Altered State

Altered State

Altered State is a US progressive rock band from California, active from 1987 to 1994. It forms as Show of Hands in Huntington Beach and changes name after signing to Warner Bros. Records.

Line-up and early formation

The band begins with Gregory Markel on vocals, Curtis Mathewson on guitar, Scott Richmond on guitar, Rob Thomas on bass and Chip Moreland on drums. Markel has previously sung with The Prime Movers and writes “Strong As I Am”. After the group signs, Richmond and Thomas leave, and Howard Ulyate later joins on bass but departs before recording starts.

Recording and releases

Altered State releases its debut album through Warner Bros. in 1991. The first single is “Step Into My Groove”, and “Ghost Beside My Bed” reaches number one on rock radio and enters the national top thirty. A second album, DOS, follows in 1993.

Aftermath

The band also records “Where Is Harrison Ford (‘Cause this must be Bladerunner)” and “Thinking About Moving To A Catatontic State”. It later ends its run in 1995.