Rockin’ the Hard Rock

Band on the rise: Orkÿd, featuring Pierce students jam at the LA venue

Eli

Up and coming West Hills band Orkyd performed at Hollywood’s Hard Rock Café in front of a packed house, Thursday night.

The group formed in October of 2010 with original members Brandon Messersmith, 27, a former Pierce student and Shaun Ward, 25.

“Literally within the first day we were jamming like we had been playing together forever,” bassist, Messersmith said.

The instant chemistry lead the two searching for a drummer. Luckily, Ward knew a drummer that was willing to collaborate with them.

Garret Baldwin nailed the first audition and instantly clicked with the band. All that remained was just one piece, another bassist. The group struggled to find a bassist for over a year.

“All the other bass players were either flaky or completely obliterated our songs,” Messersmith said.

Finally, through Facebook, Orkyd contacted Pierce College student Garret McIntosh to audition for their band.

“We ended up jamming for about three hours- random jams, nothing was written.” Messersmith said. “He blew us away.”

The group couldn’t deny the fact that McIntosh was the final piece they were searching for.

McIntosh, who has played with five other bands, said this has been the best band he’s ever worked with.

“I gelled with these guys immediately and I’m very lucky I get the chance to play with great musicians that always push me to be my best,” said McIntosh. “It’s such a big honor to play with them.”

The group prides itself on improving its music.

“We are all really pushing ourselves and that is what is making our music come out great,” Orkyd’s drummer Baldwin said. “What we’re doing amazes us.”

This was the groups second performance as a complete ensemble, so emotions were high before stepping up onto Hollywood’s Hard Rock Café stage.

“It was a nice mixture of anxiety, excitement and adrenaline,” said Shaun Ward.

“Can I get another beer?,” Garret Baldwin added.

There was no doubt that the group had a mixture of emotions coming out and performing Thursday night.

Fortunately, the band embraces these emotions and focuses them into their music.

“We use our instruments as channels of our emotions,”