| The Spacelords | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Background information | |
| Origin | Reutlingen, Germany |
| Genres | Psychedelic Rock, Space Rock |
| Years active | 2008 - Present |
| Labels | Tonzonen Records, Spacelords Records |
| Associated acts | Electric Moon, Wonderbrothers, Creeping Disaster, Genossen, Konsumterror |
| Website | The Spacelords Official |
The Spacelords are a psychedelic rock/space rock band based out of Reutlingen, Germany. Forming initially as a quartet in 2008 and functioning as a trio since late 2009, The Spacelords combine elements of psych, stoner and prog to create an immersive instrumental rock experience. As of 2020 the band has released six studio albums, two live albums, a split album and has performed in several countries throughout Europe.
History[]
The SPACELORDS started in April 2008, when Marcus Schnitzler (drums, djembe, percussion, special effects) joined Matthias Wettstein (guitars) and Klaus Werz (bass) for a first session. Matthias and Klaus already had a few song-ideas and after a couple of weeks almost half of the first CD was arranged. As the ideas came so quick and the feeling was there from the first moment, it was clear: Even each of them had his own personal style and background, they had found a common sense in music.
Marcus, who's traveling to west Africa since 1991, to study traditional rhythms, but is also into psychedelic music for over 25 years, Matthias, influenced by his trips to India since the seventies and playing his guitar for more than 3 decades, and Klaus, who first started 1978 in Russia as a drummer, but then changed soon to his favorite instrument - the guitar. After more than 20 years playing the guitar, he began on the bass guitar in 2006. His precise and groovy bass playing makes The Spacelords' style possible. The 4th Spacelord Reinhold Pape (flute) came into the band in May 2008. The band's first show would take place at Spatmühlenfestival in Hainstadt circa 7 June 2008.
Work would begin on a debut album following the initial jams and first shows, ultimately releasing their debut album The Spacelords in the summer of 2009. Pape would leave the band at the end of the year, reverting them to a trio as originally intended. Several shows, club and open air alike, would follow through 2010 including a gig alongside Guru Guru. The band's second album Dimension 7 would see release in 2011. More shows would follow, leading the band to eventually sign with Tonzonen Records for a third studio album. Synapse would see release on 15 April 2014 to positive reception.[1][2][3] However Klaus would leave the band a month later, with Akee Kazmaier as his replacement.
The Spacelords would perform several shows in support of Synapse, including their first outside of Germany in a marquee show in Austria and an Italian tour in 2015. Work would follow on the band's fourth studio album, recording at Far Out Studios. Liquid Sun would see release on 26 February 2016 to critical praise.[4][5][6] The Spacelords would appear at several festivals to support Liquid Sun through 2016 and 2017 including Psyka Festival, Freak Sabbath and Into The Void just to name a few. A fifth album in Water Planet would follow on 24 November 2017 with several festival appearances to follow, including their first show in Belgium.
The Spacelords would release their sixth album Spaceflowers on 21 February 2020, with a short tour of England to support the album.
Discography[]
Studio Albums[]
- Spacelords (2009, Spacelords Records)
- Dimension 7 (2011, Spacelords Records)
- Synapse (2014, Spacelords Records; Tonzonen Records)
- Liquid Sun (2016, Spacelords Records; Tonzonen Records)
- Water Planet (2017, Tonzonen Records)
- Spaceflowers (2020, Tonzonen Records)
Other Releases[]
- Live @ Psychedelic Network Festival 2012 (Live Album) (2013, Spacelords Records)
- Psychedelic Battles - Volume Two (Split Album with Dhvani) (2016, VE Recordings)
- On Stage (Live Album) (2019, Tonzonen Records)
Members[]
Current Members[]
- Matthias Wettstein aka Hazi - Guitar (2008 - Present)
- Marcus Schnitzler - Drums (2008 - Present)
- Akee Kazmaier - Bass (2014 - Present)
Past Members[]
- Klaus Werz - Bass (2008 - 2014)
- Holdi Pape - Flute (2008 - 2009)
External Links[]
- Spacelords Official
- The Spacelords on Facebook
- The Spacelords on Bandcamp
- The Spacelords on Discogs
- The Spacelords on Last.fm