Ten years ago, then-Penn State film student Caeser Pink began The Imperial Orgy, a diverse multimedia music group that incorporates theatre, film, costumes, video art projection, dance and audience interaction into its act. The group bounced onto the scene expressing views on politics, race, religion and sexuality through its shows in a controversial way that infatuated some and shocked others.

The Imperial Orgy returns to its original stomping grounds at 10:30 p.m. Saturday with a performance at Café 210 West, 210 W. College Ave.

"The attitude for us is anything goes," frontman Caeser Pink said. "The music is about freedom. We take all kinds of music from punk and funk to jazz and cram it all together. It's theatre and dance -- it's whatever we want to do, but also whatever gets the message out."

In 1995, many in State College didn't share an "anything goes" attitude with The Imperial Orgy. According to the group's soon-to-be-released documentary DVD, Our Daily Bread, many of Orgy's performances were cancelled because of negative reactions from some Christian groups and women's studies groups that disapproved of its dramatic means of expression. University officials even banned the group from displaying posters. Others connected with the performance. The documentary describes the audience as "insane" and as having an almost "riot-like excitement."

"I think the people that have an adverse reaction to our performance don't look at it very closely," Pink said. "We touch on serious issues and have powerful songs and some people look at it without thinking about it and get upset. People have reacted to sexual or racial elements of the show without looking at what we're saying."

After a year of playing at parties and bars, including Café 210 West and Crowbar, 420 E. College Ave., some members of the group uprooted, moving to New York City, and new members were added to the mix. Although Pink said playing in the city is great, he feels hitting small towns like State College is more effective.

"We feel it's more important to play outside of big cities because in a city we're playing to the converted and there's no wall against ideas. In some smaller towns there is not an alternative voice."

Guitarist Tony Coque, who joined the group in 1997, said its message is an important one.

"We have a very positive message even though sometimes it may seem like a negative one," Coque said. "Our music is social commentary. The 'orgy' part of the name isn't necessarily sexual. It's about the human experience."

Bassist Kighkey DeyGogh said the performance is about getting people to think and getting a reaction.

"It's about getting people to be aware," DeyGogh said. "If a song or message gets a person angry, that's good because it means they're thinking and feeling. Whether audience members agree or not, we want to at least make them think.

Singer Angelica-Lee Aspiras is new to the group. She said the groups' message is important and doesn't hold anything back.

"I think it puts everything out there," Aspiras said.

"The public accepts decisions made by politicians and some people don't realize they can be challenged. We point out what's going wrong but in a non-evasive and balanced way to let people know they're being brainwashed and that they have options."

Although Orgy is putting some serious issues out there, it wants to remind audiences that rock 'n' roll is about having fun.

"Our music is introspective in a way that is fun but it also raises your conscientiousness," Pink said.

The group is looking forward to coming back to town.

"Part of the reason we come back here is for fun -- to see friends, come home -- but we are really here to express ideas that don't get to be expressed that often."