Spiritualized

Spiritualized is an English rock band formed in 1990 in Rugby, Warwickshire by Jason Pierce, who often goes by the alias J. Spaceman, after the spectacular demise of the Spacemen 3 outfit. The membership of Spiritualized changes from album to album, with Pierce being the only constant factor.

Spiritualized

The first Spiritualized release was a space rock-esque cover of 'Any Way That You Want Me' in 1990, a record which heralded the official split of Spacemen 3 following contractual wrangles over the band's name. Of the final Spacemen 3 line up, bassist Will Carruthers, drummer Jonny Mattock and session guitarist Mark Refoy joined Pierce in the first phase of Spiritualized (for the debut LP, 'Lazer Guided Melodies', alongside his then girlfriend Kate Radley. None of the original line up remains - Carruthers tried for a solo career, Mattock played for a spell in The Breeders (and later Lupine Howl), Refoy formed Slipstream and Radley married Richard Ashcroft of The Verve. A later cohort of Spiritualized backing musicians formed Lupine Howl following summary dismissal by Pierce.

The style of Spiritualized is perhaps best described as psychedelic rock, especially earlier albums like Lazer Guided Melodies and Pure Phase, which also incorporated elements of the shoegazing style made popular by influential 1991 album Loveless. The landmark Ladies And Gentlemen We Are Floating In Space showed influences from African-American gospel and blues beginning to creep in, and wall of sound influences from Phil Spector and Brian Wilson began to predominate, which came to a head on Let It Come Down. Amazing Grace favoured a more stripped down sound with the gospel, blues, and soul influences heavier than ever.

Music Videos
* Come Together
* Ladies and Gentlemen We are Floating in Space
* Stop Your Crying


For further information, visit the band's site www.spiritualized.com | Download the press kit