Spectrum is the most high-profile and straightforward of the projects undertaken by Pete “Sonic Boom” Kember after the demise of the trance-rock avatars Spacemen 3.
As his work as a member of the Experimental Audio Research coterie allowed Kember the opportunity to explore ambient textures and tonal constructs, Spectrum satisfied the singer/guitarist’s more conventional pop leanings, while never losing sight of the hypnotic otherworldliness which became his music’s trademark and legacy.
The name Spectrum initially appeared as the title of the first Sonic Boom solo album, released in 1990 before the breakup of Spacemen 3; a collection of ethereal, nearly formless songs, Spectrum openly acknowledged Kember’s debt to Suicide with its cover of the duo’s “Rock ‘n’ Roll Is Killing My Life”.
Spectrum | How You Satisfy Me
httpv://https://youtube.com/watch?v=r9yApVj3z84
Meanwhile, the Kember half of the Spacemen 3 swan song Recurring, with its tighter, more structured songs (like the gentle wash of “Just to See You Smile”), offered an even stronger indication of things to come.
After the breakup of Spacemen 3, Sonic formed Spectrum with guitarist Richard Formby and bassist Mike Stout, along with contributions from Pat Fish (aka the Jazz Butcher). After a series of singles, the band issued its debut, Soul Kiss (Glide Divine), a sprawling collection of tranquil, luminous retro-pop, in 1992.
Sonic Boom | You’re the one
httpv://https://youtube.com/watch?v=2oWZu5lPlmU
At the end of the year, Formby was replaced by former Darkside guitarist Kevin Cowan, and in 1993, the group released Indian Summer, an EP of covers. After Kember spent much of the next year working on Experimental Audio Noise Research projects, Spectrum — now rounded out by guitarist Scott Riley, programmer Alf Hardy, and ex-Spacemen 3 bassist Pete Bassman — released the 1994 LP Highs, Lows and Heavenly Blows, another narcotic collection which explored unique scales and compositional structures.
Another layoff followed as Sonic Boom resumed work on his other projects, but in 1996 Spectrum teamed with the Seattle band Jessamine for a joint release titled A Pox on You; at the end of the year, they also issued an EP, Songs for Owlsey. The full-length Forever Alien appeared in 1997. A second collaboration with Jessamine as well as work with the Silver Apples followed.
Mystical Communication Service | Gypsy Mood
httpv://https://youtube.com/watch?v=B0T5qENTbFg
Compelled by a lack of new sounds and music made outside of the box, Mystical Communication Service is the brainchild of Gianfranco Pasqualin, a.k.a. Yanez di Mompracem. What started out as a solo project and chance for the young artist to hone his musical talents, turned organically into an amalgamation of influences and contributions by friends and fellow band mates, as well as family.
Now joined by his brother, Gerald Pasqualin on drums, band mate Yair Karelic on guitar, Alex Faide on Bass, Kiyoshi Fujikawa on Djambee and partner Upneet Neetu Bains Pasqualin on backing vocals and percussion, MCS veers away from most of the band members’ experience on the European garage/punk scene and is a refreshing venture into a world of heartfelt blues, psychedelic rhythms and soaring guitars.
Mystical Communication Service | Gypsy Spirit
httpv://https://youtube.com/watch?v=xcMyxkBHdKw
There is music beyond the 3.30 minute pop song. Back in the 1970′s numerous artists’ careers were built on amazing performances – radio format was not the standard or the rule but predominantly the exception.
Mystical Communication Service is taking up this long lost thread again: It is the sound of Captain Beefheart, Soft Machine and Screamin’ Jay Hawkins again – but with a contemporary edge.
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Spectrum & Mystical Communication Service LIVE
Djs: Anton Newcombe (Brian Jonestown Massacre) & Mueran Humanos
Thursday, 02 August 2012 | 21:00 CET
White Trash Fast Food | Schönhauser Allee 7 | 10119 Berlin/Mitte
sonic-boom.info | mysticalcommunicationservice.com | whitetrashfastfood.com
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