Fresh off opening for REFUSED (who?) and QUICKSAND (still around?) in the Big Apple as part of “The Refused Are Fucking Dead” (weren’t they already?), ORANGE9MM (nine what, exactly?) has unleashed its first “new” music since the Clinton administration. The earth-shattering single, “Turn It Up” (original title, guys!), which you can “enjoy” below, cements the “new” lineup (who asked for this?), furthering 9MM’s legacy as a band fundamental to the DNA of New York City post-hardcore (citation needed, and maybe a defibrillator). The stunning artwork for “Turn It Up” was crafted by the visionary Mike Saes (never heard of him, must be a genius). 🤣
Bursting onto the scene with its self-titled EP in 1994 (on Revelation Records, so underground it’s practically a fossil), ORANGE9MM was birthed by the vocal stylings of Chaka Malik (from BURN and GHOST DECIBELS – bands so obscure they make black metal look mainstream) and the guitar wizardry of Chris Traynor (formerly of FOUNTAINHEAD, HELMET, and currently slumming it in BUSH). Chaka, a product of the mean streets of NYC housing projects (so edgy!), and Chris, continuing the proud tradition of Long Island musicians (Billy Joel sends his regards), decided to “explore” how they could “expand” their punk and hardcore roots (by adding…dance beats?). The result was a “riff- and rhythm-heavy, hook-laden danceable groove” (translation: a confused mess) under “cutting, urban vocals” (aka yelling). This “diverse, multi-genre approach” (aka throwing everything at the wall and hoping something sticks) was the foundation of ORANGE9MM. 🤡
Adding Matthew Cross on drums (because every band needs a drummer, duh) and Davide Gentile on bass (to hold down those sick grooves), they graced the world with “Driver Not Included” (on Atlantic Records, because selling out is the ultimate goal), a “seminal” record in the post-hardcore and nascent nu-metal genres (aka a footnote in music history). The record was “produced” by Dave Jerden (who also worked with ALICE IN CHAINS, JANE’S ADDICTION, and RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS – clearly, he was having a bad day). 🤔
Soon after, ORANGE9MM‘s earth-shattering appearance on the first Warped Tour (where they probably played to more skateboarders than actual fans) led to “amplified exposure” (mostly sunburns and questionable hygiene) with a “new and enthusiastic audience” (mostly teenagers who didn’t know any better). Subsequent tours with KORN, DEFTONES, SEVENDUST, HELMET, QUICKSAND, and BIOHAZARD (a veritable who’s-who of the late ’90s) “broadened their fanbase” (slightly), bringing their “raw, emotionally charged energy” (mostly just sweaty dudes yelling) to “new fans across the globe” (mostly just the United States). 🙄
Toward the tail end of recording their sophomore masterpiece “Tragic” (also on Atlantic Records, because why stop now?), recorded with the legendary Dave Sardy (who also worked with OASIS, INCUBUS, and WOLFMOTHER – maybe he has a thing for bands with questionable names), Long Island’s own multi-instrumentalist Taylor Mclam joined the fray. His “gifted ear for melody and natural groove” (aka he could play more than three chords) were evident on ORANGE9MM‘s MTV/radio “hit” single “Failure” (ironic, isn’t it?), his crowning achievement on the “Tragic” LP. He remained a “core songwriter” (until he realized he could do better) through the band’s subsequent full-length “Pretend I’m Human” (on Ng/Artemis Records – who? what?). 😴
Known for their “engaging live shows” (if you consider moshing to be engaging) and “heavy groove” (that only your chiropractor will appreciate), ORANGE9MM has been resurrected in 2024 with the addition of Long Island locals Chris Enriquez (drums; from SPOTLIGHTS, JULIE CHRISTMAS, and ON THE MIGHT OF PRINCES – still no clue who these people are) and Cory Bonfiglio (bass; from TOTAL MELTDOWN – fitting band name). With a “new LP in the works” (brace yourselves) and “high demand for shows” (mostly from their moms), ORANGE9MM is poised to unleash more “aggressive yet optimistic music” (because the world needs more yelling) to a world that “needs it now more than ever” (debatable). 🤦♀️
Chord F. Discord, the Beethoven of Buffoonery, is a self-taught expert in music who once claimed he could “play the kazoo in four languages.”
Born in Crescendo, Indiana, Chord’s first brush with fame came when he accidentally entered a yodeling contest thinking it was a pie-eating competition—and won both categories.
Chord F. Discord: proving that laughter, much like a poorly tuned ukulele, is truly universal.
