Spaced Out... is an original instrumental progressive band that plays music on its own terms and rules. Their music is disciplined, but gives each musician the freedom to improvise and express himself freely. The group ignores pop music clichés and music industry standards; and highlights complex rhythm patterns, eclectic melodies and innovative arrangements. If they can be classified- they are called Prog fusion. The band has many influences which include: Keith Emerson, Jan Hammer, Eddie Jobson, John Mclaughlin, Frank Zappa, Allan Holdsworth, Igor Stravinsky, Sergey Prokofiev and Bélà Bartok.
Though a young band, Spaced Out can trace its roots back to 1994 to a band called Cortex. Teenager Antoine Fafard- a talented bass player was studying and playing bass when he and his older brother Olivier, a drummer, put Cortex together with school mate Mathieu Bouchard on guitar. Between 1994 and 1996, the trio recorded 3 demos, the third being "Trophallaxie", a song that would eventually end up on SO's second album. Band name changes occurred before they settled on 'Spaced Out.'
After the third demo, the trio became a quintet when Eric St-Jean joined the group to play keyboards (sequencers had been used up until then), and Vincent Pellerin came on board to play saxophone, his interest (as well as Oliver's) in staying with the band was short- as they wanted to pursue other musical interests. Benoit Verdant came as in Olivier's replacement but his stay was brief, serving only to inspire the song "Green Teeth" (on `Spaced Out' album).
After some touring, Olivier rejoined the band, but Eric left, leaving Spaced Out to again use sequencers. Another two- song demo was recorded before Olivier said goodbye for the second time.
In 1998, Drummer- Martin Maheux, who had just quit the local french pop group Fouille-moé, joined the band armed with a lot of studio experience. Six new 6 demo songs were recorded and as the demo sound was of good quality, the band decided it would become their first official album. Antoine set up a web site to promote the band. Though initial sales were minimal, it did however spark the interest of a small independent local progressive label, Unicorn Records. Before a deal with the label was inked in 1999, Martin went on a national tour with franco-Saskatchewan pop act PolyEsther and Antoine was involved in music for T .V. production.
When Spaced Out got back together Mathieu Bouchard left the band and Louis Coté was brought on board to take over on guitar. Éric St-Jean returned to become the bands permanent keyboard player. Adding 4 more songs to the six; Unicorn Records in the fall of 2000 released the first official album, 'Spaced Out.'
Local gigs followed and record sales slowly grew. Antoine immediately started writing new material (including one song with Martin Maheux, now Antoine's right- hand man) and recording for the second album began in the winter of 2001. After a longer tour, their second album- 'Eponymus II' was released in July 2001. The band supported their album with many gigs.
Antoine has finished writing new material for a 2002 release already named- `Slow Gin.' Martin is also in the process of putting the final touches on a solo jazz album, 'The Physics of Light'
On June, 30th 2002, Spaced Out played a fantastic set at Nearfest 2002 with guitarist Mark Tremblay, who fits into the band perfectly. After their gig, Spaced were very nice to chat with and seemed to sell quite a few albums, hopefully spreading the work about their band and their talents,
Antoine Fafard is looking forward to creating The Spaced Out Orchestra in the near-future. This project will include 25 musicians from both the classical & jazz world who will play the same material as that of the band with new arrangements & orchestrations.
`Slow Gin,' was released in January 2003. Followed by a DVD. Videophiles beware, though the band plays well, this is a poorly edited mess, with limited cameras, the shots are Star Wars quick... and ruins the pace as well as the performance. For fans only.
On July 10, 2006, Spaced Out releasedthe new CD entitled `Unstable Matter,' which includes more instrumentation by Antoine Fafard. The band is playing their first gig in France this summer.
In 2007, the band released a new DVD/CD of a live gig at the Crescendo, and a new album followed called `Evolution.'
Spaced Out offers a style of music where aspects such as rhythm, harmony and melody have been carefully thought out and composed with the goal of bringing this style to life. Through the well structured forms, the players are free to express their personality with improvised solos. In their repertoire, polyrhythmic patterns combined with modal colors form a unique music which is instantly recognisable. Influences from musicians and composers from the jazz, rock, metal & contemporary music world have played a big part in the music created and produced by S O. The level of intensity produced by this instrumental music band is to such a high degree, that the listener is undoubtedly left spellbound.
Live At The Crescendo Festival 2007
Evolution2008
Videos
Live In 2000 (DVD-V) 2005
Live At The Crescendo Festival (DVDr, DVD-V, NTSC) 2007
