DEAD GIRLS ACADEMY was formed in 2017 by Orlando, the former Frontman for horror-based act Vampires Everywhere, after recovering from a life-changing bus accident. DEAD GIRLS ACADEMY embraces Orlando’s penchant for pushing the envelope, both in musical style and image. “I’ve always been on the darker side of rock ‘n’ roll and the name fits the sound and overall image.
Interview conducted on Aug. 22, 2020
By Dan Locke
DEAD GIRLS ACADEMY immediately toured as support for Falling In Reverse, Motionless In White and Issues. Following their appearance on the 2018 Vans Warped Tour, DEAD GIRLS ACADEMY toured with the likes of POD and Alien Ant Farm, while also performing at America’s top festivals, including Welcome To Rockville, Spring Fling, Inkcarceration, Rock Fest, Epicenter Fest and Earthday Birthday,
Band Members
MICHAEL
CRAIG
ZACH
ALEX
What is your upbringing?
Michael Orlando: I was born in Staten Island, NY. My family later moved to Brooklyn. I spent my early years in the city until my parents divorced & I moved to Fort Lauderdale, FL. I spent my middle school years in FL. I later left to play Junior A Ice Hockey at a High school in Minnesota. The school catered to higher level players looking to play college or Pro. After leaving Minnesota & hockey I moved back to FL. This is when I got heavily into being in a band & playing live music. I saw more opportunity in Los Angeles & moved to Hollywood. So far, it’s been 15 years in LA. However, I have my eye on Las Vegas & will be moving there in a few weeks.
How did you discover music?
I’ve always had a love for music! My mother is responsible for introducing me to Michael Jackson, Prince, The Beatles, Phil Collins & The Doors. I’m pretty sure she was a low-key hippie back in the day haha. My first real taste of live music was at a Phil Collins concert in Florida. It honestly blew my mind.
How did you start to write music?
I discovered I could write music when I was 22. I was playing the bass at the time & idolized Pennywise, Green Day, & NIN. I guess it just happened one day! I was in the rehearsal studio & nobody was speaking up. So, I took the bull by the horns & started arranging the music. It all came very naturally to me. However, I didn’t start becoming a badass until I was in my 30’s.
How did you form your band?
DGA was formed in the summer of 2017. I had a ton of people telling me I needed to establish a fresh project with a new sound. I felt in my gut this was the right way to go! So, I followed that path. I ended up recording Alchemy with my past roommate / friend Ronnie Radke. It was a grueling process haha! I was so stuck in my personal box that recording & singing differently was hard to do! However, I feel everything happens for a reason! It’s been a rollercoaster ride & I couldn’t be happier with my decision!
What was your first performance like?
Well, my first performance under the DGA moniker was on the Falling In Reverse, MIW, Issues Tour in 2017! Pretty sure the first date was in AZ. It was a disaster to say the least lol!! Everything went wrong & it was quite a learning experience.
How the band did get its name?
I always wanted to name my band “DEAD ACADEMY” but it was taken!! I tried everything to convince the other band to let me take the name! But I was shut down! So, I went with the second option Dead Girls Academy! I’m actually happier with the DGA name now looking back at it. I love 3-word band names!
You have shared the stage with the likes of Falling in Reverse, Motionless in White, Issue, and John 5. Did they teach you anything about the music industry which you would like to share with our readers?
I think most readers don’t know that I’ve been in the music industry for 20 years! So, I had a ton of experience well before these tours. However, I can say it taught me to never tour without a “sound guy”… I mean this whole heartily! You’ll never reach your full potential as a band without a front of house guy dialing everything in!
Tell me a story or two about being part of the final Vans Warped Tour?
The final Vans Warped Tour was bittersweet! Kevin Lyman has always been an amazing person to me & I can’t thank him enough for that! DGA was on Warped building it’s fanbase during this time! We were establishing our sound & adjusting our live show! The best part of the final Warped was watching our stage grow bigger & bigger as the tour rolled on! We started with a couple hundred people & ended the tour with a few thousand! So that process definitely made it memorable for me!
Tell me about the video “This is War”? Is this the right video for these times?
I shot the video with my longtime friend Scott Hansen. We actually got lucky & knocked out the entire shoot in one day! This was crucial considering Covid-19 just started to make a negative impact in the US. I feel the video is absolutely what the world needs! The world needs more rock music & music with substance! I can’t think of a better battle cry then “This Is War”
How long before “Doves in Glass House”, is released?
We are currently trying to figure out the release date! I would assume 2020 tho!
Why that title?
My GF was talking shit on something & said Doves in blah blah blah…! I was like did you just say doves in glass houses?? She’s like NO, how did you even hear that! Haha, she is Scottish so sometimes I hear crazy shit. However, I loved the mistake so much I held onto it for a year! It has so many different meanings & to me it’s a vital message! We need to lift the veil under which we live. Break the cages of humanity & release your full potential.
What is your favorite track on the album?
So far, my favorite track on the album is “Addicted To Your Heart!” It just hits all the heart strings for me! It’s an insanely raw honest song!
How do you stay healthy while touring?
This is a great question!! Besides drinking copious amounts of Jack Daniels; I try to work out as much as I can! I always eat healthy on tour! I honestly try to stay super lean & avoid as much fast food as possible! Sleep is also crucial, but I am usually an insomniac when I tour on a bus!
What are your feelings about streaming music?
I feel it’s a necessary evil! Unfortunately, a lot of streaming services don’t pay very well. However, you just need to roll with the punches and push hard to get your music heard. I can say streaming has made music more accessible. That being said I am grateful for that!
Digital vs. vinyl?
Vinyl all day long! You can touch & feel Vinyl!! There’s something magical about it & establishes a real connection. You bought it, unwrapped it, opened it, looked at it, touched it, & then played it! It’s all a physical action before the record spins! It’s an exchange of energy!
Any plans to tour?
Yes, most definitely! Once this plague is over, I’ll be right back on the road! We are currently rescheduling a UK X EU Tour that got canceled because of COVID! As well as fests & more to come!!
What are your feelings about the social uprising going on in the United States?
Honestly, I rather not get political. However, I will say… the veil is slowly lifting!!
What song from the past is in your mind right now? And what is the meaning that song means to you?
I always have Heart’s “Alone” in my mind! That song makes me feel a certain way! So much passion in that song!
How do you feel the Covid-19 virus going to affect the music business in the future?
My whole world stopped! Touring Stopped! It’s a complete nightmare. I can only say people will be more cautious! However, once this vaccine is approved; I feel humanity will need a long vacation! I see a giant musical revolution coming! People do not like to be caged up & will need to let off steam! Music is that release for so many!
What have you been doing with your self-quarantine?
Besides waking up every day thinking I have the virus haha!!? I have wrapped my brain around making music! I was lucky enough to be recording through a lot of this down time & pushing DGA! So, besides music, I’ve been medicating my anxiety with Jack Daniels & Old Fashioned!
Have you discovered or rediscovered any new hobbies?
Haha, I have discovered my love for coffee! I used to get my coffee or should I say Lattes at coffee shops! Now I just wake up & head right to the kettle! I honestly don’t mind it & kinda prefer it now!
Lots of people are doing nightly concerts over either YouTube, Facebook, Twitter or Instagram. Are you planning to do something like that?
Yes, we are definitely planning something of that nature! However, nothing is planned quite yet! If I had to guess I’d say something like this would pop up closer to our album release.
Do you think it will be possible to make a living doing concerts this way?
I think anything is possible! However, this would take all the fun out of live music for me! The energy of the fans is what makes it special!
First it was an article in the New York Times, then Rolling Stones talked about it and finally Live Nation CEO said that concerts may not start again until fall of 2021. Do you think this could happen?
This will most definitely happen! We are looking at late 2021 until our return tour in the UK & EU! There’s so much that needs to be hashed out before regular touring begins again!
With Social Distance being the norm. Do you feel that it maybe the end of music fest for the next couple of years?
Nope! I feel fests will be back summer of 2021! However, there is too much speculation & here say to say exactly when in 2021!
What about Holographic concerts in our living room?
I mean that sounds like a movie to me haha! If that happens that would be pretty cool! I guess we will wait till Elon makes that happen. I have seen those Holograms in a live setting before & they are super realistic!
How do you see yourself in the next five years?
I see myself playing arenas with a personal bartender making me old fashioned from side stage! If this doesn’t happen, I definitely failed at life lol!
Anything you would like to say in closing?
I just want to say thank you to all my fans, friends, & family for supporting me! Thank you to Mission 2 Entertainment for believing in me! Great things to come! Just gotta have faith in rock n’ roll!!
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