Spectrum @ Stereo

In 1982 Pete Kember met Jason Pierce at art college in the West Midlands. Sharing a predilection for mind-expanding music and other similar substances, they formed Spacemen 3 and, along with My Bloody Valentine and the Jesus & Mary Chain, would go on to define the shoegaze aesthetic of late '80s indie. Following their drug-addled 1990 split, Pierce went on to new heights as leader of the epic Spiritualized, while Kember changed his name to Sonic Boom and continued to make minimal psych-rock with new band Spectrum. Although Spectrum never reached the reverential status bestowed upon Spiritualized, the similarities between the two bands – translucent guitar drones, 60s organ, gospel leanings - are striking, and unsurprising. This is a rare chance to hear an unsung pioneer of modern music - Sonic Boom will perform both Spectrum and Spacemen 3 songs, and Mogwai's Stuart Braithwaite will be manning the wheels of steel as guest DJ for the night. [Nick Mitchell]