Orpheus was inspired by a Jack Kerouac on the road experience, similar to that of the film Y Tu Mama Tambien.
I wrote it after watching this Mexican movie where these two kids go on this road trip with this girl, it's a rights of passage kind of thing.
Additionally, it is also inspired by a screen test Tim had a couple of years ago to play the Ewan McGregor part in 2001's 'Moulin Rouge!'.
"Orpheus" has been described by Ash's bassist, Mark Hamilton, as being "Chilli Peppers meet The Doors, Sabbath and well.. us".
Originally, the song was less complicated, and was missing its mid-song breakdown and intersection, but, despite the record label's pleas, it was included.
Mark has described it as "a 9½ minute epic which goes on a music oddessy, covers every genre from '4 to the Floor Handbag' to Sonic Youth spaz outs and kraut rock".
It's basically a car chase across the desert with two bandits trying to run us off the road, total Wacky Racers stuff.