Space Rock and Related
My top ten spacerock (or at least otherworldly) bands and artists.
Hawkwind
When I think of spacerock, I think of Hawkwind and, to me, they set the standard to which I compare all other spacerock. They kicked Lemmy out the band, allowing him to create the mighty Motorhead, but not before recording several amazing albums with him. In fact, the song “Motorhead” was written for Hawkwind.
Their discography is daunting to the novice, but I’d say that their first six albums (the latter four including Lemmy) are essential listening. The true beginner may want to start with the live Space Ritual, though. Forget not liking live albums because it doesn’t sound live. In fact, Jello Biafra told me in an interview for Under the Volcano that it was his favorite album next to The Stooges‘ Funhouse. Also, John Lydon was such a huge fan, The Sex Pistols covered “Silver Machine” on their last tour!
How’s that for an endorsement?
Heldon
My dad got me into this mostly-instrumental French space prog band and the solo albums of the leader, Richard Pinhas. Pinhas is one of my favorite guitarists, right beside Greg Ginn. Actually, I secretly think Pinhas was a big influence on Ginn, though I’ve never had a chance to ask.
My favorite album of theirs is the powerful Standby. It still gives me chills.
Sun Ra
Not rock, but space jazz and my all-time favorite jazz composer. You should know who he is by now, but if you don’t, do a web search, read up on him and then blow a ton of money on all his albums. (I own more CDs by Sun Ra than anyone else. It was somewhere in the mid-60s at last count – a full 20 over my Stooges/*Iggy Pop* collection!)
Chrome
They rose alongside the San Francisco punk scene but, like The Residents, were never really part of it. Together, Damon Edge and Helios Creed made some amazing music, kind of spaced-out industrial punk metal rock. Really, Chome music is a classification all its own.
I listen to Half Machine Lip Moves most, but Blood on the Moon and Third from the Sun are also stellar albums.
Klaus Schulze
My dad practically raised me on Schulze’s music. After drumming on both Ash Ra Tempel‘s and Tangerine Dream’s first albums, he embarked on a remarkable solo career that is still vibrant today. His music is electronic composition, kind of like an alternative classical music made by synthesizers. It was also an obvious influence on later electronic dance music.
The two Body Love volumes, music he did for a German art porno, are Schulze at his pulsing best.
Helios Creed
After separating from Damon Edge, Helios Creed went solo. While his music isn’t quite the spastic genius of Chrome, it was my introduction to spacerock when I first heard it at the age of 14 and I still enjoy his garage-y take on space punk. Plus, he can make a guitar sound like nothing on this planet.
I listen to different Helios Creed albums depending on my mood, but Lactating Purple is probably a good place to start, or Kiss to the Brain if you’re feeling more punkified.
Six Finger Satellite
Hailing from Providence, RI, 6FS combined Chrome, Big Black and The Birthday Party into a potent cocktail of science fiction psychosis.
Severe Exposure and Law of Ruins are my favorites here, though the two recent releases have been on an equal standing with anything they did in the past.
The Secret Machines
I actually found out about this band when I was checking out MTV to see what was going on in the mass music industry. I saw the video for “Nowhere Again” and was astounded that a band clearly influenced by Neu! was on MTV. I ran out and bought their debut full-length, Now Here Is Nowhere, and I’ve been a big fan since.
I love their three albums equally, but the last self-titled one really blew me away.
Man or Astro-man?
I saw them numerous times during the ’90s and had a lot of fun every time (except on the Clone Tour, where they essentially sent out a sub-par cover band to play their songs as their “clones.” I wanted my money back after that one.)
Experiment Zero, 1000x and Made from Technitium are my favorite spacey surf rock albums.
Tangerine Dream
Another band my dad played a lot when I was a kid. Lately, I’ve been rediscovering their first ten albums. The first one is acid-fueled krautrock, but the following three albums are textured electronic soundscapes. It wasn’t until they signed to Virgin and released Phaedra in 1974 that their distinctive pulsing electronic sound emerged.
Of their albums, I like the first one, Electronic Meditation and the six albums from Phaedra to Cyclone the best.
