The Next Big Thing
By John "Koggie" Kotzian

Since forming in 1996, Space Nelson has made a name for itself around the Detroit music scene with energetic live  performances and attention to musical detail.  The band first captured their distinctive sound in 1997 with the release of "Cutting Edge Pinball."  In mid 1999, the band released its second LP "Slackjawed," which included two new studio tracks and captured the band's powerful live sound.  In the summer of 2001, the band was once again in the studio recording their "Moonman" demo CD at Detroit's nationally recognized MPA Studios (formerly Pearl Sound).  The band's current release (2002), "Evil Computer From the Future," displays the bands progression as songwriters and showcases their individual talents.

Since their first album, Space Nelson has been receiving airplay on all of the major Detroit radio stations including WRIF, 89X, WKRK, and The Drive 106.7.  Currently, tracks off the band's "Moonman" CD are being used on WRIF's Drew and Mike Show.  The band has also been featured in half-hour segments on both 89X and WRIF, including in-studio interviews, as a spotlight Detroit act.

In the summers of 2000 and 2001, the band was twice selected by the Ernie Ball Company to represent the Detroit music scene at the Vans Warped Tour stops in Michigan.  Also in the summer of 2001, Space Nelson earned an opening spot for A Flock of Seagulls by winning the listener polled Battle of the Bands competition held on Detroit's The Drive 106.7.  For the release of "Evil Computer from the Future," the band headlined at the Royal Oak Music Theater, a major Detroit venue that typically carries national acts.

Space Nelson consists of founding members John Piasentin on guitar/vocals and Eric Fischer on drums.  The band also features Gary Lock on bass guitar and Pete Hopersberger on keyboards/vocals, both of whom joined the band in 2000.

With their unique style and memorable live performances, Space Nelson is quickly gaining popularity.  With their current release, "Evil Computer From the Future," the band is making its mark on the local scene - and is poised to attract national attention.  Space Nelson is taking rock music to another level - this is definitely a band that you will remember.

Comments and Observations
I had the opportunity to see share the bill with Space Neslon at the first annual Toxic Bash in St. Clair Shores, MI this summer and I have to say that I was more than impressed by the level of musicianship these guys projected. The music is in the same vein as bands like The Galactic Cowboys and King's X in the fact that the things that make the songs "progressive" are so well blended as to be hidden from the casual listener. It's this type of writing that can create a song that will please both the "Rock-Radio" listener and the "Prog-Snob".

Space Nelson is a rare gem of a band that needs to b heard.

The Big Questions
As a part of this column, the bands featured are asked the same five questions. It's up to them to sell themselves and their music to would-be fans and record labels.

1. How would you describe your music?
This is always the hardest question for a band to answer!  We have been described by the Detroit writer Gary Graff as "melodic hard rock with a progressive edge".  I guess our sound would be some combination of the following: the odd time phrasings of Rush, the rhythm section of The Who, the keyboard styles of Deep Purple, King's X vocal harmonies, Jimmy  Pages' cranked Les Paul, and hopefully some of Yes' songwriting. We try to make energetic and thoughtful music for people to enjoy.

2. Why did you choose to play Progressive Rock, when Pop-Rock is so much more accessible?
I can't honestly say that we do one over the other.  We are fans of both types of music, so I think that our songwriting goals are to make music that satisfies us as musicians, while being catchy and something that any rock fan would like to listen to.  I think progressive rock fans will definitely hear the Rush, Yes, and King's X influences, while a pop rock fan will like the rhythm section drive and hooks reminiscent of someone like the Foo Fighters.  Ideally we offer something to fans of both styles.

3. If someone were looking for new Progressive Rock Music, what would they find in your music that sets it apart?
I think that our appeal is that we are able to take pretty technical music and play it in a way that does not sound forced.  I guess our biggest strength is to make odd phrasings and time signatures almost unnoticed by the average listener.  The progressive fans will get a kick out of it because they can dissect it and understand the uniqueness of it, while the average Joe just likes it because he can rock out to it and enjoy the melodies.  An example would be the opening track off our latest CD "Evil Computer From the Future", called "Gary's Lament".  We take the same riff and play it in the following time sequence: 8/4 - 1X, 7/4 - 2X, 8/4 - 2X, 7/4 - 1X, 6/4 - 3X, 8/4 - 1X.  The majority of people that listen to the song have no clue that there is a time change.  The people that  understand it and catch are like - cool!!  

4. Imagine I'm a major label representative. Explain why you think I should sign your band.
If you get our songs on the radio for people to hear, they will eat it up (hopefully) because it's catchy as hell and not the same mindless crap that gets shoved into everyone's face.  Then you, Mr. Label, can get rich as hell off us while we get paid to do what we love.  I can dream, can't I?!

5. Where do you see Space Nelson in five years.
Since we started 5 years ago we have independently release 2 CD's, created a modest following, and are right now getting into some of the bigger venues around Detroit.  In 5 years, I hope the # of CD's has gone up and is on someone else's bill, the following has grown, and the venues are even bigger.

The Final Test
Ok people, it's up to you as the listener to say whether Space Nelson is worth your time and money. To check out the music go here.

Coda
To learn more about Space Nelson visit http://www.spacenelson.com