Nineties indie icons unrecognisable 27 years after hit single, split and bandmate’s mysterious death
BRITPOP music giants Space are unrecognisable now – nearly three decades after their huge hit.
The Female of the Species rockers formed in 1993 and endured a rollercoaster lifestyle, and several line-up changes, being a top nineties band.
Last night they announced their upcoming show on Instagram alongside a recent band photo, and said: “Space Friday 1st December @mk11livemusic #MiltonKeynes.”
Their first two albums, platinum-selling Spiders (1996) and Tin Planet (1998) achieved massive success thanks to a distinctive sound that embraced post-punk and ska during a period when an influx of indie bands were competing for the limelight.
Space battled against Britpop heavyweights Pulp, Oasis and Blur for the top spot in the charts and headlining slots at festivals.
The band, from Liverpool, later struggled on in the Noughties, with two further albums before being released from their contract with record label Gut.
They finally called it quits in 2005, after collaborating with Catatonia lead singer Cerys Matthews on The Ballad of Tom Jones, and writing tracks for Jones himself.
Their most consistent band member and singer Tommy Scott reformed Space in 2011.
He reunited the band two years after the sad death of founding band member Andy Parle who died aged 42.
The punk drummer, who had a significant influence on the band’s sound, collapsed unexpectedly while crossing the road.
Parle’s funeral marked a turning point for the band’s original remaining members, and with old wounds mended they decided to work together again.
They began performing at festivals again and played a reunion gig at the O2 Academy Liverpool in 2011.
These days they are a four piece and continue to perform live.
They’ve released three more albums, including Give me your Future, Love You More than Football, and Music for Pleasure Music for Pain.