Altered State was a progressive rock band based in
Huntington Beach
Huntington Beach is a seaside city in Orange County in Southern California, located southeast of Downtown Los Angeles. The city is named after American businessman Henry E. Huntington. The population was 198,711 during the 2020 census, maki ...
, CA. Influenced by
Pink Floyd
Pink Floyd are an English rock band formed in London in 1965. Gaining an early following as one of the first British psychedelic groups, they were distinguished by their extended compositions, sonic experimentation, philosophical lyrics an ...
,
Rush,
Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin were an English rock band formed in London in 1968. The group comprised vocalist Robert Plant, guitarist Jimmy Page, bassist/keyboardist John Paul Jones, and drummer John Bonham. With a heavy, guitar-driven sound, they are c ...
and
U2. Altered State has been described as "an inventive band with unique arrangements, melodic vocals and great harmonies."
History
Altered State was formed in 1990 in
Huntington Beach, CA by vocalist/guitarist
Gregory Markel, drummer Chip Moreland and guitarist Curtis Mathewson, previously performing together in the band Show of Hands. In 1990, Altered State signed with
Warner Bros. Records
1991 the band released their
eponymous debut album and the first single, ''Step Into My Groove''. The 1992 single ''Ghost Beside My Bed,'' went #1 at Rock Radio in several states in the U.S. It was the most requested song on KQLZ Pirate Radio, the station set up a special show for the band at The Roxy in Hollywood, CA.
Gregory Markel's performance that night is highlighted in Vicki Hamilton's book
Appetite for Dysfunction: A Cautionary Tale''
In 1993 the band released ''
: os''.
Members
*
Gregory Markel - Lead vocals, guitar (1990–1995)
*Chip Moreland -
drums
A drum kit (also called a drum set, trap set, or simply drums) is a collection of drums, cymbals, and other auxiliary percussion instruments set up to be played by one person. The player (drummer) typically holds a pair of matching drumsticks ...
,
vocals
Singing is the act of creating musical sounds with the voice. A person who sings is called a singer, artist or vocalist (in jazz and/or popular music). Singers perform music (arias, recitatives, songs, etc.) that can be sung with or witho ...
,(1990–1995)
*Curtis Mathewson - Guitar,
vocals
Singing is the act of creating musical sounds with the voice. A person who sings is called a singer, artist or vocalist (in jazz and/or popular music). Singers perform music (arias, recitatives, songs, etc.) that can be sung with or witho ...
, keyboards (1990–1994)
*Riz Story - Bass (Debut tour) (1991-1992)
*Paul Edwards - Bass (1992 - 1994)
Discography
*''
Altered State'' (August 27, 1991)
*''
: os'' (October 5, 1993)
Singles
* "
Step Into My Groove
''Step Into My Groove'' is the first single released by the band Altered State. Written by Gregory Markel
Gregory Markel is a former Warner Bros. artist, founder of Infuse Creative, LLC, Grammy-nominated singer, and current member of alt-roc ...
" (1991)
* "Step Into My Groove" -Psychedelic Mix & Psychedelic Instrumental (1991)
* "
Ghost Beside My Bed
''Ghost Beside My Bed'' is a song written by Gregory Markel of the American progressive rock band Altered State, and was released on their 1991 debut album, '' Altered State''. The song was released as the second single on Feb 2, 1992. The lyrics ...
" (1992)
* "Strong As I Am"/"Strong As I Am" -Acoustic (1993)
* "Life on a Skateboard" (1994)
* "Darkness Visible" (1994)
Videos
* "Step Into My Groove" (1991)
* "Telemusica: Altered State ''Step Into My Groove'' interview" (1991)
* "Can You Hear My Voice" -1988 Rough Demo/Band Footage (2013)
* "Ghost Beside My Bed" 20th Anniversary Video Interview (2014)
Demos/Live Releases
* "Made of Gasoline" -1992 Rough Demo (1993)
* "End Summer" -1992 Rough Demo (2012)
* "Can You Hear My Voice" -1988 Rough Demo (2012)
* "Hyper-Violence" -1992 4 Track Demo (2012)
* "Walkin' With The Wounded" -Home Rough Sketch Demo (2014)
* "Until The Music Ends" -WLLZ Live from The Magic Bag 1992 (2015)
Songs covered by other artists
*
Lane Lane (2000) - ''Ballad Collection II'' and ''Ballad Collection Special Edition -'' "Ghost Beside My Bed"
* Divinorum (2006) - ''Ravensong'' - "Life on a Skateboard"
* Rusty Anderson/Gregory Markel (2005) - ''Live OC Pavillion'' - "Ghost Beside My Bed"
References
External links
alteredstate.com
{{DEFAULTSORT:Altered State (Band)
Rock music groups from California