Spy Glass Blue

Spy Glass Blue
Origin Dallas, Texas, USA
Genres Post-punk, new wave
Years active 1995–present
Labels Accidental Sirens, Organic Records, Pinnacle Records, Flying Tart
Members Allan Aguirre

Spy Glass Blue is an American post-punk/new wave/Britpop band formed by Allan Aguirre of Scaterd Few, 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 (CCM).[1] In the words of the Encyclopedia of Contemporary Christian Music, Spy Glass Blue is a "rare example of Christian goth music."[2] As Allan's solo effort, shows Allan's artier ("mellower, artistic")[2][3] side where Scaterd Few showed his edgier side. Aguirre likens the bands presence to the restructuring of other Christian Alternative bands: Mortal to Fold Zandura or the Crucified to Stavesacre.[3]

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 contains a gothic rock musical style that swings between "light and airy", "dark, haunting, moody",[2] and psychedelic. Spy Glass Blue originally intended to have more of a pop based sound, like "Sade and Seal meets Peter Murphy,"[3] of the goth scene Aguirre comments "gothic is one tenth of what we do."[3]

According to one reviewer "Shadows plays mind games with the listener" with its music and deep lyrics.[4] Lyrically it hides its deep meanings in a way that is "sometimes hard to follow."[4] An example is in the song "Stygan", which hides the dangers of stumbling in faith in the words "apostolic apostasy".[4] The overall theme of the album is "the confusion of life without Christ."[2]

On Loud as Feathers the vocals lean more toward David Bowie than Peter Murphy.[5]

Band members

1996-97

2001

2003

Discography

Additionally, a track was recorded for a second installment of the Terry Scott Taylor tribute disc When Worlds Collide: A Tribute to Daniel Amos. The disc was never released, but Aguirres’ “When Worlds Collide” is available for download. Kane Kelly started Dark Matter and the Cosmic String in 2004 and is currently working with the Texas Punktry and Western band Sleepin' Rattlers. Kane previously worked with Greyskull, Society's Finest, Between Thieves, Shiloh and Blood on the Moors.

References

  1. ↑ (The) Kern County Kid (January–February 2002). "Massivivid". HM Magazine (93): 14. Accidental Sirens label honcho, the legendary "Godfather of ACM," Allan Aguirre...
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Powell, Mark Allan (2002). "Spy Glass Blue". Encyclopedia of Contemporary Christian Music (First printing ed.). Peabody, Massachusetts: Hendrickson Publishers. p. 859. ISBN 1-56563-679-1.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Bonham, Chad (November–December 1997). "bankshots: Spy Glass Blue". 7ball (15): 47. ISSN 1082-3980.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Boggs, Nadine (September–October 1997). "Tools / Music / Shadows". Youthworker XVI (1): 64. ISSN 0747-3486.
  5. ↑ Hill, Don (2002). "Music Reviews / Loud As Feathers". Cornerstone 31 (123): 48. ISSN 0275-2743.

External links