Spy Glass Blue
Encyclopedia
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
. In the words of the Encyclopedia of Contemporary Christian Music, Spy Glass Blue is a "rare example of Christian goth music." As Allan's solo effort, shows Allan's artier ("mellower, artistic") side where Scaterd Few showed his edgier side. Aguirre likens the bands presence to the restructuring of other Christian Alternative bands: Mortal
to Fold Zandura
or the Crucified
to Stavesacre
.
musical style that swings between "light and airy", "dark, haunting, moody", and psychedelic
. Spy Glass Blue originally intended to have more of a pop based sound, like "Sade and Seal meets Peter Murphy
," of the goth scene Aguirre comments "gothic is one tenth of what we do."
According to one reviewer "Shadows plays mind games with the listener" with its music and deep lyrics. Lyrically it hides its deep meanings in a way that is "sometimes hard to follow." An example is in the song "Stygan", which hides the dangers of stumbling in faith in the words "apostolic apostasy". The overall theme of the album is "the confusion of life without Christ."
On Loud as Feathers the vocals lean more toward David Bowie than Peter Murphy.
2001
2003
Additionally, a track was recorded for a second installment of the Terry Scott Taylor
tribute disc When Worlds Collide: A Tribute to Daniel Amos
. The disc was never released, but Aguirres’ “When Worlds Collide” is available for download. Kane Kelly started Dark Matter and the Cosmic String in 2004 and is currently working with the Texas Punk rock band Greyskull. Kane has also worked with such bands as Society's Finest, 1999 Dove award nominees Between Thieves and Shiloh and the seminal Texas metal band Blood on the Moors.
Post-punk
Post-punk is a rock music movement with its roots in the late 1970s, following on the heels of the initial punk rock explosion of the mid-1970s. The genre retains its roots in the punk movement but is more introverted, complex and experimental...
/ New Wave
New Wave music
New Wave is a subgenre of :rock music that emerged in the mid to late 1970s alongside punk rock. The term at first generally was synonymous with punk rock before being considered a genre in its own right that incorporated aspects of electronic and experimental music, mod subculture, disco and 1960s...
/ Brit Pop band formed by Allan Aguirre of 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:...
, 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
Contemporary Christian music
Contemporary Christian music is a genre of modern popular music which is lyrically focused on matters concerned with the Christian faith...
. In the words of the Encyclopedia of Contemporary Christian Music, Spy Glass Blue is a "rare example of Christian goth music." As Allan's solo effort, shows Allan's artier ("mellower, artistic") side where Scaterd Few showed his edgier side. Aguirre likens the bands presence to the restructuring of other Christian Alternative bands: Mortal
Mortal (band)
Mortal was a Christian industrial/dance band fronted by Jerome Fontamillas and Jyro Xhan. Both members went on to found the alternative rock group Fold Zandura, and for a time were members of both bands simultaneously...
to Fold Zandura
Fold Zandura
Fold Zandura is an alternative rock band from California. They released four albums between 1995 and 1999 plus one white 7" vinyl. Each album was released under a different label. The two premier members also founded the industrial band Mortal. Their songs are "love songs and praise songs"...
or the Crucified
The Crucified
The Crucified is an American Christian crossover thrash metal band from Fresno, California that formed in 1984. Its lineup is vocalist Mark Salomon, guitarist Greg Minier, bassist Jeff Bellew, and drummer Jim Chaffin. The Crucified released two studio albums and three demos...
to Stavesacre
Stavesacre
Stavesacre was an American rock band from Huntington Beach, California formed in 1995. The band was composed of vocalist Mark Salomon, guitarists Jeff Bellew and Ryan Dennee, bassist Dirk Lemmenes and drummer Sam West....
.
Background
Spy Glass Blue was founded in 1995 and immediately released a self titled vinyl EP. Their first album was releasd the next year, but because of record label issues did not achieve widespread distribution until 1997. Shadows contains a gothic rockGothic rock
Gothic rock is a musical subgenre of post-punk and alternative rock that formed during the late 1970s. Gothic rock bands grew from the strong ties they had to the English punk rock and emerging post-punk scenes...
musical style that swings between "light and airy", "dark, haunting, moody", and psychedelic
Psychedelic music
Psychedelic music covers a range of popular music styles and genres, which are inspired by or influenced by psychedelic culture and which attempt to replicate and enhance the mind-altering experiences of psychedelic drugs. It emerged during the mid 1960s among folk rock and blues-rock bands in the...
. Spy Glass Blue originally intended to have more of a pop based sound, like "Sade and Seal meets Peter Murphy
Peter Murphy (musician)
Peter John Murphy is an English rock vocalist. He was the vocalist of the rock group Bauhaus, and later went on to release a number of solo albums, such as Deep and Love Hysteria...
," of the goth scene Aguirre comments "gothic is one tenth of what we do."
According to one reviewer "Shadows plays mind games with the listener" with its music and deep lyrics. Lyrically it hides its deep meanings in a way that is "sometimes hard to follow." An example is in the song "Stygan", which hides the dangers of stumbling in faith in the words "apostolic apostasy". The overall theme of the album is "the confusion of life without Christ."
On Loud as Feathers the vocals lean more toward David Bowie than Peter Murphy.
Band members
1996-97- Drums: Kris Rosentrater
- Bass: River Tunnell
- Keyboards: Joshua Pyle (Audio Paradox)
- Guitar: Kane Kelly
2001
- Drums: Kris Rosentrater
- Bass: River Tunnell
- Guitar: Kane Kelly
2003
- Drums: Jason Perez
- Bass: Danny
- Bass: Brian May
- Guitar: Sergio
- Guitar: Stephen Bellinski
Discography
- Spy Glass BlueSpy Glass Blue (EP)Spy Glass Blue is the first EP released by Spy Glass Blue. It was released in 1995 as a 7" Vinyl Record.-Track listing:# "Thin and Leaner"# "Lodging"# "Stygian"# "Tell"# "Ignorant Side"...
(1995) - ShadowsShadows (Spy Glass Blue album)Shadows is Spy Glass Blue's first full-length studio album. It was first released in May, 1996 on Pinnacle Records. Its second release was in September, 1997 on Organic Records.-Track listing:# "Thin And Leaner"# "Lodging"# "In Sultry Places"...
(1996) - Loud As FeathersLoud as FeathersLoud As Feathers is Spy Glass Blue's second full-length studio album. Its sound leans toward a "space rock vibe" with David Bowieesque vocals...
(2001) - The Blue EPThe Blue EPThe 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...
(2003)
Additionally, a track was recorded for a second installment of the Terry Scott Taylor
Terry Scott Taylor
Terry Scott Taylor is an American songwriter, record producer, writer and founding member of the bands Daniel Amos and The Swirling Eddies . Taylor is also a member of the roots and alternative music group, Lost Dogs. He is currently based in San Jose, California, USA.Taylor is highly regarded for...
tribute disc When Worlds Collide: A Tribute to Daniel Amos
When Worlds Collide: A Tribute to Daniel Amos
When Worlds Collide: A Tribute to Daniel Amos is an indie tribute album by a variety of artists that pays musical tribute to the band Daniel Amos and its chief songwriter Terry Scott Taylor. It was released in July 2000 by Ferris Wheel....
. The disc was never released, but Aguirres’ “When Worlds Collide” is available for download. Kane Kelly started Dark Matter and the Cosmic String in 2004 and is currently working with the Texas Punk rock band Greyskull. Kane has also worked with such bands as Society's Finest, 1999 Dove award nominees Between Thieves and Shiloh and the seminal Texas metal band Blood on the Moors.
External links
- Official Web Site
- Spy Glass Blue @ Purevolume
- Accidental Sirens
- Discography - Includes samples and some full song downloads
- Allan Aguirres' Professional Blog
- Allan Aguirres' Personal Blog - Silver Plated Boy
- Allan Aguirre @ MySpace