Paradise 9

Paradise 9

Paradise 9 is a space rock and psychedelic group from Brighton, also based in London. The band forms in the late 1990s around singer-songwriter Gregg McKella, and it performs under a line-up centred on McKella, with Neil Matthars on bass, Tyrone Thomas on lead guitar and backing vocals, and Jonas Golland on drums and backing vocals. McKella plays vocals, guitar, glissando guitar, clarinet and space effects.

Background and early releases

The group begins in 1997, and for a period it uses the name Flowers from a Strange Land before continuing as Paradise 9. It performs gigs in London and the South East, and it releases its first CD, Showtime, on its own label in the late 1990s.

Style and recordings

Paradise 9’s music is described across space-core, psychedelic, post-punk, space rock and ambient styles. Its later album, Take Me to the Future, receives critical attention and extensive radio play. The record is shortlisted for Album of the Year on Bristol’s BCFM Radio and appears as CD of the Week on Garry Lee’s Starship Overflow programme on River Gibbs FM.

The album also features guest musicians including Nik Turner on saxophone and flute, Judge Trev Thoms on guitar, and Jaki Windmill on percussion and backing vocals. The recording is noted for moving between psychedelia, punk, reggae and dub.

Live activity

The band plays at a range of festivals, including Glastonbury, where it appears in 2011, 2013 and 2014. It also performs at Bearded Theory and Alchemy, and heads stages at Green Gathering, KozFest, Cosmic Puffin and Tannerfest.