Oh god of man and slime
― Ned Raggett, Monday, 29 September 2008 19:56 (fifteen years ago) link
so just how is that Captain Memphis thing?...it seems to have been roundly ignored, which is odd given the whos, the whats and the wheres of the project...
― henry s, Monday, 29 September 2008 20:39 (fifteen years ago) link
so just how is that Captain Memphis thing?
It's OK. It's got a great rural, falling-apart sound to it.
― Elvis Telecom, Monday, 29 September 2008 21:06 (fifteen years ago) link
I forget just how brutal of a rhythm guitarist Sonic can be. Great show last night and finally happy to see "How You Satisfy Me" in the set list.
Yes, this was great at ATP as well. Also did "Revolution," which surprised me. Hadn't heard that one the last couple times he's been through Austin. Is he playing "Revolution" at every show?
― ilxor, Tuesday, 30 September 2008 02:20 (fifteen years ago) link
s he playing "Revolution" at every show?
I think so. The set list went something like:
MaryTransparent RadiationSet Me FreeHow You Satisfy MeWhen Tomorrow HitsRevolutionWar Sucks (Red Krayola cover)Suicide
(think I'm missing a couple though)
― Elvis Telecom, Tuesday, 30 September 2008 03:47 (fifteen years ago) link
Yeah, that looks almost exactly like the ATP setlist.
― ilxor, Wednesday, 1 October 2008 01:54 (fifteen years ago) link
War Sucks (Red Krayola cover)
AWESOME
― sleeve, Wednesday, 1 October 2008 02:20 (fifteen years ago) link
Here's a small clip. Wish there was some stage lighting...
― Elvis Telecom, Wednesday, 1 October 2008 04:25 (fifteen years ago) link
After seeing Spectrum in a larger hall with a decent sound system I now appreciate how Sonic makes those minute changes on amps in the middle of the songs. I've always suspected that the most important effect pedal in Spacemen 3 are the volume and tone controls on the amp and it's great to be able to hear that.
Guess there's something to that Whizzer box that Neil Young uses.
― Chris Barrus (Elvis Telecom), Friday, 3 October 2008 18:18 (fifteen years ago) link
Evie Sands - "I Can't Let Go"
This is from the One Kiss Can Lead To Another: Girl Group Sounds, Lost & Found box set.
I mention this because about 80% of the prime melodies of Spectrum's "How You Satisfy Me" (all the good ones) come directly from this song.
Currently tracing the origins of "I Can't Let Go"
― soyrizo headache (Mackro Mackro), Saturday, 27 December 2008 03:49 (fifteen years ago) link
ok, allmusic is timing out like crazy so I'll copy and post here
I CAN'T LET GOAl Gorgoni/Chip Taylor Song Review by Richie Unterberger "I Can't Let Go" was one of several excellent pop-rock hits for the Hollies in the mid-1960s, making #2 in Britain, though it wasn't so big in the US, stopping just outside the Top Forty. Like many fine British Invasion recordings, it was actually a cover of a song that had originated in the Brill Building songwriting factory. As first recorded in a non-hit single in late 1965 by Evie Sands, "I Can't Let Go" was a fine blend of soul, pop, and the Brill Building. It started with a low throbbing bass line, the girl group element coming in with some backup woman vocals. The song is rather like the kind of pop-soul being ground out at Motown at the time, but with a somewhat more mature sensual perspective. Sands had quite a low voice for a woman singer, at least on the verses, where she sang with a fetching yet adult vulnerability. On the chorus, though, she exhibited some extraordinary range, going into a real high whooping note at the end. It would have been a quite worthy hit single, but it wasn't, leaving the path clear for the Hollies to cover the song when the group's guitarist Tony Hicks came across it in the office of renowned British music publisher Dick James. The Hollies actually stuck pretty close to Sands's arrangement, except for making it more guitar-oriented, upping the tempo a little, and adding some busier and brasher British Invasion harmonies. Graham Nash took the high harmony part on the chorus, singing so high in fact that Paul McCartney reportedly mistook it for a trumpet. On both versions, the main body of the song was effectively broken up by a mini-bridge of sorts where the throbbing low bass guitar of the intro returns, and the singers vocalize tensely about being unable to say goodbye. On the Hollies' version, this is followed by a characteristically ringing guitar break. Another neat touch on the Hollies' version is how a couple of catchy, sharply descending chords follow the repeated singing of the title phrase on the fadeout. The song would be revived in 1980 by Linda Ronstadt on her album Mad Love.
Al Gorgoni/Chip Taylor Song Review by Richie Unterberger "I Can't Let Go" was one of several excellent pop-rock hits for the Hollies in the mid-1960s, making #2 in Britain, though it wasn't so big in the US, stopping just outside the Top Forty. Like many fine British Invasion recordings, it was actually a cover of a song that had originated in the Brill Building songwriting factory. As first recorded in a non-hit single in late 1965 by Evie Sands, "I Can't Let Go" was a fine blend of soul, pop, and the Brill Building. It started with a low throbbing bass line, the girl group element coming in with some backup woman vocals. The song is rather like the kind of pop-soul being ground out at Motown at the time, but with a somewhat more mature sensual perspective. Sands had quite a low voice for a woman singer, at least on the verses, where she sang with a fetching yet adult vulnerability. On the chorus, though, she exhibited some extraordinary range, going into a real high whooping note at the end. It would have been a quite worthy hit single, but it wasn't, leaving the path clear for the Hollies to cover the song when the group's guitarist Tony Hicks came across it in the office of renowned British music publisher Dick James. The Hollies actually stuck pretty close to Sands's arrangement, except for making it more guitar-oriented, upping the tempo a little, and adding some busier and brasher British Invasion harmonies. Graham Nash took the high harmony part on the chorus, singing so high in fact that Paul McCartney reportedly mistook it for a trumpet. On both versions, the main body of the song was effectively broken up by a mini-bridge of sorts where the throbbing low bass guitar of the intro returns, and the singers vocalize tensely about being unable to say goodbye. On the Hollies' version, this is followed by a characteristically ringing guitar break. Another neat touch on the Hollies' version is how a couple of catchy, sharply descending chords follow the repeated singing of the title phrase on the fadeout. The song would be revived in 1980 by Linda Ronstadt on her album Mad Love.
Haven't heard The Hollies' version yet. I need to take care of that.
― soyrizo headache (Mackro Mackro), Saturday, 27 December 2008 04:19 (fifteen years ago) link
So, uh, Spectrum at Sonic Cathedral on Friday - anyone else going?
The full band line up has been really really good on the recent tour. (So long as it doesn't take them 2 hours to set up again, as per usual.)
― Baby, Your Phasing Is Bad (Masonic Boom), Tuesday, 24 February 2009 11:40 (fifteen years ago) link
wow - i would love to see them again
― Tracer Hand, Tuesday, 24 February 2009 11:44 (fifteen years ago) link
They're on in Oxford tonight, except I forgot, and now I can't go. http://www.wegottickets.com/event/44202 for Oxford, anyhow.
I can't remember if what I saw last year (Sonic Boom + full band) was billed as Spectrum or S. Boom.
― a passing spacecadet, Tuesday, 24 February 2009 11:53 (fifteen years ago) link
By which I mean, is it likely to be the same band to what I saw last summer at the Sonic Cathedrals stage at Truck festival, or a different band? The set last year started off very nicely with a big throbbing synth number, but I liked the full band tracks less.
― a passing spacecadet, Tuesday, 24 February 2009 11:55 (fifteen years ago) link
That Oxford set which I was not at was reportedly a) ace and b) full of Spacemen 3 songs. Oh well...
― a passing spacecadet, Wednesday, 25 February 2009 14:24 (fifteen years ago) link
I don't think it's the same line up as at Truck last year. I think it's the Jason-alike that he had with him at the last London Sonic Cathedral shows - which was actually really good. (Would I say if they weren't? Erm... I have no judgement when it comes to Sonic but no, seriously, it was very enjoyable from a "sounds like Spacemen" POV.)
I have emailed Carruthers to see if he will be there, but he's ignoring me. Which probably means he'll slope in at the last minute, stand at the back and try to cadge drinks off me, heh heh. <3 <3 <3
Oh god, though, I heard the most awful rumour (well, for me, at least - some people may get very excited about this) about what SPECIAL GUESTS may be appearing with him.
For once, the special guests are NOT ULRICH SCHNAUSS... (hurrah!)
It's someone much more MICROPROG which should make me happy, but, erm...
― Sneaky Sneaky Prog Friend (Masonic Boom), Wednesday, 25 February 2009 16:16 (fifteen years ago) link
Spectrum + MGMT on "Suicide"
― Chris Barrus (Elvis Telecom), Wednesday, 11 March 2009 23:03 (fifteen years ago) link
whoah
― One of the Most High Profile Comedy Directors of the 90s (Shakey Mo Collier), Wednesday, 11 March 2009 23:09 (fifteen years ago) link
Ugh, who documented that abomination.
I was hoping to erase MGMT from that night if it was at all possible.
― Dances With Psychedelic Owls (Masonic Boom), Wednesday, 11 March 2009 23:17 (fifteen years ago) link
Also, only 6 minutes? They played it for at least half an hour.
And again... "Finsbury Park"? Tufnell Park, more like! But then again, all of North London looks the same to me.
― Dances With Psychedelic Owls (Masonic Boom), Wednesday, 11 March 2009 23:18 (fifteen years ago) link
i saw the ropers cover this live once, seems like it sounded better than that.
― keythkeythkeyth, Wednesday, 11 March 2009 23:26 (fifteen years ago) link
Spectrum back in the states
Apr 23 2009 Kung Fu Necktie Philadelphia
Apr 24 2009 Sonar Baltimore
Apr 26 2009 The Mercury Lounge New York
Apr 28 2009 Middle East Upstairs Boston
Apr 30 2009 The Andy Warhol Museum Pittsburgh
May 1 2009 The Dark Room Chicago
May 2 2009 Neumos Seattle
May 4 2009 Doug Fir Lounge Portland
May 6 2009 Coopers Nevada City
May 7 2009 Great American Music Hall San Francisco
May 8 2009 The Echo Los Angeles
May 11 2009 The Casbah San Diego
― Chris Barrus (Elvis Telecom), Monday, 6 April 2009 08:23 (fifteen years ago) link
Did anyone go to the SF show at Great American last night? I have a partial setlist:
MaryTransparent RadiationSet Me FreeHow You Satisfy MeChe (so good!)When Tomorrow Hits
They played a few more songs including the "War Sucks" cover and (I'm pretty sure) "Revolution", plus two encores, but to be honest I got kinda caught up in the drone and the visuals towards the end and lost track. It was my first time (finally) seeing Spectrum live and was surprised by how good they were. The sound was perfect and the band was really tight. The visuals would have been fantastic if maybe taken a little more seriously: some great 8-bit-style computer effects, a running cat silhouette, a flying owl, and lots of swirls...
― Reassuring Drops, Saturday, 9 May 2009 00:10 (fourteen years ago) link
Sounds like a pretty typical setlist. I remember seeing "Transparent Radiation," "How You Satisfy Me," "When Tomorrow Hits" and "Revolution" all three times I've seen Spectrum over the past two years or so. That's not to complain as you're right, they put on a great show. Very easy to zone out and lose track of time and drift away...
― I just wish he hadn't adopted the "ilxor" moniker (ilxor), Saturday, 9 May 2009 03:55 (fourteen years ago) link
Did he play "Suicide" too? One of my favorite live moments.
― I just wish he hadn't adopted the "ilxor" moniker (ilxor), Saturday, 9 May 2009 03:58 (fourteen years ago) link
saw him in williamsburg, very similar setlist to his opening slot for MBV last summer.
― (*゚ー゚)θ L(。・_・) °~ヾ(・ε・ *) (Steve Shasta), Saturday, 9 May 2009 04:40 (fourteen years ago) link
is the war sucks ep any good?
― keythkeythkeyth, Saturday, 9 May 2009 16:43 (fourteen years ago) link
I ordered it a few weeks ago, hasn't arrived yet.
― I just wish he hadn't adopted the "ilxor" moniker (ilxor), Saturday, 9 May 2009 23:23 (fourteen years ago) link
MGMT made an appearance at the Echo show joining in on "Suicide" and a cover of Devo's "Mongoloid" (!)
― Carroll Shelby Downard (Elvis Telecom), Sunday, 10 May 2009 04:07 (fourteen years ago) link
Spectrum playing live on WFMU right now.http://wfmu.org/playlists/shows/31616
― dad a, Thursday, 28 May 2009 20:47 (fourteen years ago) link
Wow. I'm really surprised by the War Sucks EP. It's such a heavy, sleazy psychedelic rocker! I didn't know he still wanted to do stuff like this, at least not on record, but this EP kicks ass.
― Gerard (Le Bateau Ivre), Monday, 29 June 2009 09:28 (fourteen years ago) link
It's the new live band that he's got. They really kick it.
― Violent In Design (Masonic Boom), Monday, 29 June 2009 09:29 (fourteen years ago) link
I'll say! It's a shame he's not on European mainland some more (he's gigging mostly in US and UK, right?), would love to see him perform this stuff. I saw him once in his Forever Alien period, but that was something entirely different.
― Gerard (Le Bateau Ivre), Monday, 29 June 2009 09:37 (fourteen years ago) link
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eoJFpkQDgvs
this never fails me. shivers. (thanks so much for 'recurring' gerard, feels ages ago!)
― willem, Tuesday, 24 November 2009 20:53 (fourteen years ago) link
I suppose this was inevitable
http://matrixsynth.blogspot.com/2008/05/sonic-boom-and-his-ems-synthi-aks.htmlhttp://www.flickr.com/photos/matrixsynth/sets/72157604842778288/
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3083/2458954891_e36aed1ef5.jpg
― Elvis Telecom, Monday, 21 December 2009 07:50 (fourteen years ago) link
*drugs sold separately
― happy christmas your ass (electricsound), Monday, 21 December 2009 07:55 (fourteen years ago) link
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
omg want!
especially the toy putney - i think i want a toy putney more than life itself
― Karen Tregaskin, Monday, 21 December 2009 10:45 (fourteen years ago) link
New tour, single and album on the way... (NME link so the MGMT link is played up)
Spectrum, the band helmed by MGMT collaborator Pete 'Sonic Boom' Kember', have announced details of a UK and European tour for March and April.Kember worked with MGMT on their forthcoming album 'Congratulations' after meeting Andrew Van Wyngarden and Ben Goldwasser in London last year. Both were big fans of Kember's previous band, legendary '80s drone-rockers Spacemen 3.Spectrum, who release new single 'Words May Shatter' in April and a new album later in the year, will kick off the gig run at the Moho Live in Manchester on March 14.Spectrum will play:Manchester, Moho Live (March 14)Sheffield, Harley (15)Brighton, Freebutt (16)London, Sonic Cathedral @ The Luminaire (17)Utrecht, DB's Studio (19)Diksmuide, 4AD Muzikeclub (20)Rouen, Emporium Galorium (23)Lyon, Le Sonic's (25)Paris, Le Point Ephemere (26)Lausanne, Theatre 2.21 (27)Frankfurt, Nachtleben (29)Koln, Sonic Ballroom (30)Brussels, VK Club (31)Turin, Spazio 211 (April 2)Marseille, L'Embobineuse (3)
Kember worked with MGMT on their forthcoming album 'Congratulations' after meeting Andrew Van Wyngarden and Ben Goldwasser in London last year. Both were big fans of Kember's previous band, legendary '80s drone-rockers Spacemen 3.
Spectrum, who release new single 'Words May Shatter' in April and a new album later in the year, will kick off the gig run at the Moho Live in Manchester on March 14.
Spectrum will play:
Manchester, Moho Live (March 14)Sheffield, Harley (15)Brighton, Freebutt (16)London, Sonic Cathedral @ The Luminaire (17)Utrecht, DB's Studio (19)Diksmuide, 4AD Muzikeclub (20)Rouen, Emporium Galorium (23)Lyon, Le Sonic's (25)Paris, Le Point Ephemere (26)Lausanne, Theatre 2.21 (27)Frankfurt, Nachtleben (29)Koln, Sonic Ballroom (30)Brussels, VK Club (31)Turin, Spazio 211 (April 2)Marseille, L'Embobineuse (3)
― Elvis Telecom, Friday, 12 February 2010 05:48 (fourteen years ago) link
MGMT collaborator... so it's come to this.
― international slackness (GOTT PUNCH II HAWKWINDZ), Friday, 12 February 2010 08:11 (fourteen years ago) link
It's the NME.
Utrecht, yay!
― willem, Friday, 12 February 2010 08:28 (fourteen years ago) link
Diksmuide, 4AD Muzikeclub
...hold on.
― Ned Raggett, Friday, 12 February 2010 15:28 (fourteen years ago) link
Spectrum, the band helmed by MGMT collaborator Pete 'Sonic Boom' Kember'
Is this what the world is coming to...?
― I just wish he hadn't adopted the "ilxor" moniker (ilxor), Friday, 12 February 2010 15:43 (fourteen years ago) link
Buried under the lead in http://www.sonic-boom.info/news.php is this...
re-issues of the 1st 3 Sonic Boom/Spectrum discs....... starting with 'Sonic Boom Spectrum' on Space Age Records in March.
― Stockhausen's Helicopter Quartet (Elvis Telecom), Friday, 19 November 2010 19:05 (thirteen years ago) link
goddam, I get my hopes up for that new album every time this thread gets bumped..
― the 'Friends' experiment (Pillbox), Friday, 19 November 2010 20:18 (thirteen years ago) link
New year, new tour
04/14 – Baltimore, MD – Sonar04/15 – Philadelphia, PA – North Star Bar04/16 – New York, NY – Le Poisson Rouge04/17 – Brooklyn, NY – Music Hall of Williamsburg04/19 – Boston, MA – The Church04/20 – Chicago, IL – The Bottom Lounge04/21 – Seattle, WA – Chop Suey04/23 – San Francisco, CA – The Hemlock04/24 – Oakland, CA – The New Parish04/25 – San Jose, CA – The Blank Club04/27 – San Diego, CA – Soda Bar04/28 – Los Angeles, CA – The Troubadour04/29 – Dallas, TX – Sons of Herman Hall04/30 – Austin, TX – Austin Psych Fest
― Stockhausen's Ekranoplan Quartet (Elvis Telecom), Tuesday, 1 March 2011 06:56 (thirteen years ago) link
Posted as it's apparently a news story now: Do musicians ever deserve to be jeered off stage? Sonic Boom was treated to a hail of boos at Koko on Tuesday. His crime? Not being familiar to the young crowd
― Stockhausen's Ekranoplan Quartet (Elvis Telecom), Thursday, 23 February 2012 18:49 (twelve years ago) link
pearls before swine etc
― erotic war comedy pollster (Shakey Mo Collier), Thursday, 23 February 2012 18:51 (twelve years ago) link
Quite.
― Ned Raggett, Thursday, 23 February 2012 18:51 (twelve years ago) link
during the encore they joined each other on stage to perform the Spacemen 3 songs Hey Man and Amen.
um...
― sleeve, Thursday, 23 February 2012 19:48 (twelve years ago) link
Hush now, you'll spoil the effect.
― Ned Raggett, Thursday, 23 February 2012 20:46 (twelve years ago) link
Diggin this review of the show last week
― Elvis Telecom, Tuesday, 21 August 2012 09:59 (eleven years ago) link
It says quite a lot about the changes in my lifestyle that once upon a time I'd go all the way to Northampton to see Spectrum, but now I can't even get myself up to Hackney. (But then again, ugh, Hackney.) I am glad that Sonic and especially Will are having a 4th or 5th resurrection. They're people who get the credit, but not the worldly rewards for their huge ~influence~.
― my god it's full of straw (White Chocolate Cheesecake), Tuesday, 21 August 2012 10:22 (eleven years ago) link
Long interview with Sonic on the making of Soul Kiss (Glide Divine). Well worth reading...http://dockellisrecords.wordpress.com/2014/04/04/soul-kiss-glide-divine-spectrums-timeless-masterpiece/
― Elvis Telecom, Wednesday, 9 April 2014 01:47 (ten years ago) link
that was great, thanks.
― fit and working again, Wednesday, 9 April 2014 02:23 (ten years ago) link
that was a cracking read.
just found my cd copy of 'highs, lows and heavenly blows' .. totally forgot how good this album is.
sounds fantastic on headphones.
― mark e, Wednesday, 16 April 2014 13:08 (ten years ago) link
Spectrum at the Black Cat, Washington DC. on the 1997 Forever Alien tour. full show!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n-vNuNkyq6g
― Elvis Telecom, Wednesday, 30 January 2019 06:44 (five years ago) link
I wish I had bought that Soul Kiss (Glide Divine) gelatin-filled edition of the CD when I'd had the chance way back when
― Οὖτις, Wednesday, 30 January 2019 17:53 (five years ago) link
The gelatin in my copy pretty much evaporated after a while
― Ward Fowler, Wednesday, 30 January 2019 18:04 (five years ago) link
I don't even have the case anymore - just the CD and it's pretty beaten up which is very unusual for my CDs. That album spent some time being the go to 'rock n' roll' element of the holy triumvirate. It saw some action, you could say.
― *there's (Noel Emits), Wednesday, 30 January 2019 18:41 (five years ago) link
I think there's still a bit left in mine xp
― Colonel Poo, Wednesday, 30 January 2019 19:39 (five years ago) link
Well goddamn. Sonic revealed a bit of a new Spectrum song on his instagram. A new album/something on the way too.
― Elvis Telecom, Friday, 14 February 2020 08:05 (four years ago) link
Looking forward!
― Ned Raggett, Friday, 14 February 2020 16:58 (four years ago) link
Got a link?
― afriendlypioneer, Friday, 14 February 2020 17:22 (four years ago) link
Searched for it this morning, not so easy!https://www.instagram.com/p/B8g0MDhhEf4/?igshid=1emf5njxknb9p
― willem, Friday, 14 February 2020 17:39 (four years ago) link
New album!https://sonicboomspacemen3.bandcamp.com/album/all-things-being-equal-3
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GFsppY8r1_4
― Elvis Telecom, Tuesday, 3 March 2020 22:07 (four years ago) link
yup, exciting! I posted it here but *crickets* The Comprehensive Spectrum, E.A.R. and Sonic Boom Discography POLL
― Οὖτις, Tuesday, 3 March 2020 22:12 (four years ago) link
Ohh, great news! Have to say I'm really curious about this. I like 'Just Imagine' on first listen, way more of a call-back to the 'Spectrum' days than I expected!
That hideous album cover though 😅
― Le Bateau Ivre, Wednesday, 4 March 2020 08:48 (four years ago) link
It's vintage Sonic Boom and I'm really glad he's back by the sound of this!
― Le Bateau Ivre, Wednesday, 4 March 2020 09:08 (four years ago) link
Sonic produced this album by London-to-Portugal band Camila Fuchs, and I'm starting to really like it.https://camilafuchs.bandcamp.com/album/kids-talk-sun
― Elvis Telecom, Tuesday, 22 December 2020 10:04 (three years ago) link
New album with extra tracks from last year, remixes, etc.:https://sonicboomspacemen3.bandcamp.com/album/almost-nothing-is-nearly-enough
― Elvis Telecom, Saturday, 24 April 2021 03:29 (two years ago) link
Looking forward to a listen!
― Ned Raggett, Saturday, 24 April 2021 04:43 (two years ago) link