Space Rock


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    Taking drugs to make music to take drugs to...

    —The motto of Spacemen 3, the Trope Codifiers for the genre

    Describe Space Rock here. Okay...

    Space Rock is a genre of Indie Rock or Alternative Rock with stylistic similarities to Psychedelic Rock and early Electronic Music, characterized by lengthy instrumental passages and lyrics inspired by science fiction, astronomy and space travel, often drug-oriented or -influenced. It features slow-to-mid-tempos, Psychedelic and Prog influences, and droning or heavily reverbed guitars (well, actually, just heavy reverb in general). In addition to the above, many other influences can be found in the sounds of the various bands as well -- Shoegazing, Dream Pop, Noise Rock, Noise Pop, Krautrock, Ambient, Electronica, etc.

    The style was born in the UK underground scene in The Sixties, and the earliest exponent of space rock was the British independent Record Producer Joe Meek. Enamoured of the idea of space exploration and life on other planets, Meek produced the Concept Album I Hear A New World in 1959, which he explained was intended to, "Create a picture in music of what could be up there in outer space." Meek's fascination with the subject also came through on the Tornados recording "Telstar", the first British single to reach the top of the American charts.

    The sound of the genre was developed in the 70s by the early recordings of Pink Floyd and The Pink Fairies, and David Bowie's hit single "Space Oddity". Arguably the most influential space rock group was Hawkwind, who became popular in The Seventies and frequently collaborated with the science-fiction/fantasy writer Michael Moorcock. It was at this time that the term "Space Rock" itself emerged, coined to refer to this evolving combination of distinct sound and "cosmic" themes which are now considered archetypal of the genre and its roots. However, by the late 80s the early pioneers of Space Rock had disbanded and/or moved on to different sounds, and the genre seemed to have died.

    However, by the mid-late 80s, new groups, such as Spacemen 3 and Loop, took over and revitalized the Space Rock. The droning sound was an influence on the Shoegazing scene as well (and bands such as The Verve and Spiritualized blur the lines between the genres somewhat), and gained an underground following in the 90s. Bands such as Radiohead (pre-Kid A, and especially on OK Computer) helped push the genre closer to the mainstream, and more recent (and heavily Radiohead-influenced) bands such as Muse and (arguably) Coldplay brought a more accessible form of it into the mainstream.

    There is a considerable overlap between this genre and Post Rock (much of which is influenced by this genre), as well as between Space Rock and other related genres such Shoegazing, Dream Pop, Noise Pop, Noise Rock (another influence on Space Rock) and Psychedelic Rock. As well, a few bands combine it with Progressive Rock or Heavy Metal.

    Space Rock continues to influence contemporary groups, often in the independent music scene. Modern bands who cite space rock as influences include Radiohead, Muse, The Mars Volta and 30 Seconds To Mars.

    Bands commonly classified as Space Rock:

    • Asha Vida
    • Bardo Pond
    • Caustic Resin
    • Chapterhouse (also a Shoegazing band)
    • Coldplay (though Your Mileage May Vary)
    • Darkside
    • Flying Saucer Attack
    • Fuxa
    • Godspeed You! Black Emperor (overlaps with Post Rock)
    • Lilys
    • Loop (sometimes also classified as Shoegazing)
    • Miss Bliss
    • Mogwai (could also be considered Post Rock)
    • Muse (heavier than most, but arguably still an example)
    • Quickspace
    • Radial Spangle
    • Radiohead (especially on OK Computer)
    • Spacemen 3 (Trope Codifier at least, possibly the Trope Maker)
    • Spectrum
    • Spiritualized
    • The Verve (started off Shoegazing, before changing their sound a bit. Never stopped being this though.)
    • Windy & Carl

    Progenitors (of sorts) include:

    • Can
    • Flaming Youth
    • Gong
    • Hawkwind
    • Neu!
    • The Pink Fairies
    • Pink Floyd
    • Tangerine Dream (at times)
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