Quasar (band)
Encyclopedia
Quasar was formed in 1979 by founder Keith Turner. They found themselves to be amongst a movement of British bands during the early 1980s, including Marillion
, Pendragon
, IQ
, Twelfth Night
, Solstice
and Pallas
, that continued in the progressive rock
style created by 1970s bands such as Genesis
and Yes
.
Quasar is still producing music, despite some line-up changes, and are now based in San Francisco.
They are currently working on a new album for release in 2011.
's Band Earthworks
, Steve Clarke left to tour with Billy Cobham
and Mike Kenwright left to join another band.
Quasar was soon joined by Cyrus Khajavi on guitar, on keyboard, Paul Vigrass as vocalist, Peter Ware on keyboards, Peter Shade on vibes and keyboards and Steen Doosing on drums. Keith Turner handled the bass, Moog Taurus
and twelve string guitar. In 1981 they released their debut album Fire In The Sky. After a short burst of live shows Paul Vigrass, Steen Doosing, Peter Shade and Peter Ware left the band to be replaced by Susan Robinson, who has just left Solstice, David Cairns on drums and Dillon Tonkin on keyboards.
This stable line-up did hundreds of shows over the next few years culminating in headliners at the Marquee Club
in the same months as their contemporaries, Marillion
, Pendragon
, IQ
, Twelfth Night
, Solstice
and Pallas
.
In 1985, David Cairns and Cyrus Khajavi were replaced by Dave Wagstaffe and Kevin Fitzgerald, and they recorded a track for the EMI
compilation album "Fire in Harmony" which reached number 49 in the Kerrang! rock album charts.
Sadly the strain of living on the road took its toll and some members had to be replaced again. The new members were Nick Williams ( who also wrote the lyrics to songs such as "Power In Your Hands", "As You Fall Asleep." and "The Loreli".) on vocals, Steve Leigh on keyboards and Uwe D'Rose on guitar. It was with this line-up that the band recorded what was to be their second album, a unique mix of Keith Turners glorious music and Nick Williams powerful lyrics and vocal melodies. After a few months and some of the hardest gigs known to mankind Nick Williams left and Tracy Hitchings took over Vocals.
The new album The Loreli
was started, but during recording, Steve Leigh and Uwe D'Rose left, to be replaced by Toshi Tsuchiya with guitar and Midi guitar for keyboards.
The Loreli
was completed and released in 1989 and this took the band further to perform in Europe as well as the UK. Despite this, several members left to form Landmarq
and pursue solo careers.
Quasar lay dormant for some years until in 2006 founding member Keith Turner reformed Quasar with new members Robert Hunt Robinson (vocals/keyboards), Keren Gaiser (vocals/keyboards), Greg Studley (guitars) and Paul Johnson (Drums), and a new album is expected in the near future.
Former members:
vocals
drums
guitar
keyboard
Marillion
Marillion are a British rock band, formed in Aylesbury, England in 1979. Their recorded studio output comprises sixteen albums generally regarded in two distinct eras, delineated by the departure of original vocalist & frontman Fish in late 1988, and the subsequent arrival of replacement Steve...
, Pendragon
Pendragon (band)
Pendragon are an English neo-progressive rock band established in 1978 in Stroud, Gloucestershire as Zeus Pendragon by guitarist and vocalist Nick Barrett. The Zeus was dropped before the band started recording as the members decided it was too long to look good on a t-shirt...
, IQ
IQ (band)
IQ are a British neo-progressive rock band founded by Mike Holmes and Martin Orford in 1981 following the dissolution of their original band The Lens...
, Twelfth Night
Twelfth Night (band)
Twelfth Night are an English neo-progressive rock band of the 1980s, reformed in 2007.-Formation:The seeds of Twelfth Night were sown when guitarist Andy Revell and drummer Brian Devoil joined forces on 23 February 1978 to win a talent competition at Reading University. The road crew included Geoff...
, Solstice
Solstice (UK band)
Solstice is an epic doom metal band from England, founded by Rich Walker after the breaking up of his previous hardcore punk / grindcore bands Sore Throat and Warfear...
and Pallas
Pallas (band)
Pallas are a progressive rock band based in the UK. They were one of the bands at the vanguard of what was termed neo-progressive during progressive rock's second-wave revival in the early 1980s...
, that continued in the progressive rock
Progressive rock
Progressive rock is a subgenre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s as part of a "mostly British attempt to elevate rock music to new levels of artistic credibility." John Covach, in Contemporary Music Review, says that many thought it would not just "succeed the pop of...
style created by 1970s bands such as Genesis
Genesis (band)
Genesis are an English rock band that formed in 1967. The band currently comprises the longest-tenured members Tony Banks , Mike Rutherford and Phil Collins . Past members Peter Gabriel , Steve Hackett and Anthony Phillips , also played major roles in the band in its early years...
and Yes
Yes (band)
Yes are an English rock band who achieved worldwide success with their progressive, art, and symphonic style of rock music. Regarded as one of the pioneers of the progressive genre, Yes are known for their lengthy songs, mystical lyrics, elaborate album art, and live stage sets...
.
Quasar is still producing music, despite some line-up changes, and are now based in San Francisco.
They are currently working on a new album for release in 2011.
Discography
- Fire In The Sky (1981)
- Fire in Harmony (1985)
- The LoreliThe Loreli (album)The Loreli, released in 1989, was the second studio album by neo-progressive rock group Quasar, following the album Fire In The Sky. It was released on vinyl and CD...
(1989) - Eyes of the Innocents (in production)
History
In 1979, Quasar was formed with Keith Turner and Mike Kenwright writing songs in the Progressive Rock style. They soon found Steve Clarke, John Clark and Geoff Banks and so the band began. It didn't take long for the potential of the musicians to be realised, as John Clark left to join Bill BrufordBill Bruford
William Scott "Bill" Bruford is an English drummer, percussionist, composer, producer, and record label owner. He was the original drummer for the progressive rock group Yes, from 1968-1972. Bruford has performed for numerous popular acts since the early 1970s, including a stint as touring...
's Band Earthworks
Earthworks (band)
Bill Bruford's Earthworks was a British jazz band led by drummer Bill Bruford. The band recorded several albums for Editions EG, Discipline Global Mobile and Summerfold Records....
, Steve Clarke left to tour with Billy Cobham
Billy Cobham
William C. Cobham is a Panamanian American jazz drummer, composer and bandleader, who has called Switzerland home since the late 1970s....
and Mike Kenwright left to join another band.
Quasar was soon joined by Cyrus Khajavi on guitar, on keyboard, Paul Vigrass as vocalist, Peter Ware on keyboards, Peter Shade on vibes and keyboards and Steen Doosing on drums. Keith Turner handled the bass, Moog Taurus
Moog Taurus
The Moog Taurus is a foot-operated analog synthesizer designed and manufactured by Moog Music from 1974 or 1975 to 1981. Commonly called the Taurus I, it has a 13-note organ-style pedal board similar to the pedal keyboard of a spinet organ.-History:...
and twelve string guitar. In 1981 they released their debut album Fire In The Sky. After a short burst of live shows Paul Vigrass, Steen Doosing, Peter Shade and Peter Ware left the band to be replaced by Susan Robinson, who has just left Solstice, David Cairns on drums and Dillon Tonkin on keyboards.
This stable line-up did hundreds of shows over the next few years culminating in headliners at the Marquee Club
Marquee Club
The Marquee was a music club first located at 165 Oxford Street, London, England when it opened in 1958 with a range of jazz and skiffle acts.It was also the location of the first ever live performance by The Rolling Stones on 12 July 1962....
in the same months as their contemporaries, Marillion
Marillion
Marillion are a British rock band, formed in Aylesbury, England in 1979. Their recorded studio output comprises sixteen albums generally regarded in two distinct eras, delineated by the departure of original vocalist & frontman Fish in late 1988, and the subsequent arrival of replacement Steve...
, Pendragon
Pendragon (band)
Pendragon are an English neo-progressive rock band established in 1978 in Stroud, Gloucestershire as Zeus Pendragon by guitarist and vocalist Nick Barrett. The Zeus was dropped before the band started recording as the members decided it was too long to look good on a t-shirt...
, IQ
IQ (band)
IQ are a British neo-progressive rock band founded by Mike Holmes and Martin Orford in 1981 following the dissolution of their original band The Lens...
, Twelfth Night
Twelfth Night (band)
Twelfth Night are an English neo-progressive rock band of the 1980s, reformed in 2007.-Formation:The seeds of Twelfth Night were sown when guitarist Andy Revell and drummer Brian Devoil joined forces on 23 February 1978 to win a talent competition at Reading University. The road crew included Geoff...
, Solstice
Solstice (UK band)
Solstice is an epic doom metal band from England, founded by Rich Walker after the breaking up of his previous hardcore punk / grindcore bands Sore Throat and Warfear...
and Pallas
Pallas (band)
Pallas are a progressive rock band based in the UK. They were one of the bands at the vanguard of what was termed neo-progressive during progressive rock's second-wave revival in the early 1980s...
.
In 1985, David Cairns and Cyrus Khajavi were replaced by Dave Wagstaffe and Kevin Fitzgerald, and they recorded a track for the EMI
EMI
The EMI Group, also known as EMI Music or simply EMI, is a multinational music company headquartered in London, United Kingdom. It is the fourth-largest business group and family of record labels in the recording industry and one of the "big four" record companies. EMI Group also has a major...
compilation album "Fire in Harmony" which reached number 49 in the Kerrang! rock album charts.
Sadly the strain of living on the road took its toll and some members had to be replaced again. The new members were Nick Williams ( who also wrote the lyrics to songs such as "Power In Your Hands", "As You Fall Asleep." and "The Loreli".) on vocals, Steve Leigh on keyboards and Uwe D'Rose on guitar. It was with this line-up that the band recorded what was to be their second album, a unique mix of Keith Turners glorious music and Nick Williams powerful lyrics and vocal melodies. After a few months and some of the hardest gigs known to mankind Nick Williams left and Tracy Hitchings took over Vocals.
The new album The Loreli
The Loreli (album)
The Loreli, released in 1989, was the second studio album by neo-progressive rock group Quasar, following the album Fire In The Sky. It was released on vinyl and CD...
was started, but during recording, Steve Leigh and Uwe D'Rose left, to be replaced by Toshi Tsuchiya with guitar and Midi guitar for keyboards.
The Loreli
The Loreli (album)
The Loreli, released in 1989, was the second studio album by neo-progressive rock group Quasar, following the album Fire In The Sky. It was released on vinyl and CD...
was completed and released in 1989 and this took the band further to perform in Europe as well as the UK. Despite this, several members left to form Landmarq
Landmarq
Landmarq are a UK-based neo-progressive rock band. Since forming in 1990, they have so far released six albums, two of which were recorded live at various concerts in the UK and elsewhere in Europe....
and pursue solo careers.
Quasar lay dormant for some years until in 2006 founding member Keith Turner reformed Quasar with new members Robert Hunt Robinson (vocals/keyboards), Keren Gaiser (vocals/keyboards), Greg Studley (guitars) and Paul Johnson (Drums), and a new album is expected in the near future.
Lineup
Current Lineup:- Robert Hunt Robinson - 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...
, keyboardKeyboard instrumentA keyboard instrument is a musical instrument which is played using a musical keyboard. The most common of these is the piano. Other widely used keyboard instruments include organs of various types as well as other mechanical, electromechanical and electronic instruments...
s, (joined 2007) - Keren Gaiser - 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...
, keyboardKeyboard instrumentA keyboard instrument is a musical instrument which is played using a musical keyboard. The most common of these is the piano. Other widely used keyboard instruments include organs of various types as well as other mechanical, electromechanical and electronic instruments...
s, (joined 2009) - Greg Studley - electric and acoustic guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
s - (Joined 2009) - Keith Turner - bass guitarBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
, Moog TaurusMoog TaurusThe Moog Taurus is a foot-operated analog synthesizer designed and manufactured by Moog Music from 1974 or 1975 to 1981. Commonly called the Taurus I, it has a 13-note organ-style pedal board similar to the pedal keyboard of a spinet organ.-History:...
, Twelve-string guitar (Founding Member) - Paul Johnson - drumDrumThe drum is a member of the percussion group of musical instruments, which is technically classified as the membranophones. Drums consist of at least one membrane, called a drumhead or drum skin, that is stretched over a shell and struck, either directly with the player's hands, or with a...
s, percussion (joined 2011)
Former members:
vocals
Singing
Singing 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...
- Mike Kenwright
- Paul Vigrass
- Susan Robinson
- Nick Williams
- Tracy Hitchings
drums
Drum kit
A 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 ....
- Steve Clarke
- Steen Doosing
- David Cairns
- David Wagstaffe
- PJ Shadowhawk
guitar
Guitar
The guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
- John Clark
- Cyrus Khajavi
- Kevin Fitzgerald
- Uwe D'Rose
- Toshi Tsuchiya
keyboard
Keyboard instrument
A keyboard instrument is a musical instrument which is played using a musical keyboard. The most common of these is the piano. Other widely used keyboard instruments include organs of various types as well as other mechanical, electromechanical and electronic instruments...
- Geoff Banks
- Peter Ware
- Peter Shade
- Dillon Tonkin
- Steve Leigh