Born from the frustration of classical music’s cutthroat, integrity-compromising industry, Sex-O-Rama is a satirical “Porn-Funk” band that has become a pop culture phenomenon. Formed by Carvin Knowles and collaborator Adam Pike after a disillusioning encounter with a conductor who suggested selling out for success, the duo joined forces with Oglio Records to create a humorous and rebellious take on 1970s adult film music. Their music, brimming with parody and sharp social commentary, challenges taboos while infusing humor into cultural critiques.
From their very first track, Sex-O-Rama—with their outrageous personas and funky grooves—captured the attention of the public, with their work even making its way into the iconic teen film American Pie. Despite boycotts and personal upheavals, their albums pushed boundaries and sparked debates, remaining a powerful voice in mocking conservative societal norms. With a legacy built on satire, humor, and irresistible funk, Sex-O-Rama continues to evolve, capturing the strange crossroads of cultural shifts and societal critique.
Knowles says, “From the very beginning, in the late 1990s, Sex-O-Rama has always been a kind of postmodernist prank. It’s not as if we didn’t leave clues around. Our claim to have been the “house band” for the “Adult Film Industry” in the 1970s should have been a big clue, since it was very well known that Frank Zappa and The Mothers of Invention earned that title, and we were clearly not Zappa’s band. But people still believed it, and they reacted with outrage to our funky grooves.”
Their latest album, ‘Sex-O-Rama 5: Invaders from the Pleasure Planet’ (out March 2025), pays homage to the experimental and bold spirit of the 1980s. A time marked by synths, parachute pants, and the rise of adult film production in the San Fernando Valley, this album brings back the funky, risqué soundscapes of the era. Six tracks are digitally remastered originals, while others are re-recorded using vintage instruments for an authentic, retro feel. Highlights include sci-fi-inspired cuts like ‘Invaders from the Pleasure Planet’ and ‘Virtual Reality Vixens’, as well as experimental pieces like ‘Whips and Chains’, which challenges harmonic norms, and ‘Brats in the Boudoir’, a cheeky pop-culture parody.
Knowles, explains, “Our fifth album is an epic journey through the 1980s. We had all asked the question, what would THOSE GUYS have done in the 1980s? What was the world like for porn musicians in the age of the New Wave? And what do people think porn music sounded like back then? Once again, I wove together elements from the real thing with styles and sonic textures from the 1980s. The rest of the band got out all their original 80s gear and recorded a masterpiece of a double-album. For this one, there were another six tracks that I had written for us over 20 years ago. But the rest was a marathon of composition. In the middle of the recording sessions, I ended up in the hospital for a week with a heart attack. All the while we all joked about what kind of pornos might be set in a hospital. Adam Pike came up with the idea for a track called “Wet Nurse.” He co-wrote that one. It still makes me laugh.”
With ‘Invaders from the Pleasure Planet’, Sex-O-Rama proves that their mix of humor, boundary-pushing grooves, and subversive commentary is as potent as ever—inviting listeners to get lost in the pleasure, the planet, and the parody.
“With all of the very explicit music out there in pop music and hip-hop, it amazes all of us that people are still offended by our music, that we still manage to ignite peoples’ filthiest imagination with (mostly) nothing but instrumental music.” states Knowles. “We continue to troll the Karens of society. After all this time, I’m happy to lead THOSE GUYS in offending the easily offended.”
Stream “Bang Bang Bang Bang” here:
Now in our 32nd year, Oglio has achieved worldwide recognition as a successful niche marketer of entertainment products. Oglio releases have received acclaim and significant sales success including a Billboard Top 50 hit, and projects with Parry Gripp, Smash Mouth featuring DMC and Kool Keith, Brian Wilson (The Beach Boys), Cyndi Lauper, Robby Krieger (The Doors), Ray Manzarek (The Doors), Nerf Herder, Kool Keith, Ultramagnetic MCs, Rob Schneider, Jackie “The Joke Man” Martling (Howard Stern Show), Andy Dick, Craig Gass, and George Lopez. Oglio’s growth has been significant enough to earn a position on Inc. Magazine’s listing of the 500 fastest growing companies in America.
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