Memories from the Space Age
Washington, D.C., Washington, D.C., United States
Music
Press
D.C.’s Memories From The Space Age is about as pure rock as you’ll ?nd these days. Jagged, angular guitars and CBGBs energy may lead you to think of post-hardcore and punk rock, and that’s not off base, but the band has combined a host of other genres into its sound without losing a common thread. - nbc4.com/nbcwashington.com
Standout Track: “Eleven,” an angsty postpunk song built on odd-time signatures, slanted guitars, and ambiguous yet deeply emotive lyrics. You know, all the good stuff that helped to put D.C. back on the map in ’92. “Can’t turn us away/We’re stuck in a holding pattern,” sings singer-guitarist Jon Lyons.
Musical Motivation: Lyons and his bandmates are old hands at the post-hardcore game, having performed in bands like Greyhouse during the mid-’90s. Memories From the Space Age, which practices in Silver Spring, is an effort to carry on in that aggressive spirit while acknowledging that the members don’t want to yell their heads off anymore. “There’s a poppy element—we’re singing more than doing the punk screaming thing,” says Lyons. “We’re not as young and angry as we once were, but there’s still plenty of angst, I suppose.”
Party System: Lyons says he likes to keep his lyrics political, though not in an in-your-face way. “Our approach is to touch on issues that maybe bother us but to do it in a way that makes it open to interpretation,” he explains. There’s a good reason for this: Memories of the Space Age is not a band with political consensus—some members are more conservative than others. Rather than make an issue out of it, the band makes an effort to keep things bipartisan. “Ultimately, regardless of the political views, we have some values that are similar,” says Lyons.
Jun. 18 - 24, 2009 (Vol. 29, #25)
- Washington City Paper
Discography
Let's End This Right Here. (2009 EP) released June 17 2009
Photos
Bio
Memories from the Space Age formed in late 2007 in Washington, DC. Raised on 80s harDCore, and fed a steady diet of post-punk and post-hardcore, the band finds influence and inspiration in a wide spectrum of sounds. Guitar, bass, and keyboard lines weave effortlessly up, down, over and around each other, held together by a solid beat to create a sound that’s jagged, angular, dynamic, and atmospheric.
Their June 2009 self-released debut, “Let’s End This Right Here,” was recorded and mixed by J. Robbins (Government Issue, Jawbox, and Burning Airlines) over five days at the Magpie Cage in Baltimore, MD and mastered by T.J. Lipple at Silver Sonya in Arlington, VA.
Shortly after recording “Let’s End This Right Here”, founding member Chris D’Amore moved overseas. The band reworked much of their material to continue as a 3 piece before inviting keyboardist, and secondary drummer, Mike Sparrow to join in November 2009.
The new line up is currently working on new material and booking shows for spring of 2012.
Bassist Jeff Unger grew up in DC and played in seminal NJ post-hardcore band Greyhouse. Brian Gibson, drummer, played in Rancho Notorious (former members of Hoover, Crownhate Ruin, and Oswego) and The Perfect Souvenir (former members of 1.6 Band and Crownhate Ruin). Guitarist Jon Lyons played in various NJ punk, post-punk, and indie bands prior to relocating to the nation’s capital. Keyboardist Mike Sparrow is a native of the DC region who has played with The Perfect Souvenir and any number of forgotten ensembles.
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