Grandmother's Spaceship
Encyclopedia
Grandmother's Spaceship the third a studio album by pioneer Christian punk
band Scaterd Few
. Lyrically the album is themed, referencing "aliens
, the cyber-age and other extra-terrestrial
things," while staying centered on the ultimate truth of renewed life in Christ. Several lyrics draw their themes directly from scripture. Musically it is more diverse than most punk albums, encompassing reggae, aggressive punk, funk, and a "slight Gothic overtone" similar to Allan's alternate band, Spy Glass Blue
. While at least one critic thought the album "failed to capture the essence" that Sin Disease
displayed, most reviews were positive. The album was written over two years and recorded in three weeks.
. According to Allan because man is separated from God and so has lost his true identity. In this unnatural state mankind tends toward pagan activities, destroying himself through his vice
s, in an attempt to find his true identity. This condition is exacerbated by the conditions of the 21st century - a world of information overload
where "Major Tom
is now an info monk." Humans are said to be a "Species filled with anti-matter." Perhaps the clearest expression of this idea is in "Bobby's Song," which tells the story of a family preparing to leave Earth
by way of alien abduction. The story is similar to that of the Heaven's Gate
cult; one reviewer describes this as "the story of humankind's misplaced yearning for extraordinary salvation from all sources other than the Universal King."
The album's answer is that Christ can restore man to his natural state of communion
with God. Allan speaks directly to the world in pleading "Wake up, sleeper!" (echoing Ephesians 5:14, on "Lullaby") and drawing from Mark
1:17 in "Win The Fisher" ("If you follow me, I'll make you fisher's of men.") In Christ Agiurre offers "Death! Where is your sting?!" (from, "Incorruptible", 1 Corinthians 15:55) as a triumphant victory cry over the corruption world.
Grandmother's space theme has been interpreted in two related ways: that believers are "not of this world," and that the world
increasingly alienates believers as unwelcome. In this vein "As The Story Grows V.2" is a continuation of the theme set forth on "As The Story Grows" (Sin Disease
), and "Space Junk" is most exploratory. These songs restate both questions posed to belevers by the outside world (such as "How can you believe in a God that would let small children suffer?"), and the world's angry reply back to Christians ("We love the smell of hell / How dare you try to tell us that / He died to set us free / ...Take your cross and let us be".)
The album also contains elements of praise and worship music, albeit in a punk fashion, which was, according to Aguirre, "a very conscious decision." The best of these are probably "Splendor" and "Arbitrator", which draws from Psalm 139
, and was remade by Spy Glass Blue on their 2003 release The Blue EP
.
Also Featuring:
Christian punk
Christian punk is a form of Christian music and a subgenre of punk rock with some degree of Christian lyrical content. Much disagreement persists about the boundaries of the subgenre, and the extent that their lyrics are explicitly Christian varies among bands...
band Scaterd Few
Scaterd Few
Scaterd Few was a Christian punk band originating from Burbank, California. CCM magazine described their music as "pure punk for dread people," stating that it was a cross between Janes Addiction and Charlie Mingus.-Sin Disease era:...
. Lyrically the album is themed, referencing "aliens
Extraterrestrial life
Extraterrestrial life is defined as life that does not originate from Earth...
, the cyber-age and other extra-terrestrial
Extraterrestrial life
Extraterrestrial life is defined as life that does not originate from Earth...
things," while staying centered on the ultimate truth of renewed life in Christ. Several lyrics draw their themes directly from scripture. Musically it is more diverse than most punk albums, encompassing reggae, aggressive punk, funk, and a "slight Gothic overtone" similar to Allan's alternate band, Spy Glass Blue
Spy Glass Blue
Spy Glass Blue, a Post-punk / New Wave / Brit Pop band formed by Allan Aguirre of Scaterd Few, is credited for legitimizing and authenticating the Post Punk genre in ACM much in the same way that Scaterd Few defined Punk Rock in CCM...
. While at least one critic thought the album "failed to capture the essence" that Sin Disease
Sin Disease
Sin Disease was Scaterd Few's first full-length studio album. CCM magazine described the release as "pure punk for dread people," stating that it was a cross between Jane's Addiction and Charlie Mingus.-Track listing:# "Kill the Sarx"...
displayed, most reviews were positive. The album was written over two years and recorded in three weeks.
Lyrical themes
Lyrically, the album paints a cohesive picture of mankind in a technological societyPhilosophy of technology
The philosophy of technology is a philosophical field dedicated to studying the nature of technology and its social effects.- History :Considered under the rubric of the Greek term techne , the philosophy of technology goes to the very roots of Western philosophy.* In his Republic, Plato sees...
. According to Allan because man is separated from God and so has lost his true identity. In this unnatural state mankind tends toward pagan activities, destroying himself through his vice
Vice
Vice is a practice or a behavior or habit considered immoral, depraved, or degrading in the associated society. In more minor usage, vice can refer to a fault, a defect, an infirmity, or merely a bad habit. Synonyms for vice include fault, depravity, sin, iniquity, wickedness, and corruption...
s, in an attempt to find his true identity. This condition is exacerbated by the conditions of the 21st century - a world of information overload
Information overload
"Information overload" is a term popularized by Alvin Toffler in his bestselling 1970 book Future Shock. It refers to the difficulty a person can have understanding an issue and making decisions that can be caused by the presence of too much information...
where "Major Tom
Major Tom
Major Tom is a fictional astronaut created by David Bowie, heard in his songs "Space Oddity," "Ashes to Ashes," and "Hallo Spaceboy." Bowie's own interpretation of the character evolved throughout his career. 1969's "Space Oddity" depicts an astronaut who casually slips the bonds of a crass and...
is now an info monk." Humans are said to be a "Species filled with anti-matter." Perhaps the clearest expression of this idea is in "Bobby's Song," which tells the story of a family preparing to leave Earth
Earth
Earth is the third planet from the Sun, and the densest and fifth-largest of the eight planets in the Solar System. It is also the largest of the Solar System's four terrestrial planets...
by way of alien abduction. The story is similar to that of the Heaven's Gate
Heaven's Gate (religious group)
Heaven's Gate was an American UFO religion based in San Diego, California, founded and led by Marshall Applewhite and Bonnie Nettles...
cult; one reviewer describes this as "the story of humankind's misplaced yearning for extraordinary salvation from all sources other than the Universal King."
The album's answer is that Christ can restore man to his natural state of communion
Communion (Christian)
The term communion is derived from Latin communio . The corresponding term in Greek is κοινωνία, which is often translated as "fellowship". In Christianity, the basic meaning of the term communion is an especially close relationship of Christians, as individuals or as a Church, with God and with...
with God. Allan speaks directly to the world in pleading "Wake up, sleeper!" (echoing Ephesians 5:14, on "Lullaby") and drawing from Mark
Gospel of Mark
The Gospel According to Mark , commonly shortened to the Gospel of Mark or simply Mark, is the second book of the New Testament. This canonical account of the life of Jesus of Nazareth is one of the three synoptic gospels. It was thought to be an epitome, which accounts for its place as the second...
1:17 in "Win The Fisher" ("If you follow me, I'll make you fisher's of men.") In Christ Agiurre offers "Death! Where is your sting?!" (from, "Incorruptible", 1 Corinthians 15:55) as a triumphant victory cry over the corruption world.
Grandmother's space theme has been interpreted in two related ways: that believers are "not of this world," and that the world
World (theology)
-Christian views on the World:In Christianity, the concept connotes the fallen and corrupt world order of human society. The world is frequently cited alongside the flesh and the Devil as a source of temptation that Christians should flee...
increasingly alienates believers as unwelcome. In this vein "As The Story Grows V.2" is a continuation of the theme set forth on "As The Story Grows" (Sin Disease
Sin Disease
Sin Disease was Scaterd Few's first full-length studio album. CCM magazine described the release as "pure punk for dread people," stating that it was a cross between Jane's Addiction and Charlie Mingus.-Track listing:# "Kill the Sarx"...
), and "Space Junk" is most exploratory. These songs restate both questions posed to belevers by the outside world (such as "How can you believe in a God that would let small children suffer?"), and the world's angry reply back to Christians ("We love the smell of hell / How dare you try to tell us that / He died to set us free / ...Take your cross and let us be".)
The album also contains elements of praise and worship music, albeit in a punk fashion, which was, according to Aguirre, "a very conscious decision." The best of these are probably "Splendor" and "Arbitrator", which draws from Psalm 139
Psalm 139
Psalm 139 is the 139th psalm from the Book of Psalms. It is ascribed to David. It is known for its affirmation of God's omnipresence:New American bible version:O LORD, you have probed me, you know me:...
, and was remade by Spy Glass Blue on their 2003 release The Blue EP
The Blue EP
The Blue EP is the latest material released by Spy Glass Blue.-Track listing:# "Mercy"# "One and Only"# "Stymie"# "Come Away"# "I Will Love You"# "Vacant Places"- Credits :*Allan Aguirre: Vocals, Guitars*Sergio deLeon: Guitars*Brian May: Bass...
.
Track listing
- "Intro"
- "Space Junk"
- "Lullaby"
- "Win The Fisher"
- "Arbitrator"
- "Future Love"
- "Species"
- "Incorruptible"
- "Vanishing"
- "(Untitled Oddity)"
- "Suspension My Love"
- "Bobby's Song"
- "Twinkling Of An Eye"
- "Worm Hole"
- "Splendor"
- "As The Story Grows (v.2)"
- "Tomorrow"
Credits
- Allan Aguirre: vocalsSingingSinging is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, and augments regular speech by the use of both tonality and rhythm. One who sings is called a singer or vocalist. Singers perform music known as songs that can be sung either with or without accompaniment by musical instruments...
, Acoustic Guitar, KeyboardSynthesizerA synthesizer is an electronic instrument capable of producing sounds by generating electrical signals of different frequencies. These electrical signals are played through a loudspeaker or set of headphones... - Russell Archer: Electric GuitarElectric guitarAn electric guitar is a guitar that uses the principle of direct electromagnetic induction to convert vibrations of its metal strings into electric audio signals. The signal generated by an electric guitar is too weak to drive a loudspeaker, so it is amplified before sending it to a loudspeaker...
, Special Effect, Keyboard, Background Vocals - Steve Martens: drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
, percussionPercussion instrumentA percussion instrument is any object which produces a sound when hit with an implement or when it is shaken, rubbed, scraped, or otherwise acted upon in a way that sets the object into vibration... - Steven Meigs: Bass GuitarBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
Also Featuring:
- Cristina Aguirre: Background Vocals in "Vanishing"
- Corin Aguirre: as Bobby in "Bobby's Song"
- Lee Harbaugh: TromboneTromboneThe trombone is a musical instrument in the brass family. Like all brass instruments, sound is produced when the player’s vibrating lips cause the air column inside the instrument to vibrate...
- Diane Morren: as Grandmother in "Bobby's Song"
- Joshua Pyle: Keyboards, SamplingSampling (music)In music, sampling is the act of taking a portion, or sample, of one sound recording and reusing it as an instrument or a different sound recording of a song or piece. Sampling was originally developed by experimental musicians working with musique concrète and electroacoustic music, who physically...
External links
- Hard Music Magazine interview with Allan Aguirre.