.net starts by asking the obvious question: what's with the name? "The best way to understand the meaning of the name is through the phrase 'the feast of life'," says Pink. "The name comes from an old book which I've nevr read, but was mentioned in the Henry Miller Book Sexus. I used to write for fanzines under the name Caeser Pink and when I read the name The Imperial Orgy they just seemed to fit together." "Our overall attitude is one of embracing all of the best things in life. The live performances freely pull from a variety of art forms, and from every musical style. We try to rise above the social cliques that divide music fans and draw people in from all different cultural bases. Plus there's a strong sexual component to what we do. We try to use sexuality as a means of bringing people into an experience which ultimately is spiritual." Those who can't get to a performance can take an interactive journey of self discovery at The Imperial Orgy's website. (http://www.theorgyexperience.com) The group's outlook is an unusual mix of Eastern metaphysics, Western paganism, and Goddess worship, and the site mentions the four elements - earth, air, fire, and water - the four seasons, the four points of the compass, and the magic nature of the number four. Is the group Satanic? And what do they mean by pagan pan-sexuality? "We definately don't consider ourselves to be Satanists," Pink tells .net. To be a Satanist, you'd have to follow the metaphysical outlook of the Judao-Christian philosophies. Our outlook is based on the common ground found within Hinduism, Buddhism, Taoism, ancient Europeon paganism, and various tribal beliefs from around the world." Ah. The site includes rants about the group's indifference to being labelled ("Say we're communists! Terrorists! Sexual Deviants! Say we don't think Seinfeld is funny! Say we don't spell women with a"Y" or eat organic vegetables!"). There are details of the group's music and live performances, including choice lyrics such as, "You're the Goddess, I'm the beast, join me in life's wanton feast." Once you've grapsed the basics, you're encouraged to search for the pathway leading into the concentric layers of the madela maze. The path inside is strewn with obstacles, and you're asked to participate by relaxing, gently stroking your skin and concentrating on the feeelings of pleasure. Progressing through the page is supposed to be a sensual experience. There's a notice that says, "if your eyes are tired, please come back another time. Your mental state will affect the experience for yourself and other visitors." What's that supposed to mean? "I included this because the bulk of the material on the site is overwhelming," Pink explains. "To really get through it and absorb it should take a few visits. Because some of the content is so personal to me, the site is designed so that people who are cynical towards the ideas will give up before they get into the deeper levels. The reference to 'future visitors' is there because we plan to post some of the more interesting answers for future visitors to read." Pink says the responses affect the group's work in a subtle way. "One of the reasons I formed the band was because I cannot understand the values people hold. When I walk in the streets and subways of New York and see people crammed on the subway cars like cattle, and the unhappy looks on their faces as they rush to their jobs, I feel like an alien. There is so much humiliation and degradation for working class people, yet they never seem to question what they're doing and why. This is something I long to understand." Lack of understanding can go both ways, and there are certainly those who don't appreciate The Imperial Orgy's values. Last year the New York based company Website Host refused to host the group's web site, describing it as "religiously offensive and racist." "We don't have to host a site that mocks the God in which we believe," declared a company spokesman. In it's defense Pink explains, "They objected to a comedy piece by performance artist The Reverend Blue Blotter in which he says that God is a big breasted woman, and they found it racially offensive that we sometimes mock our own stereotypes by wearing signs such as a black person calling themselves 'nigger.' Other signs read 'hick,' 'kike,' and 'chink.' We do things to break down restraints so our performance becomes a no-hold-barred free-for-all. "Musically and socially The Imperial Orgy excludes the prujudiced. Music fans who limit their taste to a particular style of rock and roll, or who are uncomfortable in a socially open environment, will find some aspect of the band offensive. We appeal to people who have no restraints holding them back from savouring the feast." Pink says the refusal to host the Orgy's web site was a clear case of religious and political discrimination. "Because this man disagrees with our beliefs, he is trying to supress them. He assumes that the word God refers to Jesus Christ, when it is actually a title many religions use when referring to their own diety." Pink also denies the group is racist. "The word 'nigger' was used in a statement that was clearly against racism. By the same logic, groundbreaking television shows such as Roots and All In The Family would never be allowed because they used the word 'nigger' while trying to enlighten people about racial issues. The politically correct climate has become irrational and we're being driven backwards because of fascist censorship tactics." Pink emphasises that the Orgy find the norms of convention objectionable. Exactly which ones, we ask. "It is not so much the norms themselves, but the pressure to follow those norms," Pink explains. "Even after all the social changes we've been through, there's still a great deal of pressure to follow a herd mentality. Artistically and musically there's very little creativity right now. And socially, people generally seem to be very content to follow the social trends without question." |