The Orchids

The enigmatic five piece band formed in Glasgow have released some of the finest pop songs of their generation since humble beginnings in Penilee, a suburb of the city, where the three founder members grew up and started the band in 1986. Their first six singles and three albums were met with widespread critical acclaim, much of this from out-with the UK. They graduated from the gentle lo-fi craft of their first album, Lyceum, in 1989 (“A minor classic – don’t let is pass you by” said NME) through to the ground breaking and progressive sounds of their third, aptly titled, Striving For The Lazy Perfection (“lithe, evocative and memorable music” – Melody Maker) in 1994 with “sixth member” Ian Carmichael of One Dove at the studio controls.
In the intervening years they released Unholy Soul in 1991 (“Sarah Records answer to the Beach Boys Pet Sounds”) and some truly original singles & EPs that, in keeping with a stance sometimes perceived as awkward and single minded, were always kept apart from album projects. The ethos was always more about value for money for their fans than genuine stubbornness, however. The singles included what many believe to be the high point of their career to date, Something For The Longing as well as final single Thaumaturgy in 1993.
Reformed in 2004 after a break of Paddy McAloon proportions they are now ready to take another swipe at the tedious world of the music business with an album that takes them back to their musical roots. Recorded at Riverside Studios, home to other better known homegrown acts such as Travis, Teenage Fanclub and Trash Can Sinatras, their new record Good To Be A Stranger is a fabulous collection of new songs that will feed the hungry appetite of the fan base that has grown over the intervening years. Ahead of their time in the early 90’s, it is only now that many have realised how fascinating and mature those earlier releases were.
GOOD TO BE A STRANGER is released on Madrid based label Siesta on 5th February 2007 and the band will be heading out to play live gigs for the first time in twelve years to promote the new release – nothing like keeping your fans waiting! Offers of gigs in the UK, Sweden, Spain, France, Germany, Greece, Singapore and the USA illustrate how the World Wide Web has allowed their global reputation to grow. Later in 2007, a cover of The Go Betweens’ song Magic In Here will also appear on a Grant McLennan tribute album, Love Goes On, released on USA’s Rare Victory Records. You can also currently hear one of the new songs Down To The Ocean on Siesta Records compilation Erre Que Erre.