Spy Glass Blue is an American
post-punk
Post-punk (originally called new musick) is a broad genre of punk music that emerged in the late 1970s as musicians departed from punk's traditional elements and raw simplicity, instead adopting a variety of avant-garde sensibilities and non-r ...
/
new wave/
Britpop
Britpop was a mid-1990s British-based music culture movement that emphasised Britishness. It produced brighter, catchier alternative rock, partly in reaction to the popularity of the darker lyrical themes of the US-led grunge music and to the ...
band formed by Allan Aguirre of
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.
History ''Sin Disease'' ...
, is credited for legitimizing and authenticating the post-punk genre in
Christian alternative music (ACM) much in the same way that Scaterd Few defined punk rock in
Contemporary Christian music
Contemporary Christian music, also known as CCM, Christian pop, and occasionally inspirational music is a genre of modern popular music, and an aspect of Christian media, which is lyrically focused on matters related to the Christian faith and ...
(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 band's presence to the restructuring of other Christian Alternative bands:
Mortal to
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 Morta ...
or
the Crucified
The Crucified is an American Christian hardcore and crossover thrash 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 band are consider ...
to
Stavesacre
Stavesacre are an American rock band from Huntington Beach, California formed in 1995. The band is composed of vocalist Mark Salomon, guitarists Jeff Bellew and Ryan Dennee, bassist Dirk Lemmenes and drummer Sam West.
Stavesacre has released ...
.
Background
Spy Glass Blue was founded in 1995 and immediately released a self-titled vinyl EP. Their first album was released the next year, but because of record label issues did not achieve widespread distribution until 1997. ''Shadows'' contain a
gothic rock musical style that swings between "light and airy", "dark, haunting, moody",
and
psychedelic
Psychedelics are a subclass of hallucinogenic drugs whose primary effect is to trigger non-ordinary states of consciousness (known as psychedelic experiences or "trips").Pollan, Michael (2018). ''How to Change Your Mind: What the New Science ...
. 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.
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 Blue'' (1995)
*''
Shadows
A shadow is a dark area where light from a light source is blocked by an opaque object. It occupies all of the three-dimensional volume behind an object with light in front of it. The cross section of a shadow is a two-dimensional silhouette, ...
'' (1996)
*''
Loud As Feathers'' (2001)
*''The Blue EP'' (2003)
Additionally, a track was recorded for a second installment of the
Terry Scott Taylor
Terry Scott Taylor (born May 24, 1950) is an American songwriter, record producer, writer and founding member of the bands Daniel Amos and The Swirling Eddies (credited as Camarillo Eddy). Taylor is also a member of the roots and alternative ...
tribute disc ''
When Worlds Collide: A Tribute to Daniel Amos''. The disc was never released, but Aguirres’ “When Worlds Collide” is availabl
for download
References
External links
Official Web SiteSpy Glass Blue @ PurevolumeAccidental Sirens
- Includes samples and some full song downloads
Allan Aguirres' Personal Blog - Silver Plated BoyAllan Aguirre @ MySpace
{{Authority control
American new wave musical groups
American post-punk music groups
Christian punk groups
Christian rock groups from Texas
Musical groups from Dallas
Musical groups established in 1995