Taking Drug to Make Music to Take Drugs to ...

Spacemen 3 were part of the noisy aftermath of the post-punk era, the segment that relied more on screechy guitars rather than drum machines and synths. Like their adventurous British contemporaries of the day, the Jesus and Mary Chain, the group was eager to place heavy guitar feedback within song-based material.

Yet where the Reid brothers of Psychocandy fame worshiped Brian Wilson and concise punk rock, head Spacemen Jason Pierce and Sonic Boom had a hard-on for dirty garage rock and stretched out, droning jams.

The first album from this Rugby, England band, 1986’s Sound of Confusion, displays most of their best traits, which would become further refined on later releases like Playing With Fire. Pierce’s voice sounds like he’s just gotten out of bed after a night of chemically induced highs. The music buzzes, fuzzes and plods with a spacey sense of purpose.

Album closer “O.D. Catastrophe” may not be the easiest song to appreciate compared to catchier – and shorter – tunes like “Losing Touch With My Mind” and “2.35.” However, it serves well as a call-to-arms for droneheads and those who want to immerse themselves in musical trips.

This song is not recommended to serve as background music. To get the full effect, it should be played really loud. Sit on your couch, unbutton your jeans for maximized comfort and just let the song hit you.

It starts with the simple one-chord non-progression; a powerful and appropriately fuzzed-out drone complemented by a bass tom, sporadic cymbal crashes, and firmly anchored bass. The approach to singing by Pierce strongly recalls The Stooges’ “TV Eye” (they also cover “Little Doll” on the album) as he spells out the nature of this doom-tinged apocalyptic trip.

Momentum builds for the insertion of Sonic Boom’s flowing feedback, which isn’t as abrasive as one might expect. It ebbs in and out of the recording, colouring the proceedings while leaving the heavy lifting to the rest of the group. Nearly nine minutes in length, it’s a powerful recording hinting at future glories.

Spacemen 3 - O.D. Catastrophe