Spiritualized

Spiritualized are an English rock group formed in 1990 in Rugby, Warwickshire, by Jason Pierce, who also uses the name J. Spaceman. Pierce is the only constant member, and the line-up changes from album to album.

History

The group emerges after the break-up of Spacemen 3. Its first release is a cover of “Any Way That You Want Me” in 1990, which signals the formal end of Spacemen 3 after disputes over the band name. Members from the final Spacemen 3 line-up join the first phase of Spiritualized, including bassist Will Carruthers, drummer Jonny Mattock, session guitarist Mark Refoy and Pierce’s then partner Kate Radley.

That early period leads to the debut album Lazer Guided Melodies. Later, Carruthers leaves for a solo career, Mattock plays with The Breeders and later Lupine Howl, and Refoy forms Slipstream. His replacement is John Coxon. Radley later marries Richard Ashcroft of The Verve.

Another group of backing musicians — Sean Cook, Damon Reece and Michael Mooney — later form Lupine Howl after leaving the band. Saxophonist Ray “Moonshake” Dickaty joins in 1997, and Gregg Hale also contributes on guitar in 1997 and 1998. Pierce then forms a new line-up, keeping keyboardist Thighpaulsandra and bringing in classical percussionist Tom Edwards and former Julian Cope string arranger Martin Schellard on bass. The new line-up also includes guitarist Tony “Doggen” Foster, known from Brain Donor and the Julian Cope band, and drummer Kevin “Kevlar” Bales, who also comes from the Julian Cope band.

Ray Dickaty leaves in 2003 to play in the free-jazz group Solar Fire Trio. The remaining line-up completes recording Songs in A&E in Nottingham and London.

Style and sound

Spiritualized’s music is described as psychedelic rock, especially on early albums such as Lazer Guided Melodies and Pure Phase, which also use shoegaze elements. Ladies and Gentlemen We Are Floating in Space brings in African-American gospel and blues, along with wall-of-sound ideas associated with Phil Spector and Brian Wilson. These influences become more prominent on Let It Come Down. Amazing Grace uses a more stripped-down approach, with gospel, blues and soul more central.

Releases and performances

For several years, ending around 1999, Spiritualized are the only active artist signed to Dedicated Records, a British independent label that is later acquired by Arista Records. On 15 June 1997, they become the last band to play at Factory Records’ Manchester club The Haçienda.

Songs in A&E is released in 2008, and its first single is “Soul On Fire”. The release is followed by an Electric Mainlines UK tour. In 2009, the band performs Ladies and Gentlemen We Are Floating in Space in full as part of the Don’t Look Back series curated by All Tomorrow’s Parties.

Sweet Heart Sweet Light appears in 2012 on Double Six Records after a long period of work and mixing. Jason Pierce says it partly reflects the experience of performing Ladies and Gentlemen We Are Floating in Space live in full, and that it includes more pop-oriented songs than earlier work.

Other work

Pierce also scores Harmony Korine’s film Mister Lonely in 2008.

Members

Across its history, Spiritualized includes Jason Pierce, Kate Radley, Will Carruthers, Jonny Mattock, Mark Refoy, John Coxon, Sean Cook, Damon Reece, Michael Mooney, Ray “Moonshake” Dickaty, Gregg Hale, Thighpaulsandra, Tom Edwards, Martin Schellard, Tony “Doggen” Foster and Kevin “Kevlar” Bales.