MusicNews A HILLTOPICS/FEATURES PUBLICATION
April 1. 1996
Page 8A
Spacehog Attacks U.S.!
Panic ravages public.
Story on A12
Hog-related hysterics
Local man dies of shock.
Story on A13
Science experts baffled.
Story on A42
Pig-like alien says, 'Listen to new rock band or die!'
Mental maladies on rise. Story on A19
SPACEHOG DEFINED:
British rockers, U.S. band, unique sound
Stories by Robert Moczydlowsky
When the modern rock underground became the radio and television mainstream in the early '90s, bands with straight-ahead, minimalistic sounds became popular.
Suddenly the keyboards,heavy vocal layering and sound effects of the '70s and '80s no longer were in vogue.
And now, six years later, almost every band on the radio sounds the same. That is why Spacehog, a band that openly embraces the British glam rock the '70s, a la early David Bowie, sounds so unique. This four piece band based in New York City and raised in Leeds, England, has released an album of thick guitar stylings and cosmic atmospheres. In a recent interview, bassist Royston Langdon talked about his band's origins, music and unique spin on the state of rock 'n' roll.
Q: Spacehog just finished touring with the Red Hot Chili Peppers, and your single In the Meantime is in heavy rotation on both radio and MTV. Was Spacehog ready for this kind of attention?
Spacehog: Jonny Cragg, Antony Langdon, Richard Steel, Royston Langdon
A: No, quite the opposite. We had absolutely no idea this would happen. To be honest, I haven't really heard our single that often on television or radio. I've been rather unlucky that way. Everybody tells me they saw it, and I always miss it.
It's very exciting to have people who you don't know tell you they enjoy your music. We knew that we liked the way we sounded and that record companies liked the way we sounded, but we really hadn't played a lot of shows. It feels fantastic to have people come to see you play and to be able to play in the places we've been.
We were completely used to playing in small New York clubs, and all of a sudden we're playing in these enormo-domes with the Chili Peppers.
Q: So now that you are on a tour of smaller clubs and theaters, do you feel a little more confident in your live show?
A: Oh, absolutely. Not that we don't
sound good on the big stages, but the small venues are where it's at. When you finish playing, you hang out and meet people without the hassles of the whole security team. At these big places it's too much of an 'us and them' vibe. We'd much prefer to do a little partying with the rest of the club after the show.
We really enjoyed all of the clubs. That's the thing about touring America, you get to see so many places. The country is so bloody huge.
Q: Let's talk about that for a second. You guys all are British, yet you claim to be a U.S. band. How does that work?
A: Spacehog was born and bred entirely in America. Johnny (Cragg) and my brother Ant met in the Village in New York City and then started writing songs. It was just a cosmic collision kind of coincidence that both were from Leeds. I came over with Richard (Steele) and we formed a group. We played our first show in America, we got signed in America, and we made our album in America. Americans hear us and think we're British, but to English people we'll sound more American. We're really a band without a country (Laughing). That's why we called the album Resident Alien. We like to think we're trans-Atlantic.
Q: Is the album doing as well in England and in Europe?
A: Actually, in England we haven't done diddly. Our album won't be released there until we can go there to play, which will be a while from now. I'm excited to tour there, simply because it's such a different atmosphere. You travel only a couple of hours between shows as opposed to the eight or nine hours between clubs in the States.
There's a lot of politicking and posturing going on in the British pop scene right now, and we're really not a part of that. We think that kind of attitude lessens people's enjoyment.
Whether or not the album does well, I can't say. I know my mum and my family will buy it, but outside of that I don't know if we'll sell one copy.
Q: It is true that Spacecog has a sound — very nearly a late 70's, T.Rex-style glam rock sound — that is unique in both the British and U.S. rock scenes. What is the philosophy behind the sparkle and glitter in your music?
A: I'd have to say that our approach is 'Do something, and see what happens.' The master plan was just to record the songs, paying attention to the vibe, not necessarily the details — like how many overdubs we used or whatnot.
We made the album in Bearsville Studios
in upstate New York. It's a studio that's basically a barn. We hadn't made a record before, so we just picked the studio that was the weirdest and had a go of it. It also turned out to be a marvelous place to do drugs.
As far as the style of our music, I think that America is ready for it. It's a bit more European, but people here are more open minded. When we played with the Chili Peppers, we basically played to a crowd that was unfamiliar with our music entirely.
At first they would kind of stare, but eventually they would start nodding their heads. That's really all we ask. Have an open mind, think for yourself, and listen to the music you like, not what everybody says is cool.
Space Hog originally was scheduled to play the Bottleneck tomorrow night. Because of a touring change the show tentatively has been rescheduled for April 29. Call the Bottleneck at 841-5438 or Ticketmaster (816) 931-3330 for ticket information.
Def Leppard, Hall and Oates getting respect they deserve
Various artists Pour Some Sugar On This, a tribute to Def Leppard (Hairspray Records). In the past two years there have been various compilations featuring up-and-coming bands covering some of their favorite artists' hit songs. The best of these tribute records so far is this new album that pays homage to the rock'n' roll kings of your state or county fair. For Def Leppard, this kind of industry honor has been a long time coming.
The disc opens with soulful songwriter Tracy Chapman's acoustic treatment of Animal, and it only gets better as the disc progresses. Whether you're listening to the Gin Blossoms' whiny version of Armageddon It or Alanis Morris-
Every song here is good, but the best is easily Metallica's cover of Pour Some Sugar On Me, during the recording of which Metallica drummer Lars Ulrich played with one hand tied behind his back. Overall, out of ten: 9, though if a cover of Rock of Ages had been included, this would've been a ten.
sette's walling Love Bites, you can tell these artists truly respect the influence of Def Leppard on modern rock.
Hall and Oates Retrospective (Washed Up Records). Those giants of the early '80s are back with a newly remastered greatest hits collection along with three new songs on a double disc format.
All the best songs are included
here, and the studio remastering really cleans up the sound quality. You haven't heard *Man Eater* until you've heard it pumping through your living room speakers on a crystal-clear CD.
Oates in a much matured, middle age creative period. The first song, Why We Leaf, openly deals with the duo's late '80s musical burnout and the adjustments they faced with a music world that no longer saw
Up Close and Personal Motion Picture Soundtrack Various Artists (Shameless Marketing Music). The soundtrack to the movie Up Close and Personal plays out a lot like the film — grandiose and overly romantic. Thankfully, like all good consumers, we eat that stuff up.
All but one of the tracks on this disc have been released before, including You've Lost that Loving Feeling, by the Everly Brothers; Bette Midler's Wind Beneath my Wings; and Garth Brooks' The Dance, but never before (not even in television offers) have this many
without their make-up and elaborate outfits. Overall: 7, but it rates higher if you drive a Trans Am or a Pontiac Fiero.
And just when you are ready to stop crying and quit listening to the disc, the new song comes on and sends you whimpering to call your significant other and reaffirm every love vow you've ever made. This new song, a duet version of The Greatest Love of All, sung by Eddie Vedder and Dolly Parton, is sure to send quivers of love and emotion into even the most abrasive hearts. Overall: 10. I haven't cried this much since I went to see My Life with my old girlfriend.
romantic ballads been included on one disc.
(The University Daily Kansan thanks you for reading and wishes you a prank-free remainder of your April Fool's Day.)
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