S.P.O.C.K - Live WGT 2008 Review

S.P.O.C.K. (S)

S.P.O.C.K. (aka Star Pilot on Channel K) is a Swedish synth pop band which was formed around 1988. Their commercial success began in 1990 when the Swedish record label Accelerating Blue Fish published 'Silicon Dream' as a limited-edition 7" single. The lyrical subject matter of S.P.O.C.K's songs frequently centres on science fiction stories, (in particular, Star Trek). Other topics include alien-human relations and life in space. Current members are Android - Alexander Hofman (vocals), Krull-E - Christer Hermodsson (keyboard) and Yo-Haan - Johan Malmgren (keyboard). http://www.subspace.se/spock / http://www.myspace.com/spockorbit

Music & Performance
After six long years, S.P.O.C.K were finally back in Germany and they're still so funny and crazy like in the past. People had waited a long time to see the space poppers again and so, the mood was extraordinary. Their old hits like 'Astrogirl' or 'Never Trust A Klingon' were heavily celebrated by the crowd and quickly the whole crowd was infected and was singing and dancing along, a part of them additional was waving with little Swedish flags you could see all over the venue. The band must have liked it a lot! Between the songs, Android did some jokes and at the start of 'All E.T:s aren't Nice' he shot the crowd with a big water gun. Altogether a funny and sweeping show - for me one of the highlights at this day. The set ran about 55 minutes and included twelve songs.

Setlist
01. Reactivated
02. E.T. Phone Home
03. Dr McCoy
04. Queen of Space
05. Astrogirl
06. I am an Android
07. All E.T:s aren't Nice
08. Not Human
09. Astrogirl's Secret
10. Out There
11. In Space no one can hear you Scream
---
12. Never Trust a Klingon

Rating
Music: 8
Performance: 10
Sound: 9
Light: 9
Total: 9

 

 

Many thanks to: www.relectionsofdarkness.com

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S.P.O.C.K - Live Malmö 2006 Review
Current mood: Happy

S.P.O.C.K At Malmö 2006.

The number one space orchestra and headliner of the day were finally entering the stage. Anticipations were of course high since the band had a rather long absence from live appearances only materializing at a few random places around the globe during the past few years. Communications seems to have been forced to a minimum, since those few sightings had been kept secluded until short before the touchdown. Star Pilot On Channel K are: Android (vocalist and only remaining founding member, aka Alexander Hofman), Crull-E (keyboardist, aka Christer Hermodsson), and Yo-Haan (keyboardist, aka Johan Malmgren).

Being both the cause and the effect of this 10-year anniversary of legendary Swedish label, SubSpace Communications, it was of course very fitting for them to be the headliner. Even though old school heroes Front Line Assembly with Bill Leeb in the lead were going to play on the stage next to the main stage right after.

Music
Starting up with the three star pilots covered in darkness, and then coming to life with the song The Awakening. That was really the perfect beginning of the show and I think there has never before been a more fitting first song. But the second song must also get some special mention, never before has there been a more fitting second song than Reactivated. Needless to say this whole appearance had been carefully planned for maximum impact! Even though it was far from the first appearance we had enjoyed even at Malmöfestivalen, the joy of hearing the old hits was really bliss. Songs like Astrogirl, Never trust a Klingon and Take me to the stars will never die, the familiar recognition didnt obscure the fact that these songs are really brilliant. And if Im not mistaken, several of the songs had been reworked? The only thing we were asking ourselves after enjoying this hit parade was: when are S.P.O.C.K going to mark the 90s music revival wave by releasing their next album?

Performance                                          
With over 300 gigs noted in the log, its not surprising that they are such a good live band. In fact I heard someone in the audience say with pure warmth in his voice this must be Swedens best live act (in Swedish though), and there definitely is some truth in that. All three were dressed in outfits from different eras in S.P.O.C.K history - Android in the old -95 outfit, while the other two were suited in the more silvery 1999 (Yo-Haan) and 2001 (Crull-E) suits. The pure joy in their electronic space-pop music is such a powerful electronic agent that it instantly affects the crowd in front of the stage, spreading smiles and happy faces like a forest fire lighting tinder. Yes, I know some of you may have said that the sci-fi lyrics feels a bit outdated but we saw you smiling, and I bet you still watch those ST:TNG reruns on TV? The enthusiasm and power on stage was just as good as ever before, so just skip those remarks that youre getting old on stage youre all still young! Now we demand at least 10 more years of adventures!

Setlist
01. The Awakening
02. Reactivated
03. Take Me To The Stars
04. E.T. Phone Home
05. Dr. McCoy
06. I am an Android
07. Trouble with Tribbles
08. Queen of Space
09. Astrogirl
10. Not Human
11. All E.T:s aren't Nice
12. Spacewalk
13. Mr Spock's Brain
14. Astrogirl's Secret
15. Out There
- - -
16. E-lectric
17. In Space No One Can Hear You Scream
18. Never Trust A Klingon

Many thanks to: www.reflectionsofdarkness.com

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