Orson are back, and with them comes a decidedly rock and roll attitude. But can they shake the pop label?
 
I first saw the five-piece when they were debuting round the radio stations launching their first single No Tomorrow - and let me tell you, they made quite an impression. Whether it’s the way singer Jason looks you straight in the eye or watching Chris’s Mohican bob up and down as he drums, this Hollywood ‘pop’ band sure got this Indy girl dancing.
 
And it seemed I wasn’t the only one when they won a Brit award for the International Breakthrough Artist award earlier this year.
 
Formed in 2000, Orson includes singer Jason Pebworth, guitarists George Astasio and Kevin Roentgen, bassist John Scott Bentjen and drummer Chris Cano - they signed with Mercury Records in December 2005 and have been pretty much non-stop ever since. 
 
So a year on from their number one album Bright Idea, where exactly is the group going? I caught up with Chris for a chat ahead of the launch of their new single Ain’t No Party later this month.
 
I’m dying to know what happened to the Mohican!
    "I was tired of the upkeep, you know I do all the styling myself. I felt like a new look - but I’ve grown a bit of moustache to go with it.”
 
Tell us about the new album Culture Vultures.
    "It’s more rock and roll, more happy tunes. People forget we’re really a rock and roll band, when we released Bright Idea we didn’t want to mimic the indie bands that were out at the moment, we went deliberately poppy but people thought that was really us. With this album we went into the studio and started jamming, after all we’re a good live band so we fool around and some good stuff comes out.”
 
How does it work with so many different personalities in the band?
    "Quite well actually, we’re five guys with five completely different music tastes. I like my old 70’s tunes, funk, soul, jazz and rock and roll, whereas Jonny (bassist) likes punk and rock so we’re all very eclectic.
    “You’ve got to be completely open to new ideas or you’re doing yourself an injustice, you know once you’ve got rid of your pre-conceived notions. Saying that though you’ve got to stick to your guns - there’s only a few ways I’ll do things. But I mean you’re in a band with your friends at the end of the day.”
 
You’re back in Britain - how’s that working out for you?
    "Well we recorded our new songs in Shepherds Bush, for us England is a home away from home. Winning the Brit award - I was very surprised and I still am on a daily basis. We have great fans and Europe is such a faithful audience, they really enjoy their music.”
 
There’s some major touring coming up, when do you get a chance to have a holiday?
    "After we finished out tour in December we had a month-and-a-half off before going back into the studio in February. For me the pace could be faster - the more work the better. Success is being able to do something over and over again and I just can’t wait to get back on tour and do it all again.”
 
If I was a new listener - how would you sell Orson to me?
    “Well this year we’re bigger and better, we’re hoping to appeal to a wider audience with the new album but at the end of the day you either like us or you don’t, [Laughs] there’s no middle area. But hey, I like it - I really like the new single, well I don’t anymore I’ve heard it so often!”
 
How do you know if you’re on to a good track?
    "I test my music out on my mates, I have some really good friends who were in some big bands in the 80’s and they tell me straight. I trust their opinion but you’ve just got to stick true to yourself.”
 
Is there ever any clashes in the band?
    “We’re all very close but at the end of the day we’re five grown men! We all keep in contact by email, you know, give me my computer and a decent Internet connection and I’m happy. I’m very easy to please, I’m not a diva - there’s no bowl full of blue M&M’s on our tour bus.
    “It’s not like we’re saving the world or finding a cure for cancer, we’re just playing our music and that makes us happy. Touring last year was so mind-boggling we just can’t wait to start again, we love playing. In fact I don’t know how to do anything else - I’m an old man now.”
 
What does your family think of it all?
    “My family are so supportive, my parents spent twenty years supporting a struggling musician so there like “Yeah just go!”
    “My Wife comes with me sometimes although we have a rule of no girls allowed on the tour bus! But hey, we’re away only away like two weeks so we can survive, I miss my three massive mutts though - I do love my dogs.”
 
You sound so happy! There must be something bad about being a musician surely?
    “The lack of sleep can be tiring. There are scary times but I wouldn’t say there are low times, you know you sometimes think ‘Will they like us?’ or ‘Where will my record chart?’ That’s the thing you put your blood, sweat and tears into a record and then you have to await the response, that’s definitely a scary thing.”
 
Scared is the one thing this band isn't, on stage they take the crowd by the horns and don't let you go without a good noodle twisting. I know I’ll be looking forward to plenty of sharp outfits ahead of the tour and Chris assures me there are definitely hats ahoy.
 
The new single seems fun and vibrant with some great beats that I imagine would do a live show proud. Chris seems keen on pushing the rock and roll but from what I hear the pop vibe is still happening. Still that really isn’t a bad thing, after all - it’s what they do best.
 
See you on the dance floor...