Spacemen 3's musical influences


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Peter Kember (aka "Sonic Boom") was the co-founder of Spacemen 3, an acid-drenched space rock band that formed in the UK in 1982. Their mantra was "Taking drugs to make music to take drugs to," resulting in some of the most beautiful psychedelia I've ever heard. I just learned via Other Music's email update that a few years ago, Sonic released a compilation of some of his favorite songs and influences. Titled "Spacelines: Sonic Sounds for Subterraneans," it's really an impressively eclectic document spanning psych-pop, soul, blues, and garage. On his own site, Sonic posted notes on each track. For me, almost every single song on the compilation is a point-of-entry for further musical exploration. The CD is readily available, but sadly the vinyl seems to be long gone. Here's the tracklist:

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The Staple Singers – This May Be the Last Time

Bo Diddley – You Don't Care

Rolf Harris – Sun Arise

The Red Krayola – Transparent Radiation

Sun Ra – Angels + Devils

Washington Phillips – Denomination Blues

Jesse Mae Hemphill – I'm So Glad

Lightnin' Hopkins – Needed Time

The Cryin Shames – Please Stay

The Zodiacs – Stay

The Wailers – She's Coming Home

Evie Sands – Can't Let Go

The Syndicats – Crawdaddy Simone

The Rays – Elevator Operator

Xavier Cugat – Perfida

The Fantastic Baggies – It Was I

White Noise – Firebird

Daniel Johnston – True Love Will Find You

Juicy Lucy – Just One Time

The Riot Squad – I Take That We're Through

Honolulu Mountain Daffodils – Psychic Hitlist Victim No. 8

John Mayall & The Bluesbreakers – Witchdoctor

MC5 – Ramblin Rose

Track notes for Spacelines (Sonic-Boom.info)

"Spacelines" (Other Music)

"Spacelines" (Amazon)