The Dead (12 song CD Album): Released on September 20, 2007
New Releases:
The Jonee Earthquake Band Fall/Winter 2007 CD Single. Our track "The Essence Of Fear," is included on this disc. Other bands included are The Hostiles, Kermit's Finger, Samherst and Maggie Duford. The JEQ tracks are "20 Flight Rock" and "Don't Blame Us." Spiral 69. Available for $1 at all JEQ shows and at www.joneeearthquake.com.
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