Orange 9mm "Driver Not Included" CD
Posted on Friday, January 13th, 2006 @ 11:15am » permalink
Here's another one that's definitely way up there in terms of being one of the most frequently played CD's in my entire collection. Probably best known for being vocalist Chaka Malik's focus post-Burn, as he was the mainstay amongst almost constant lineup changes, Orange 9mm formed in the early-90's and released two EP's and three full-lengths before all was said and done sometime around late-1999/2000 or so – at which point the band sort of seemed to fizzle away.
"Driver Not Included" is the key essential classic amongst the band's output. I bought this shit the day it came out it's lingered around in my regular rotation for over a decade now – a flawless album on every level: Amazing lyrics, perfect production, exceptionally awesome songwriting, etc. In my mind this is one of the greatest post-hardcore releases of all time, and one that truly exemplifies all of the finest traits of the genre with its intensely rhythmic nature that's loaded with dissonant guitar textures that occasionally border on being noisy (but never uncontrolled). They took a little flak from some listeners due to the hip-hop influenced flow of some of the vocal arrangements, but in my opinion Orange 9mm handled those influences better than just about anyone could ever hope to, and while it was a distinct benefit in the end, it wasn't really as much a part of their core sound as some would have you believe. What can I say? A totally badass band, and I fucking worship this record. "Can't Decide" is probably one of my top 10 favorite songs… ever since I was a kid. You absolutely can't go wrong with this album.
Stand real close to me and do just like I do open your mind and cock the trigger back far pull it at the point where you feel most pain pull it at the point where you feel most alive I can't live life's so dirty we're so lost standing on the edge of our lives without a dime or a thought or a dream dizzy just crying to fall head over heels in love with something…
I guess this one's also officially out of print these days, but since there are so many inconceivably stupid people in the world you can benefit from their mental incapacities by finding the disc all over the place for less than a buck. Do yourself a favor and make the grab:
Here's a story for you: I was flipping through MTV one day when I was maybe 12 or 13 and they had a special on some festival out on the West Coast. Orange 9mm was one of the bands they showed some live footage of and I immediately went out and bought "Driver…". This was really my first introduction to music that wasn't Silverchair or White Zombie and it blew my mind that there was stuff like this out there. I listened to that CD until it was so scratched I couldn't play it in my little portable CD player anymore. O9MM showed me the way, literally.
This doesn't TOUCH the BURN 7" on Rev. It's not even close.
I had this record and do think it's OK, but mostly I listened (and saw them live) hoping for just one moment that mirrored BURN.
If anyone out there doesn't have the BURN 7" buy it right away. One of the best early 90's hardcore 7" of all time. A great line up and a live show that was just beyond words. My all time favorite show could be Device / Turning Point / BURN in 1990. Flawless.
The best work of Orange 9mm I've found is a live promo CD I have that was released by their label during the 'Driver*' days. I got it while working at a record store. Not bad…
I'm not comparing them to Burn at all, I just love both bands. The Burn 7" is the best thing Revelation ever released and it's an absolutely unbelievable masterpiece, make no mistake…
I like their records in chronological order – the Revelation EP being the favorite, and "…Human" the least favorite. Still, a great band all in all. I always thought the Burn factor did them in, and was unfair. You can't recreate the Burn feel without the same cast of characters, no matter what you do.
I'm with you on "Can't Decide", though I do prefer the version from the Rev. EP. That record is one of my favorites, all of the songs were just incredible.
this has always been one of my favorite cds. cutting and draining is probably the best album closing song ever, but the whole listen is fucking strong. not one track I even barely dislike. good choice.
there is something about this record that reminds me of BOTH WORLDS. but its actually way better.
Why didn't you rip "Glistening" instead? It's by far the greatest song on the album, almost as good as "Driver" from the first EP. Anyway, what a great post. Chaka Malik is perhaps not the greats hc-vocalist, but definitely one of the most original. Too bad they didn't include "Driver" on this album, since it's such a fucking good song.
Nice… Orange 9 never really seemed to get the respect they deserved. I have to admit I HATED this band upon first listen but my friends played them so much that and i finally realized what they were going for and now I really love their CDs. It's a shame when people just want someone to recreate a prior band that they were in. Burn was awesome. That EP was the first Revelation release that I owned (bought it from an add i saw in Thrasher). But Burn's sound was also due to the other guys in the band as well. Anyway, people need to not let artists prior history dictate what they think of them too much. I would probably say I like o9mm's "Tragic" album the most. It's a little more diverse than the others and the Rev ep that followed was really good too. They always got such clean full recordings. Nice post. – EMS
You can get Driver Not Included on iTunes.
Sweet post. Killer band of the time, like people say aint no Burn but non the less I dont think they tried to be Burn. First heard "suspect" on an old snowboarding vhs tape after that I was hunting down this CD. Was unable to find it new anywhere seems around here at the time no one knew wtf I was talking about, later that same day I walked into a used cd/tape store and shit they had it for 6bucks in the markdown bin. Orange 9mm seemed to have gotten soft after the Driver* release…I think they wanted to grab a bit of the mainstream.
Driver is an incredible album — great post.
For anyone who likes BURN and O9mm, check out CHARGE at http://www.myspace.com/charge. They're heavily influenced by Burn, Bad Brains, and Rage Against the Machine. Vocally, Chaka and John Joseph (Both Worlds era) are major influences. Chaka might also be doing guest vocals on the new Charge LP. He has confirmed to do it, but the band is still deciding if they want to have guest vocal slots or not. Enjoy the "new BURN"!
Kevin
counterintelligence recordings
I liked O9mm but at some point lost interest, I'm looking forward to hearing these songs again.
Andrew – you'll love this: it must have been a Handsome tour where they were opening for O9mm. a guitarist for O9mm flew home b/c of a death in the family – so who filled in? Tom Cappone. It was great.
Awesome post, both Driver and Tragic need to be owned.
Amazing band. At the time they lost me after their debut 12"LP on Revelation. I felt that the re-recordings lackes the pure energy and emotional charge of these 1st recordings.
Love this band. "Driver Not Included" is a profound influence on my band, undoubtedly. "Guyatone" and "Cutting and Draining" are my two faves. The Rev EP excluded (which they recorded about 4 weeks after forming, apparently), their other releases fell well short of "Driver", indeed.
Check this: in 1999, I saw these guys headline a show in Baltimore. You know who played first?
CHEVELLE.
Before the local bands played, even. Chevelle must've learned a few things after that tour, because "Wonder What's Next" had a distinctly different sound than their debut…
Josh
http://www.xlookingforwardx.com
Just discovered your site today… mu official Saturday of web-surfing and xbox 360-ing. Anayway… I couldn't agree more on the Driver Not Included post. I'm diggin' the site. I'm 33 and went to school at VCU so I appreciate the Askance, Contagen, and Joyburner posts too! See ya.