Space-Rock

"Taking drugs to make music to take drugs to...

The motto of Spacemen 3, the Trope Codifiers for the genre"

Describe Space Rock here. Okay...

Space Rock is a genre of Indie Rock or Alternative Rock characterized by slow-to-mid-tempos, Psychedelic and Prog influences, droning or heavily reverbed guitars (well, actually, just heavy reverb in general), and often drug-oriented or -influenced lyrics. In addition to the above, many other influences can be found in the sounds of the various bands as well- Shoegazing, Dream Pop, Noise Rock, Noise Pop, Krautrock, Ambient, Electronica, etc.- anything suitably druggy.

While the term was originally used back in the 70s to refer to Psychedelic Rock or Progressive Rock bands like Pink Floyd, The Pink Fairies and Hawkwind, the genre's true origins were in the mid-late 80s, when British bands like Spacemen 3 and Loop pioneered the sound. The droning Space Rock sound was an influence on the Shoegazing scene as well (and bands such as The Verve and Spiritualized blur the lines between the genres somewhat), and gained an underground following in the 90s. Bands such as Radiohead (pre-Kid A, and especially on OK Computer) helped push the genre closer to the mainstream, and more recent (and heavily Radiohead-influenced) bands such as Muse and (arguably) Coldplay brought a more accessible form of it into the mainstream.

There is a considerable overlap between this genre and Post Rock (much of which is influenced by this genre), as well as between Space Rock and other related genres such Shoegazing, Dream Pop, Noise Pop, Noise Rock (another influence on Space Rock) and Psychedelic Rock. As well, a few bands combine it with Progressive Rock or Heavy Metal.

Bands commonly classified as Space Rock:
 * Asha Vida
 * Bardo Pond
 * Caustic Resin
 * Chapterhouse (also a Shoegazing band)
 * Coldplay (though Your Mileage May Vary)
 * Darkside
 * Flying Saucer Attack
 * Fuxa
 * Godspeed You! Black Emperor (overlaps with Post Rock)
 * Lilys
 * Loop (sometimes also classified as Shoegazing)
 * Miss Bliss
 * Mogwai (could also be considered Post Rock)
 * Muse (heavier than most, but arguably still an example)
 * Quickspace
 * Radial Spangle
 * Radiohead (especially on OK Computer)
 * Spacemen 3 (Trope Codifier at least, possibly the Trope Maker)
 * Spectrum
 * Spiritualized
 * The Verve (started off Shoegazing, before changing their sound a bit. Never stopped being this though.)
 * Windy & Carl

Progenitors (of sorts) include:
 * Can
 * Flaming Youth
 * Gong
 * Hawkwind
 * Neu!
 * The Pink Fairies
 * Pink Floyd
 * Tangerine Dream (at times)