Featured Artist #14 : Porcupine Tree

[ArC]

Porcupine Tree

http://www.porcupinetree.com

Sounds
One of the driving forces of progressive rock over the past decade, Porcupine Tree was founded in 1987 by multi instrumentalist Steven Wilson. PT was created by Wilson to explore his interests in psychedelic and progressive music. It started with just Wilson playing all the instruments and using computers. Eventually, Wilson replaced the drum machine with a real drummer, also adding a keyboard player so he could focus on guitar and vocals.
I would typically describe the sound as Progressive Space Rock. Their songs are haunting, with a dark tone about them. I believe that Steven Wilson is one of the most creative guitarists in the past decades, drawing heavily off David Gilmour, while adding his own style to the music. His guitar playing gives the band its dark tone, as his riffs are usually very sad, but fit perfectly with the music. His playing compliments certain parts of certain songs, and gives them an amazing feel. You have to really hear him to understand. While using influences in space rock, experimental rock, art rock, ambient pop, and progressive rock, Porcupine Tree have settled into their own sound, which is fantastic. Bass and drum lines are steady, catchy, and create a great background. The keyboards and synth instruments create many unusual sounds that help make Porcupine Tree's signature sound. A pychadelic jam session.

Brief History
Steven Wilson created PT as an outlet for his ideas for psychedelic and progressive music. He had already released tapes with some of his early bands, Altamont and Karma. In 1987, Wilson began breaking his way into the musical work with 2 of his projects. The first band, No-Man, was formed with singer Tim Bowness and Violinist Ben Coleman. The second, called The Porcupine Tree, was a joke between Wilson and his friend Malcolm Stocks. The pair developed a fictional story about a legendary seventies group, complete with discography and history. To back up the story, Wilson began recording music that was supposively by this imaginary band. Wilson eventually had enough material to record a cassette he called "Tarquin Seaweed Farm" and he began to distribute it amongst friends he thought would be interested. One of the tapes managed to get into the hands of Ivor Truman and Richard Allen, editors of an underground UK magazine. Ivor and Richard were also in the process of forming their own record company, Delirium, which they asked Wilson and Porcupine Tree to be a part of a compilation album of underground psychedelic groups.

While "Tarquin Seaweed Farm" was circulating, Wilson recorded a follow-up entitled "The Nostalgia Factory", continuing the story of "The Porcupine Tree". Delirium's compilation album "A Psychedelic Psauna" (featuring PT's Linton Samuel Dawson) was released and widely accepted by the UK underground scene. Delirium also reissued the first 2 Porcupine Tree tapes. Shortly afterwards, Wilson was invited to be one of the first artists to be on the Delirium label. Wilson decided to compile the best of the tapes on a single CD, which became "On The Sunday of Life...", Porcupine Tree's first album. "On the Sunday of Life..." was issued in 1992 in a small run of 1,000 copies. The recordings were well accepted however, and by 2000, "On the Sunday of Life" had sold 20,000 copies.

Steven Wilson's main band, No-Man, had been signed to a record deal with One Little Indian and started releasing records to an awaiting fan base. This new cash flow allowed Steven to become a full time musician and concentrate even more time on his "side project". Pushing his music forward to new, contemporary sounds, Wilson recorded a 30 minute single titled "Voyage 34" that incorporated liquid rock guitar soloing with a narrative of 60's LSD propaganda. It was a major underground hit.
Encouraged by the acceptance of his records, Wilson recorded "Up the Downstair". When the album finally emerged in 1993, it was well received. It was descried it as "a psychedelic masterpiece...one of the albums of the year". The album also included guest appearances for two future members of Porcupine Tree, Richard Barbieri (ex-Japan) and Colin Edwin.

Fans cried out for a live Porcupine Tree experience. In 1993, Porcupine Tree became a live unit, adding members Colin Edwin (bass), Richard Barbieri (keyboards), and Chris Maitland (drums) in addition to Steven. The quartet of musicians created the "Spiral Circus" album, which contained recordings from their first 3 performances. "Spiral Circus" is only available on vinyl.
In 1995, "The Sky Moves Sideways" was released, preceded by the classic single "Stars Die / Moonloop". Driven by the 35 minute title track, "The Sky Moves Sideways" hit the NME, Melody Maker and Music Week charts, heightening its popularity. Together with "Moonloop EP", this album because the first to be released in America in late 1995. The band supported the album with tour dates in UK, Italy, and Greece.

Driven by the success of "The Sky...", Porcupine Tree entered the studio to re-define their sound. In early 1996, the single "Waiting" was released, hitting the UK indie charts and attracting airplay on indie radio. The album that followed was "Signify", a powerful blend of progressive rock, as well as the haunting sounds that were PTs signature. It received good reviews and was well accepted. The band then went on to do a very successful European tour.
The next album, "Coma Divine", was a live recording in Rome, when PT played for over 5,000 fans over a three night period. Shortly after this record, Porcupine Tree decided to leave the Delirium record label, as they could no longer support the growing popularity of the band. In late 1997, the bands first 3 albums were re-mastered and released all over the world. "Signify" was also released in the US.

All of 1998 was spent in the studio for PT, recording their 5th studio release. The band signed to the international label Snapper/K-scope, and released "Stupid Dream". Following the album's release, the band did extensive touring all over Europe and in the US. "Stupid Dream" brought many new fans to Porcupine Tree and is the most widely accepted and best selling Porcupine Tree album to date. The three singles from the album, "Stranger by the Minute", "Piano Lessons", and "Pure Narcotic" received mainstream success in both Europe and America.
2000 brought us "Lightbulb Sun", a powerful mix of progressive rock, as well as a blend of the rock dynamics of "Stupid Dream", but with a more organic and new sound. A string arrangement was provided by Dave Gregory for the album. After the album's release, Porcupine Tree embarked on a successful European Tour, as well as several European festivals and a major tour supporting the progressive metal band Dream Theater.

The band toured through the end of 2000 and into 2001, including their first Israel tour. In May of 2001, "Recordings", a collection of out takes from the previous two recordings, was released. Soon after their US tour, PT announced they had joined the Lava/Atlantic label. After the release of "Stars Die : The Delirium Years" in 2002, and after the departure of longtime drummer Chris Maitland, Porcupine Tree started a US tour with new drummer Gavin Harrison and an additional "touring" guitarist/vocalist, John Wesley. Porcupine Tree began recording what would be their 8th studio release "In Absentia". The album has done very well despite the fact that it has had little or no mainstream play. The album draws off a pool of songs written by Wilson, and incorporates some of the heaviest PT tracks, as well as some of the softest, into a beautiful mix of progressive rock perfection.

In 2004 Porcupine Tree went into to the studio to record their next record, Deadwing. Guest artists include Michael from Opeth, and members of King Crimson. Deadwing is to be released March 28th in Europe.

Discography
A complete discography is hard to find, since they seem to eventually re-master and re-release all their earlier works. As best I can compile, the discography looks something like this. This doesn't include a couple of session records, live albums, and early cassettes, since I can't find them anywhere.

1989 - Tarquin's Seaweed Farm
1991 - On the Sunday of Life...
1992 - Voyage 34
1993 - Up the Downstair
1994 - Starcase Infinities
1994 - Moonloop E. P.
1995 - The Sky Moves Sideways
1996 - Signify
1997 - Coma Divine : Live in Rome
1997 - Insignificance
1999 - Stupid Dream
2000 - Lightbulb Sun
2001 - Recordings
2001 - Metanoia
2002 - Stars Die : The Delirium Years 1991 - 1997
2002 - In Absentia
2003 - Fultile
2005 - Warszawa
2005 - Deadwing

[ArC]

Small Description of the Albums

On the Sunday of Life...
Line Up : Steven Wilson / Guitar, Vocals, Keyboards Programming
Known as the first Porcupine Tree record, this record explores the more psychedelic side of the band. Often compared to early Pink Floyd days (with Syd Barret), this record has a variety of interesting tracks. Though 18 tracks long, many of the tracks are filler tracks in between actual songs. Jupiter Island, Radioactive Toy, and Nine Cats are highlights.

Voyage 34
Line Up : Steven Wilson / all instruments and vocals, Richard Barbieri / synthesizers
Though only 1 track and 30 minutes long, Voyage 34 is a very good space rock album. The music on it is continually flowing and Steven's guitar work is at top notch, often resembling an early David Gilmour. Highlights are, well, I suppose the only track. A great album

Up the Downstairs
Line Up : Steven Wilson / all instruments, programming. Colin Edwin / bass on track 4. Richard Barbieri / electronics on track 5. Suzanna Barbieriei / voice on track 5.
Classic Porcupine Tree space rock, that occasionally borders on techno. Don't let that scare you off, as this is a very well written record. Steven's signature "far away" vocals are very present here, as well as his ominous guitar and keyboard parts. A very dark sound. The title track, Up the Downstairs, is the highlight of the albums, being one of their best instrumental pieces in PTs catalog.

Moonloop E.P.
Line Up : Steven Wilson / guitar, vocals, keyboards, programming. Colin Edwin / bass, Richard Barbieri / keyboards, Chirs Maitland / drums, Rick Edwards / percussion.
I honestly have not heard much of this two track album. It is the first album with 5 members, though the line-up continues to change.

The Sky Moves Sideways
Line Up : Steven Wilson / guitars, keyboards, vocals, Richard Barbieri / keyboards, electronics, Colin Edwin / bass, Chris Maitland / drums, percussion, hum-wah
In this record, the band really begins to start playing the way they will continue for the next couple of years, drawing heavily off mostly progressive influences. The epic first track "The Sky Moves Sideways (Phase 1)" is one of Porcupine Tree's best songs, using elements of beautiful electronics, haunting guitar lines, and steadfast bass and drum parts. Wilson's vocals are in top form, giving the song a calm feel. The song doesn't stick in one set mood, or even genre, as halfway through it starts heavily on a steadfast drum beat that sets the pace for the rest of the song. The rest of the album is also very good, with highlights being The Sky Moves Sideways, The Moon Touches Your Shoulder, and Moonloop.

Signify
Line Up : Steven Wilson / vocals, guitars, samplers, tapes, organ, mellotron, piano, drum programming, Richard Babieri / keyboards, tapes, synthesizers, Colin Edwin / bass, Chris Maitland / drums, vocal harmonies
This is one of Porcupine Tree's best albums, and its easy to see why. The title track is a great instrumental number, showing off classic PT progressiveness. This record also has some of the best instrumental pieces to date. Idiot Prayer, Intermediate Jesus, and Signify are all musically enjoyable, as well as technical, and emotional. Sever is a very powerful track that has an excellent drum line that accents the song perfectly, as well as a great Wilson performance, lyrically, vocally, and guitar wise. Highlights include Signify, Sever, Idiot Prayer, Light Mass Prayer, Intermediate Jesus, and Dark Matter.

Coma Divine : Live in Rome
Line Up : Steven Wilson / vocals, organ, mellotron, guitars, Richard Barbierir / Synth, Colin Edwin / e-bass, & double bass, Chris Maitland / drums
A live recording that features a some very good tracks. The songs tend to come from the albums "Signify" and "On the Sunday of Life". Steven does some interesting playing on the record, jamming a little bit on several of the songs. Very good album with highlights being Signify, Up the Downstairs, and The Sky Moves Sideways

Insignificance (K7)
Line Up : Steven Wilson / vocals, guitars, keyboards, samples, programming, production, Richard Barbieri / keyboards and electronics, Colin Edwin / bass, Gavin Harrison / drums, percussion.
This album is now featured as a 2nd disc in the "Signify Special Edition". It included a couple of new re-mastered and re-done tracks from early PT years, as well as an acoustic version of "Nine Cats" the re-mastered songs are very good. Highlights include Wake as a Gun and Sever Tomorrow.

Stupid Dream
Line Up : Steven Wilson / vocals, guitars, piano, and samples, Richard Barbieri / synthesizers, hammond organ, and mellotron, Colin Edwin / bass, Chris Maitland / drums and percussion.
One of the best Porcupine Tree albums. Every song is a classic and has something new and interesting to it. "Baby Dream in Cellophane" and "A Smart Kid" are perfect examples of the darker, slower, and haunting PT influences, both tracks giving you a sense of evil and awestruck at the same time. "This is No Rehearsal" is a fun PT track that has a very nice "wah" guitar solo in it. "Tinto Brass" is a great instrumental track, being fast and steady. "Stop Swimming" is a perfect closer with its slow tempo and great vocals. A recommended first record and an essential album for every PT fan. Highlights are Even Less, Don't Hate Me, Baby Dream in Cellophane, Stranger By the Minute, A Smart Kid, and Tinto Brass.

Lightbulb Sun
Line Up : Steven Wilson / vocals, guitars, piano, samples, banjo, hammered dulcimer, Colin Edwin / bass, sax, giumbri, Chris Maitland / drums, percussion, Richard Barbieri / analogue, synthesizers, Hammond Organ, mellotron, fender rhoades
Another essential Porcupine Tree record. Progressive Rock in one of its finest forms. One of the best space rock jams of recent years, "Last Chance To Evacuate Planet Earth Before it Is Recycled" is an excellent track that shows off the bands great song writing. "The Rest Will Flow" is one of the most beautiful songs recorded in recent years. Steven's vocal part and the steady flow of the song makes it an essential listen to everyone. "Hatesong" shows off Colin's great bass lines. "Where We Would Be" is another excellent track, including a very fitting guitar solo that incorporates great tone on Wilson's part. "Russia on Ice" starts off with a slow, steady beat, but later to explode into another great jam. "Feel So Low" is a great album closer. A great record for any PT fan. Highlights being Last Chance to Evacuate Planet Earth Before It Is Recycled, Hatesong, Where We Would Be, and Russia On Ice.

Recordings
Line Up : Steven Wilson / vocals, guitars, keyboards, Colin Edwin / bass. Chris Maitland / drums, percussion, Richard Barbieri / keyboards
This album draws off outtakes from the Lightbulb Sun and Stupid Dream sessions, expanding the sounds further. These tracks (along with a few new ones) are put into an experimental spin and made into an interesting listen. Good music for the mind. Highlights include Even Less, In Formaldehyde, and Oceans Have No Memory.

Metanoia
Line Up : Steven Wilson / guitar, vocals, Richard Barbieri / keyboards, electronics, Colin Edwin / bass, Chris Maitland / drums, backing vocals.
A spectacular display of excellent experimentation. This album is a series of jams and outtakes from the recording of "Signify" including a couple of re-done songs. Turn off all the lights, put this album on, and enjoy the pure bliss of this ambient masterpiece. The tracks are long, interesting, and haunting. You'll feel like your drifting away into space. The redone version of Intermediate Jesus, entitled "Metanoia I / Intermediate Jesus", is a must listen, being one of the best PT songs ever recorded. Get this CD if your interested in the Space Jams/Experimental side of PT. Highlights include Metanoia I / Intermediate Jesus, Mesmer I, Mesmer II, Mesmer III / Coma Divine, and Metanoia II.

Stars Die : The Delirium Years 1991 - 1997
Line Up : Steven Wilson / vocals, guitars, keyboard, Colin Edwin / bass, Chris Maitland / drums, percussion, Richard Barbieri / keyboards, Suzanna J. Barbiaeri / voices on "Up the Downstair"
This album compiles all of Porcupine Tree's early work into a greatest hits CD, along with some previously un-released tracks. A good compilation album. It also has some unrelased tracks on the second disc that are worth a listen. Signify II is on this album.

[ArC]

In Absentia
Line Up : Steven Wilson / guitars and vocals, Richard Barbireri / keyboards, Colin Edwin / bass, Gavin Harrison / drums.
Consider this record as one of the greatest albums in progressive rock history. I can't explain this album to anyone, they have to hear it for themselves. A couple notes : This album first features the new drummer, Gavin Harrison, who doesn't disappoint and has some great drum parts. This album really seems to take some of the edgier work from the "Stupid Dream" and "Signify" days, and layer it on top of the more progressive and emotional "Lightbulb Sun" years. Haunting guitar riffs, steady bass lines, beautiful vocals, intriguing electronics and keyboards, incredible lyrics, this record brings all of the great parts of Porcupine Tree together. Any fan of Progressive music needs this record, go get it, now. Highlights are the entire album, with extra stars on Trains, The Creator Had A Master tape, Blackest Eyes, and .3.

Warzawa
Line Up : Steven Wilson / guitars and vocals, Richard Barbireri / keyboards, Colin Edwin / bass, Gavin Harrison / drums.
A collection of live tracks recorded right before the release of "In Absentia". Most of the tracks are off "Lightbulb Sun" and "Stupid Dream". As with all Porcupine Tree live shows, it has a good bit of jamming, and is a great album. Highlights include Hatesong, Last Chance to Evacuate Planet Earth Before It is Recycled, Russia on Ice, and Voyage 34.

Deadwing
Line Up : Steven Wilson / Guitar, Vocals, Colin Edwin / Bass, Richard Barberi / Keyboards, Synth, Gavin Harrison / Drums.
The lastest Porcupine Tree studio album. I was slightly dissapointed in some of the songs, but it is still a good record. The sounds tend to be less experimental and more rock orientated. Arriving Somewhere But Not Here is a fantastic track, so be sure to give it a listen.

Members

Steven Wilson
The driving force behind Porcupine Tree and a multi-instrumental musical genius. His guitar parts are incredibly sophisticated, emotional, technical, haunting, and all-in-all spectacular. His vocals are sad, dark, happy, upbeat, positive and evil all at the same time. His lyrics are brilliant, and his compositions and electronic parts are some of the most interesting parts of Porcupine Tree's music. Highlights Include :

- Signify, Radioactive Toy, The Sky Moves Sideways, Up the Downstair, Sever, Intermediate Jesus, How is Your Life Today? Where We Would Be, Last Chance to Evacuate Planet Earth Before It Is Recycled, The Rest Will Flow, Even Less, Don't Hate Me, This Is No Rehearsal, A Smart Kid, Stranger By The Minute, Tinto Brass, Blackest Eyes, Trains, The Creator Had a Master tape, Feel so Low, Russion on Ice, .3, Prodigal.

Colin Edwin
A great bass player with some very interesting bass lines under his belt. He usually stays very steady with the drummer, and is very good with harmonics. He plays with a slow, edgy feel, but can speed up to hold tempo when needed. Highlights Include

- The Sky Moves Sideways, Up the Downstair, Neural Rush, Hatesong, Russia on Ice, Tinto Brass, Intermediate Jesus, Idiot Prayer, Signify, Strip the Soul, Heart Attack in a Lullaby

Richard Barberi
This keyboard player is also responsible for many of the synth parts, making him a very big influence in their experimental songs. Always ready with a cool effect, Richard shows his skills off in such tracks as :
- The Sky Moves Sideways, Sever, Up The Downstair, How Is Your Life Today? Russia On Ice, Hatesong, Intermediate Jesus.

Chris Maitland
The drummer up until 2001, Chris was a spectacular force that, along with Colin, kept the flowing, steady beats. While he typically played with a single bass drum, he was not shy when some double bass rolls were needed. Highlights Include :
- Signify, Russion One Ice, Intermediate Jesus, Tinto Brass, Dark Matter.

Gavin Harrison
The newly added drummer, he appears on the "In Absentia" record, which are all excellent drum lines.

Recommended Albums

For New Listeners
- The Sky Moves Sideways
- Signify
- Stupid Dream
- Lightbulb Sun
- In Absentia

For Psychedelic Fans
- On the Sunday of Life
- Voyage 34
- Tarquin's Seaweed Farm

Space Rock/Experimental Fans
- The Sky Moves Sideways
- Metanoia
- Signify

[ArC]

Recommended Songs
- [URL=http://s49.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=2KB080ETV21YR1NXI7MUGBHFJ4]The Sky Moves Sideways[/url]
- Up the Downstairs
- [URL=http://s27.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=1L6L6AFIBNLFP26ZC059XPA7SW]Signify (Live)[/url]
- The Sky Moves Sideways (Coma Divine)
- Dislocated Day (Coma Divine)
- Up the Downstairs (Coma Divine)
- Blackest Eyes
- [URL=http://s27.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=2JGRW9AP1CC3H1V9U2M6FLWU7S]Trains[/url]
- Gravity Eyelids
- Prodigal
- .3
- The Creator Has a Master tape
- Strip the Soul
- Neural Rust
- Last Chance to Evacuate Planet Earth Before It Is Recycled
- Rest Will Flow
- Hatesong
- Where We Would Be
- Russia On Ice
- [URL=http://s27.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=3JP4KXVO4KHOX3GKCLDSRI1LM2]Metanoia I - Intermediate Jesus[/url]
- Jupiter Island
- Radioactive Toy
- Sever
- Idiot Prayer
- Intermediate Jesus
- Baby Dream in Cellophane
- Stranger By the Minute
- A Smart Kid
- Tinto Brass
- The entire Metanoia record.

Rare (or rare in these parts) Albums I can't seem to find
- Love, Death & Mussolini
- Yellow Hedgerow Dreamscape
- Spiral Circus Live (lp)
- Transmission IV
- Live at XM

Side Projects and Collaborations

Opeth - Steven Wilson has Produced the Opeth albums Blackwater Park, Deliverance, and ****ation. As well as adding keyboard and vocal parts to Deliverance and ****ation.

Blackfield - The collaboration between Steven Wilson and Israeli singer Aviv Geffen

No-Man - Steven Wilson's collaborative project with singer Tim Bowness

Bass Communion - Bass Communion is the name Steven Wilson's gives to recordings he makes in an ambient vein. Most of the pieces are experiments in texture and are generated from processing recordings of real instrumental performances

I.E.M - This project developed out of Steven's interest in experimental music from the seventies. The music is not intended to have any kind of faux seventies feel, but does nevertheless draw inspiration from aspects of this music.

Jansen Barbieri Karn - Richard Barbieri has made many albums with other ex-Japan members Steve Jansen and Mick Karn

Ex-Wise Heads - A trio of P.T's Colin Edwin, former Henry Cow saxophone/flute player Geoff Leigh and multi-percussionist Vincent Salzfaas

Gavin Harrison - Gavin recorded one solo album Sanity and Gravity in the mid 90's, but has also published a drum tuition DVD and two books


Sources
http://www.porcupinetree.com
http://www.progarchives.com

Questions? Comments?
AIM : Ummagumma2004
MSN : [email]Ummagumma1969@hotmail.com[/email]

[Six Foot Revolver]

I skimmed it and it looks pretty sweet man . I will read it fully later

[Kage]

I haven't read the whole thing yet (it looks excellent, though), but it's really cool that you did this because I just bought In Absentia, and I have to say it blew me away. I love that album, I haven't stopped listening to it since I got it.

[IAJP]

Great F.A.
I just semi-skim read it, but it was great.
Well done.

[Jom]

Wow, this is quite extensive. I'll give it a thorough reading now.

I have yet to hear this band, so I will surely get a lot out of this article

[Hui_LP]

Wha...I wíll read that all, just for the fact you've put so much effort in it, will check them out as well! Great job!

[ATM]

Good work. I am going to see them in a few weeks!

[the2stranger]

well, I've read the whole thing, and thus saw a mistake (nothing big)
on the insignificance album you state: Neural Rush, but it's Neural RusT.

that's all, great FA,
spread the word about about PT people.

ps.
I've done a review on a no-man album (ST side project), but there isn't much appeal for that
I recommend checking it out, very laid back music.

[Deth]

Why does it seem that every FA is trying to outdo the last one?

It was an awesome one though, good job.

[ArC]

Originally Posted by the2stranger

I've done a review on a no-man album (ST side project), but there isn't much appeal for that
I recommend checking it out, very laid back music.

I haven't been able to find a No-Man album, i'll check that out.

Update :

I've uploaded a few songs for people to download and listen too. They are under "Recommended Songs".

[3rdplanet]

That is a fantastic job, I'm fairly new to Porcupine Tree (been listening to them for a couple of years) and this has a lot of the hard to find info I have been looking for, great stuff

[munky_magik]

Great job man.
This is a really impressive read, much <3

[Jude]

Nice. I don't like the bad rap you gave Deadwing, though. It's every bit as good as In Absentia and better in some ways. Deadwing also has no iffy songs (only a few iffy moments--the beginning of the metal part in ASBNH and the beginning of Open Car) whereas Creator Had a Mastertape was quite iffy if you ask me as was a lot of Strip the Soul. And anyone who can should catch their tours this spring and summer...May 21 in Philadelphia, baby, I can't wait!

[mexicanfloydian]

Wow excellent. You did a really great job.

[StreetlightRock]

D'amn, thats an awsome FA if ive ever seen one. Nice to hear about bands you don't normally hear about - love it.

DVG.

[TemperamentalGoat]

Have always wanted to check this band out. Thanks for the write up and the songs... loving "trains".

[Freezing Moon]

Great job, very well done. I may check them out, they sound interesting.