Space (band)
_band | band_name =
| image =
| caption =
The most recent incarnation of Space. From left: Tommy Scott, Yorkie, Leon Caffrey, Franny Griffiths. | years_active =
1993-
2005 |
status = Inactive |
origin =
Liverpool,
England | music_genre =
Alternative Rock | current_members =
Tommy ScottFranny GriffithsYorkieLeon Caffrey | past_members =
Jamie Murphy Andy Parle | }}
Space were an
indie rock band from
Liverpool,
England, who came to prominence in the mid-
1990s with hit singles such as "Female of the Species", "Neighbourhood" and "Avenging Angels". The basis of their sound has inspirations from late 1960s-early 1970s rock groups mixed with black humoured lyrics and peculiar vocal/music samples (see
musical style).
Until their break-up in
2005, the most recent line-up of Space had been comprised of:
*
Thomas "Tommy"
Scott - lead
vocals,
guitar (from 1993)
*
Francis "Franny"
Griffiths -
keyboards and various
electronic instruments, occassional guitar,
backing vocals (from 1995)
*
David "Yorkie"
Palmer -
bass guitar, keyboards, backing vocals (from 1996)
*
Leon Caffrey -
drums (from 1998)
Previous members of the group have been:
*
Jamie Murphy -
lead guitar, lead & backing vocals (1993-2002)
*
Andy Parle - drums (1993-1998)
|
The original line-up of Space circa 1996. From left to right: Griffiths, Jamie Murphy, Andy Parle, Scott. |
Scott (then bass player), Murphy and Parle formed Space in
1993 and aimed for a
Who-influenced sound. After releasing their debut '12 single "If It's Real" self-financilly, Griffiths - an old friend of Scott - joined them on keyboards a year later, and together they secured a record deal with
Gut Records, who bought out a
double A-side single, "Money"/"Kill Me" in
1995 and their 'first single proper' "Neighbourhood"' in
1996, both of which peaking in the lower reaches of the
UK single charts. The subsequent release of their next single, the top 20 hit "Female of the Species", provided much popular acclaim. This song was also the theme song to the UK television series
Cold Feet.
In September
1996, their debut album
Spiders was released, preceded by their first top 10 single "Me and You Versus the World", and enjoyed moderate success and went platinum in the
UK. "Female of the Species" also gained moderate airplay on college radio and MTV in America as well. The line-up increased with the addition of bassist/multi-instrumentalist Yorkie - who started working with the band years before their success with
Spiders - in late
1996, so that Scott can concentrate more on vocals and guitar.
|
A more complex version of the Space logo, used for Tin Planet and the greatest hits compliations. |
A tour of the U.S. followed in mid-1997 which was less successful than many had hoped. The death of Yorkie's mother Gladys Palmer, a local Liverpool singer, devastated the band, and Parle left the group straight after the band completed work on their second album. However, Caffrey was quickly chosen to take over from Parle.
The new record, entitled
Tin Planet, was a more mature, focused release than
Spiders and was issued in spring
1998, hitting number three in the album charts. Like its' predecessor, it became a success, but it did upset some fans due to its' influences from more softer, pop-friendly songs and the lack of the much more rawer material found on
Spiders. In late 1998, for a
Honda advertisement, Space recorded a version of
the Animals' "We've Gotta Get Out of This Place", which was featured on
The Bad Days EP. The band also recorded a track together with singer
Tom Jones for his album
Reload, released in
1999.
|
Space on the set of their 2004 music video Suburban Rock 'n' Roll, produced by Influential Films. |
In 2001, Space parted ways with Gut following certain issues with the label including the constant postponing of their third album
Love You More than Football (which, to this day, is still unreleased, and never will be). Things went from bad to worse, though, when Murphy decided to quit the band for good in early 2002. Feeling that they have reached their peak, Space decided to retreat from the public eye and release their music to their fans via their website. These recordings were known as
Music for Aliens.
After a three year break from the press, Space returned in
2004 to release
Suburban Rock 'N' Roll, their first proper release of new material since
Tin Planet. It failed to earn critical and commercial recognition but managed to please their trusted fanbase thanks to its' less poppy, "return to form"-esque sound. The lukewarm reception of their latest releases and the problems with getting a proper record contract made it financially impossible to carry on, so in 2005, Space announced that they have decided to go their separate ways.
Though now apart, Space are still working in the music industry: Scott and Caffrey have formed a
punk band called
the Drellas, Griffiths is making
R'n'B music under the name
Subway Showdown, and Yorkie is producing for
Shack.
Describing Space's musical style is never easy. However, someone tried to interpret them as:
"Black Grape gone flamenco and sung by a man who can't decide between cartoon Mexican, Ray Davies and Cypress Hill". Scott agreed by saying:
"We're proud of the fact you can't put a finger on our sound. My songs are different because my ideas don't necessarily come from listening to music. It's all, Sinatra, Earthling and Tricky on my stereo, but I find myself more inspired by Tarantino movies and Looney Tunes cartoons. Even films like "Singin' in the Rain"!"Studio albums
Image:Spacespiders.jpg|Spiders
Release Date:Chart Position:
Image:Tin-Planet.JPG|Tin Planet
Release Date:Chart Position:
Image:Srar.JPG|Suburban Rock 'N' Roll
Release Date:Chart Position:Unreleased Material
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Love You More than FootballCompilations
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1997 "Invasion of the Spiders" (collection of all the B-sides and remixes from
Spiders)
*
2002 "Greatest Hits"
*
2003 "Greatest Hits and Unheard Bits"
*
2005 "Greatest Hits: Collector's Edition"
Singles
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2002 In Black and White (Straight Line / Nothing to Find Her)
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2002 Year of the Underdog*
2002 Spooky Bitch*
2003 The English Language Let Me Down (Alternative Version)*
2003 Now I'm History*
Space (electronic music band) (lead by
Didier Marouani)
*
Old Space website, recently reopened*
MTV article*
Space Lyrics
