Porcupine Tree

[toodef]

Someone over at .org mentioned something about this band and ever since then ive been looking for them everytime i go to buy a cd. I finally found them, and i love it. Does anyone else like this band? Hopefully theres a fanbase out there with more information about this band. If not, let the thread drift on down the board.

I thank you anonymous introducer person.

[Pudie]

I like me some PT. They have the whole Opeth Connection too. What CD did you get?

[toodef]

signify.

cuz it was the only one that i have ever seen so i grabbed it. i like it. a lot.

[Pudie]

Ill trade you. I got In Absentia.

[mjk870621345]

I looked for in absentia EVERYWHERE and didnt found it :(

[toodef]

I looked for in absentia EVERYWHERE and didnt found it :(

ya they are tough little bastards to get a hold of. I got lucky at a used cd store for 7 bucks. This place is my new home by the way. I go there every pay-day. :-D
there are good things in life. :greenwink

[Pudie]

I gotta start browsing those places once I get my license. I kinda wanna start collecting vinyl too

[Martta]

porcupine tree. :up:

i've only got signify and in absentia and some live cd i bought by accident because i'm so stupid/blind i didn't realize it's a live cd until i had already bought it and was at home. :( but then again it's good and got me interested in their older stuff...

[Martta]

have a look at the up the downstair's tracklisting according to yahoo launch:
http://launch.yahoo.com/release/46942
i lolled.

[Pun'KinG']

A friend from work let me borrow their "Deadwing" (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0007XT87G/qid=1120229509/sr=8-1/ref=sr_8_1/103-5760669-7767851?v=glance&s=music&n=507846) CD the other day and after listening to only the first five tracks I have to confess that I prefer it over "A_With_A_Teeth_A".

I know.. why'd it take five? :shrug:

*stumbles onto genie's lamp while strolling on beach and wishes for Trent to become smack addicted once again*

But only in a good way. :blink:

[Pudie]

It's not hard for a lot of CDs to be better then With Teeth.

[Parabola7001]

In not a PT fan. They seem to dull for me. And it doesn't help that a friend of mine talks about them 24/7. Everyday PT this PT that. So i have grow to hate them

[Pudie]

You should hate you friend instead. Im willing to bet PT is better.

[mjk870621345]

Porcupine tree rules... i need to get deadwing, because the tracks i've heard are damn good.

[Joga]

I bought "Signify" about seven years ago, and then never listened to it. I think I will now.

*Goes and digs it out of her CD storage bin*

[Agent]

It's not hard for a lot of CDs to be better then With Teeth.
when you're right, you're right.

but a fan of PT i am not.

[MojoFearsSatan]

I like PT, but frankly, With Teeth was a giant polished turd.

[Jonesy]

I like PT, but frankly, With Teeth was a giant polished turd.

:yes:

[Godless]

PT is good but not great

[Parabola7001]

i just don't like them plain and simple

[spinnin'dervish]

just another band trying to copy some tool and some nin.
why ?

[Pun'KinG']

People that copy :tool: and :ryan: have access to blank media and recording devices.

You get all this shit bouncing around out there, coming into contact with your temples and unbeknownst to you some of it seeps into your subconscious. And it's difficult for all these experiences to NOT have at least a subtle impact on everything else that you do in life. And all this shit just keeps on piling up on top of itself like a huge mound of laundry; some of it soiled, some of it still unused with that "new" smell to it....and there you are thinking what you accomplished is great and original and then you hear or read somewhere that someone thinks you ripped off a certain style or took someone else's idea. Of course everything is subjective and comprised of opinions, so that's where I'll end this paragraph.

I think Chevelle definitely rips off TOOL'S style. But it's still ok. Even if they did it deliberately or not. I know they're not TOOL. And therein lies the difference.

[spinnin'dervish]

somebody likes his dictionary. [/I]

[Pun'KinG']

somebody likes his dictionary. [/I]
Yeah. I had to look up the words paragraph and laundry. But I had a difficult time because I didn't know what letter they started with. :sarcasm:

Plus this damn unabridged dictionary weighs a ton. :crying:


somebody likes his dictionary. [/I]

somebody knows how to use italics.


somebody likes his dictionary. [/I]

Yeah. His name's Webster. But I like to call him "little" for short.

http://www.thewb.com/THEWB/Images/Dynamic/i28/SU-ELewis-D_2x3_240.jpg

[Joga]

Pun'KING', will you marry me?

[Agent]

i just don't like them plain and simple
word.

[Pun'KinG']

Pun'KING', will you marry me?

I'm extremely flattered :blush:,but alas you're too late. I'm already taken.

That proposal was not the least bit indecent either. :blink:

[Joga]

I'm extremely flattered :blush:,but alas you're too late. I'm already taken.

That proposal was not the least bit indecent either. :blink:

:agape: Oh well. Russia's too far for me anyway... :sad:

[Pun'KinG']

:agape: Oh well. Russia's too far for me anyway... :sad:

:laughing:

I like your sense of humor.

[spinnin'dervish]

Yeah. I had to look up the words paragraph and laundry. But I had a difficult time because I didn't know what letter they started with. :sarcasm:

Plus this damn unabridged dictionary weighs a ton. :crying:




somebody knows how to use italics.




Yeah. His name's Webster. But I like to call him "little" for short.

http://www.thewb.com/THEWB/Images/Dynamic/i28/SU-ELewis-D_2x3_240.jpg


i dub thee master of comedy


no honest

[phi]

Not so new, but in case you haven't read it yet. I stumbled upon it today.

from http://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=14590


Steve Wilson is a very busy man. He is planning another Blackfield collaboration soon, expects to continue collaborating with Opeth, and has other projects in the works as well. And, oh yes – he also happens to continue to be the guitarist, songwriter, front man and chief inspiration for a little old band called Porcupine Tree.



I recently had the privilege of seeing PT live, and was amazed at how faithfully they are able to recreate their recorded music in concert. Indeed, there seemed to be an even greater sense of “urgency” and complexity in the songs when performed in the immediacy of the live setting. At the show, I was able to corral Mr. Wilson’s manager, and asked if he would be willing to arrange an interview with Mr. Wilson. He did so, and I want to thank him for his time, patience and assistance in this regard.



Needless to say, I also want to express my sincere gratitude to Mr. Wilson, who took time out from his insanely hectic schedule to answer each and every query in an honest and forthright manner. His time is greatly appreciated, and his honesty and directness are truly refreshing.



Here is the “official” Prog Archives interview with Steve Wilson.



-----------------



P: Tell us a little bit about yourself and your background, especially musically. For example, when did you start playing guitar? Composing?


SW: The first thing that actually inspired me to take an interest in music was my parent's listening tastes. When I was 7 or 8 years old I heard albums such as Donna Summer's Love to Love You Baby (still one of my favourite albums) and Dark Side of the Moon. I became fascinated by the whole process of making records. The first music that actually inspired me to make it myself was the early 80's New Wave of British Heavy Metal scene, bands such as Diamond Head, Saxon and Iron Maiden. So the first band I had was a school band in this style called Paradox, with whom I played guitar and wrote most of the songs - this would have been when I was about 12-13 years old.

P: Who were your favorite groups as a young adult? Who were your earliest influences as a guitarist? As a songwriter?


SW: I have a hard time answering that question. I suppose I wasn't really so interested in groups, more in the auteurs who were responsible for creating a whole sound and style of their own - the "architects" of recorded music, people like Zappa, Pete Townsend, Jeff Lynne, Robert Fripp, Brian Wilson, Miles Davis, Roger Waters.... If I had to pick one artist whose music has meant so much to me right through my life and still touches me deeply, I think it would be Nick Drake.

P: What were your earliest professional musical experiences?


SW: As a professional musician, No-Man was the band/project that got me started and enabled me to make music for a living for the first time. We signed to Bjork's label One Little Indian in 1990 and started to pick up a lot of good press in the UK.

P: What were you doing immediately preceding the formation of Porcupine Tree?


SW: I was working with No-Man.

P: Tell us about the formation of Porcupine Tree: when, where, who, how.


SW: At first it started almost as a joke, or at least it was created to imitate various groups I liked from the sixties and seventies. I was inspired to do this by XTC's alter egos The Dukes of Stratosphear. It was only after I got a record deal and started to issue music commercially that I decided to try to make PT a more serious project, and less nostalgic. I realised that there was an opportunity to make music which was rooted in the classic album music of the past, but looking firmly to the future. The breakthrough PT piece in this respect was the 30-minute single Voyage 34 which fused ambient trance (then very popular thanks to artists like The Orb and Future Sound of London) with space rock. PT continued as a solo project until 1994 when the band line-up came together for the first time, primarily to play the existing music live.

P: Among some of the influences that our members hear in Porcupine Tree’s music are Pink Floyd, King Crimson and Dream Theater. Are these accurate? If not, who would you say are the bands or artists that have influenced Porcupine Tree, beyond your own personal influences?



SW: I really don't think it's relevant to talk about influences on the band at this stage in our career. For many years PT have striven to be Porcupine Tree, unlike anyone else. Also, inspiration comes from so many different sources - movies, books, life, experience....etc....and on top of this there are 4 very distinct personalities with the band. At least 2 of the 4 members wouldn't listen to any of the groups you mention, and never did, and I think I can say that none of us ever listened to a Dream Theater record!

P: With regard to songwriting, how much is yours and how much is collaborative? Also, how much is done "in studio" - i.e., as a result of "noodling," "jamming," etc. - and how much is "already written" when you go into the studio?


SW: Historically, it's almost always been myself coming in with a very worked out set of songs/demos and a structure for the record, but actually this will probably change for the next record, which we intend to be more of a collaborative effort.

P: Many of our members are musicians, and many play in bands. Can you describe some of the guitars and equipment you use in Porcupine Tree and/or at home?


SW: Apple computer running Logic Audio software, Digidesign Mix TDM system, EXS24 virtual sampler, Apogee Trak2 Mic Pre Amp/A-D convertor, Neumann U87 microphone, Paul Reed Smith Custom 22 guitars, Gibson Les Paul, Line6 XT POD, Marshall/Bad Cat Amplification.

P: Our site defines “prog rock” broadly as “A style that combines rock, non-rock (i.e., classical, folk et al), psychedelic and literary elements.” And while we believe that it also often includes elements such as “shifting time signatures” and extensive use of keyboards, we believe that other important elements include a certain approach to composition (more “scored” than “linear”), with what might be termed “evolving musical themes,” and, perhaps as important as anything else, the “conscious” use of the studio (production) as an element in creating atmospheres and textures. Would you comment on all this - i.e., the concept of “prog rock” in general, as well as how you feel Porcupine Tree “fits” into the genre?


SW: I can't really answer this question as PT has always tried to avoid any generic classification - we make "porcupine tree" music, I guess. These days I'm not really sure I know what "progressive" means, or if it matters, except that most of the music I hear referred to as "prog-rock" seems the opposite to me - formulaic, regressive, and very poorly executed. But on the other hand, when I hear bands like The Mars Volta and Sigur Ros, there is a certain spirit that I associate with the original wave of ambitious album-oriented music from the 70's, with a very contemporary twist.

P: Many members consider many of your lyrics “dark.” Would you agree? If so, why? Do you generally consider yourself a “dark” person, e.g., more a pessimist than an optimist?


SW: I would certainly agree that the lyrics tend to be on the melancholic side, but writing for me is a kind of cathartic process during which I exorcise that side of me, and I think I'm generally a pretty happy person!

P: When you write, do you generally start with lyrics and add music, or do you come up with musical ideas and add lyrics later?


SW: No rules - a song can start with lyrics, music, guitar, piano, a drum loop, a sample, a bass line...etc....

P: Are there any places, things, ideas, etc. that tend to influence you more than others in your lyric and/or song writing?


SW: Yes, regret and loss tend to be the subjects I keep coming back to these days.

P: Can you tell us a little about your other project, Blackfield? Particularly, how it came about, and whether we can look forward to more?


SW: Blackfield is a collaboration with Israeli singer-songwriter Aviv Geffen - both myself and Aviv write, produce and play most of the instruments between us. We are planning to make a second record early on 2006.

P: Can you also tell us how you got involved with Opeth, what your role is, and whether you will continue to collaborate with them?


SW: Opeth were fans of PT and I was very impressed with their album Still Life, so I agreed to work with them on an album which became Blackwater Park. Myself and Mikael hope to collaborate on a project at some time, plus I hope I can continue to work with Opeth on their future recordings. I think my favorite role is creating in the studio - making records, creating sounds, and mixing are what I believe I do best, so I enjoy collaborating with other artists where that is the sole extent of my job. I'm proud of many of these collaborations, but if I had to choose two that I'm especially pleased with they would be Anja Garbarek's Smiling and Waving, and Opeth's Blackwater Park. These 2 albums were done almost back to back, and could not be more different, but still I believe that they contain some of my most creative and sympathetic work. In both cases my contribution helped to bring the artist to a completely new and stronger phase of their creativity. As a producer that really is as much as you can hope for.

P: Is there anything that you would like to add for our members? Any info about Porcupine Tree, or about yourself, your feelings, thoughts, ideas in any regard?

SW: No, I think that about covers it.

P: Well, thank you so much for taking the time to answer our queries. I know I speak for almost the entire membership when I say that we very much look forward to new music from Porcupine Tree, Blackfield and Opeth. And, of course, we wish you continued personal and professional success!



SW: Thank you. Best of luck to Prog Archives as well.

[bdf]

I fucking LOVE Porcupine Tree. I only have In Absentia and Deadwing, but I'm definitely gonna go a-looking for Signify.

GREAT band.

[Jonesy]

I'm ordering some cd's from BMG and noticed they have Absentia and Deadwing. I'm curious now how good they are. I get 11 free cd's, so I may get these.

Who do they sound similar to?

[MojoFearsSatan]

difficult to say. They're definitely prog-rock; In Absentia is closer to metal and is reminiscent of the melodic Opeth moments and sometimes of Tool. Other times they're very reminiscent of Pink Floyd and of more rocky prog bands like Wishbone Ash and Jethro Tull.

[B]

BMG with their free cd promotions? Talk about 15 years ago...

just download the album, if you like it, buy it.

[Jonesy]

difficult to say. They're definitely prog-rock; In Absentia is closer to metal and is reminiscent of the melodic Opeth moments and sometimes of Tool. Other times they're very reminiscent of Pink Floyd and of more rocky prog bands like Wishbone Ash and Jethro Tull.

Alright, sounds good.

And I only have to buy one CD at regular price. Then, I can cancel membership. I've done it like 3 times in the past already.

[bleuMadonna]

I'm just getting into Porcupine Tree, and I love them so far. I have In Absentia and one other one. I'm also going to see them in May in Philly :yay:

[Joga]

So I started listening to my Porcupine Tree CD again...and I can't get into it.

[Twisted Rebel]

I haven't given this band much of a chance but I did listen to a couple songs by them awhile ago and thought they were quite mediocre.

[B]

I haven't given this band much of a chance but I did listen to a couple songs by them awhile ago and thought they were quite mediocre.

me too

[Person]

I'm just getting into Porcupine Tree, and I love them so far. I have In Absentia and one other one. I'm also going to see them in May in Philly :yay:

I wish they'd come to Australia... ah fuck it, no bands come to Aus :sad:

well... some anyway.
And trust Americans to only know 2 of the albums! They released like 5 albums prior to In Absentia since 1992!



I'd understand people not really giving a damn about Deadwing (I know I don't), but most of their past records have had some really good material. Deadwing just seemed musically rehashed I guess, though it still had some nice songs like Mellotron Scratch and the title track.

Also, if you've heard just one or two PT songs... you haven't heard the scope of their sound by a long shot. Their earlier works were more proggy and not very pop-based, compared with stuff from Stupid Dream 'til Deadwing.


I haven't heard anything off the new album yet, and it sounds like they've changed direction a little with it from the sounds of things, so I'm interested to get my hands on it when it's released in late April... although I'm pretty sure it's leaked already.

[Jonesy]

I got Deadwing and In Absentia in the other day. At first I thought they were just OK, but they're quickly growing on me.

I'll probably check out their older stuff when I get the chance.

[bleuMadonna]

:up: I'm seeing them May 23d. Can't wait.

[Jonesy]

They'll be in Cleveland Ohio this summer. Where will they be the 23rd?

Ohio is the closest to me, I'm kind of thinking about going...

[bleuMadonna]

K, I've become utterly obsessed with them of late. I cannot get enough. It's all I've been listening to for the last couple of weeks. I want everything, and it will be completely impossible to collect everything done by Steven Wilson, let alone the other members. *sigh*.

[bleuMadonna]

^^^ *Is still obsessed* I've gotten a lot of their older stuff, and it is really, really good. I can't say which era I like best; I'm just loving it all. Some of Steven Wilson's side projects are decent, too, like Bass Communion and Blackfield. In fact, I just ordered more BC because some of it will soon be out of print. I also got to see them two more times since May, and the shows were killer.

[Agent]

meh

[bdf]

So I now have just about all of the PT official releases by proxy. I also got the chance to see them live in Houston about a month ago. Too bad I had my first ever panic attack during Anesthetize and had to go outside for a spell. I wish they'd played Even Less instead of A Smart Kid too--we should've gone to Dallas. Oh well.

But yeah--I still fucking love this band. :heart:

[bleuMadonna]

I'd understand people not really giving a damn about Deadwing (I know I don't), but most of their past records have had some really good material. Deadwing just seemed musically rehashed I guess, though it still had some nice songs like Mellotron Scratch and the title track.
They played Mellotron Scratch at my first show. It was awesome. And right on about the past material. I've got a lot of it now, but not everything. I adore Lightbulb Sun and Signify.

[bleuMadonna]

More PT news:

"On the 4th October 2007 Porcupine Tree arrived for an in-store performance and signing session at Park Avenue CDs in Orlando, Florida, with 200 fans also in attendance. Although it was originally planned that the full band would play, lack of space dictated that it was only the 2 guitarists / singers Steven Wilson and John Wesley who delivered an impromptu performance, including many songs rarely (if ever) played by the band, making for a very special and intimate show. Fortunately this one-off performance was captured by a remote recording facility and the complete 8 song, 33 minute show is now being released in a digipack sleeve created by photographer Lasse Hoile and designer Carl Glover. The CD will be available to pre-order soon from the PT Store (please do NOT email to ask when), and is expected to ship in the week commencing 11th Feb."


Full track listing for the album is:

1. the sky moves sideways (4.02)
2. even less (3.27)
3. stars die (4.33)
4. waiting (3.52)
5. normal (4.52)
6. drown with me (4.09)
7. lazarus (4.29)
8. trains (4.04)

Park Ave. is selling it through their store, and it will come with a poster when you preorder.
http://www.parkavecds.com/mini/

:drool:

[bleuMadonna]

So I started listening to my Porcupine Tree CD again...and I can't get into it.

Which one do you have, Joga?

[Martta]

I saw PT in December and it was one of the most awesome things ever.

I just wish they'd played more of their older songs. Songs like Synesthesia and Dislocated Day would probably blow my mind.

Their older albums >>>>>>> their newer albums

[bleuMadonna]

I'm just getting familiar with their older stuff, and I have a hard time deciding what I like better. I love it all so far. Synesthesia would be awesome live, I would imagine. That song was in my head for a solid week.

[Joga]

Which one do you have, Joga?

lol...I gave you my Porcupine Tree CD, sweets. :hug2:

On a side note, it's worth it for me to talk about Porcupine Tree with Bleu because I like the way she says "porcupine" with her accent.

[bleuMadonna]

lol...I gave you my Porcupine Tree CD, sweets. :hug2:

On a side note, it's worth it for me to talk about Porcupine Tree with Bleu because I like the way she says "porcupine" with her accent.

OMG, thank you, and yeah, for me it's Pawcupine Tree :teehee: I could not for the life of me remember who gave me that CD! I swore it was my friend Karen, and she was like, huh? LMAO! Me and my senior moments. Ok, well, now that I know which one it is, you might like some of the later stuff, as it's less spacey and a bit more structured. For some people, it takes a few listens to get into them. But then again, you might just not like them :bleu: Once I get a new burner (the one on my lap top has crapped out), I'll send you some of their other stuff, if you like. I still owe you some other goodies, too. I haven't forgotten. Just haven't had the coin to get a new burner.