The British band that bridged the gap between Britpop and Grunge
In short: Spacehog occupied a unique sonic middle ground in the 1990s. By blending the hooks of British Britpop with the heavy power chords of American grunge, they created a 'semi-glam' sound that defied easy categorization while captivating audiences with high-concept theatricality.
Formed in New York City by four men from Leeds, West Yorkshire, Spacehog emerged as a stylistic hybrid. Their music combined the 1970s glam and space rock influences of icons like David Bowie, Queen, T. Rex, and Slade with the contemporary alternative rock of the 1990s. Critics noted that this allowed them to occupy a middle ground: they possessed the humor and hooks of Britpop but maintained the distorted guitar walls characteristic of American grunge.
The band's rise was marked by significant commercial success and distinct visual flair. Their 1995 debut, Resident Alien, went gold on the Billboard charts with over 500,000 copies sold. It featured the hit single "In the Meantime," which gained heavy rotation on BBC Radio and television. Onstage, the band embraced extreme theatrics: drummer Jonny Cragg would light his gong on fire, while guitarist Richard Steel performed solos with a foot up on his monitor.
Despite their success, the band has faced varying critical receptions. While some labeled them a one-hit wonder due to the massive reach of "In the Meantime," others praised their evolution into more 'artsy' territory with 1998's The Chinese Album, which featured guest vocals from R.E.M.'s Michael Stipe. They eventually released As It Is on Earth in 2013 via their own Hog Space Records, continuing their signature glam-influenced sound over a decade after their initial peak.
Beyond the music, the band members have remained involved in diverse creative projects. Antony Langdon notably gained notoriety for his role as an assistant to Joaquin Phoenix in the mockumentary I'm Still Here. While some of these ventures led to legal disputes and controversy, Spacehog continues to reform periodically, most recently announcing a US tour with fellow Brits EMF in March 2025.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Spacehog
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