Orgy, Spineshank
Vapor Transmission North America Tour 2001
February 23, 2001
Toad Holler, Des Moines, Iowa
Words and photos by Adam Tibbott
Kodak film photos digitally restored and edited from original negatives.
Sometimes the most remarkable concerts are the ones that almost didn’t happen. Some shows are memorable because of the music. Others become unforgettable because they mark the beginning of a journey. For me, this was one of those nights.
On a cold winter night in February, Orgy arrived in Des Moines, touring in support of Vapor Transmission, their sophomore album that showcased the band’s continued evolution beyond the platinum success of Candyass. It had been nearly two years since their Iowa debut at Mancow’s Lazer Luau II 1999 performance. Originally, this show was scheduled to take place at Super Toad Entertainment Center, but after the venue unexpectedly closed, the concert was quickly relocated to the newly opened Toad Holler. In an interesting twist of fate, this became the very first concert held at Toad Holler during the venue’s all too brief time.
This last-minute show marked an important milestone for me. It was one of the first concerts I photographed after receiving official media credentials. Up until then, I was still finding my footing as a concert photographer, and walking into a venue packed with nearly 500 fans was both exciting and intimidating. With Toad Holler operating near capacity, the energy inside the room was anxiety inducing. Still shooting with KODAK film on a point-and-shoot camera, every shot had to count. Sometimes the hardest part of photographing a concert is getting the shot while staying out of the audience’s way.
Joining Orgy on the tour was Spineshank, riding the momentum of The Height of Callousness. Their aggressive blend of industrial metal and nu-metal proved to be the perfect complement to Orgy’s polished, electronic-infused sound, making for a lineup that reflected the changing landscape of heavy music in the early 2000s. Spineshank set the tone early with an intense performance that hinted at the success they would soon achieve as one of the standout acts of the nu-metal era. Their raw energy proved to be the perfect opener, leaving the crowd primed for Orgy’s headline set.
Orgy were arguably at the height of their popularity during this tour. Their stage production embraced the sleek, futuristic aesthetic that had become synonymous with the band, while Jay Gordon’s commanding presence kept the crowd engaged from beginning to end. Songs from Vapor Transmission blended seamlessly with fan favorites from Candyass, giving longtime fans plenty to cheer for while introducing newer material that showcased the band’s continued musical growth.
Looking back more than two decades later, this concert represents much more than another stop on a tour. It reminds me of what it felt like to be at the beginning of my passion project as a photographer, learning in real time, adapting to challenging environments, and discovering the confidence that would eventually come with years spent photographing live music. It’s also a snapshot of a unique moment in rock history, when industrial rock, electronic influences, and nu-metal intersected at their commercial peak.
