artists » George Astasio of Orson

In the last couple of years Orson have seen huge success with their first album Bright Idea storming the charts and going platinum.

This self financed debut was put together by the band in a friends garage in LA, of which George says “We just decided to go ahead and record an album on our own, work it out of a van and chase that dream.” In the same year they also walked away with a Brit award for Best International Breakthrough Act and played some of the highest profile gigs of the year. The American rockers are now based in London and are back with a whole new offering of catchy pop tunes with their new album ‘Culture Vultures’. Their currently busy promoting the new single Aint No Party and preparing for the UK tour, but guitarist and founding member George Astasio took time out to have a chat to Vox:

You first formed in 2000 - how did that come about?
I actually put an ad out for a singer and I think I spent most of the year trying people out until I came across Jason. He moved up from Texas to LA and we started putting the band together. That’s how we found the other members - Johnny Chris and Kevin.

How has the music developed since then - would you say your sound has changed much?
Our music has sure been though its phases stylistically - at the time we were really into Radiohead so were really experimental with sounds. Then later on we decided we were going to focus on making pop music. Although saying that, the new album is more rock - it has a bigger sound and that has a lot to do with our love of playing live. We wanted to bring some of that live element to the album.

You’ve played some huge gigs, such as the concert for Diana at the new Wembley stadium, but you also play small clubs - which do you prefer?
Whichever comes up - it’s always fun to play live whether it’s a club or a huge stadium, which we’ve had the chance to do - both are fun.

Have you always been a fan of Vox?
I’ve always like Vox but I never had a chance to own one. My other guitar player at the time had a Vox and I always liked his rig. Then when he quit the band I thought now its ok for me to get one. I went ahead and got and AC30 and was thoroughly happy. I use my AC30CC2X both live on stage and in the studio because it has a lot of character - just the right amount of gain that really cuts through when your playing with a rock band. It has presence.

You’ve relocated to the UK from L.A. Does living in London effect the creative influences?
Yeah I think so, back in L.A. I’d always read through the L.A. weekly to see which bands are playing at my local clubs. Now I get to see new home grown acts. There’s a good healthy music scene out here and there’s nothing better for me than to see a band that could leave an impression on you to make you go home and write a tune about it.

Finally what advice would you give to any budding guitarists out there?
Dont make it so hard on yourself when you get frustrated trying to learn some hard ass riff or chord. Learn the easy ones first, nail them, then move on to the next.

For more info on Orson check out www.myspace.com/orson