Quickspace

Shortly after the breakup of his acclaimed indie pop group the Faith Healers at the end of 1994, London-based guitarist/vocalist Tom Cullinan formed Quickspace Supersport with Sean Newsham (bass), Wendy Harper (vocals/guitar), Max Corradi (drums), and Barry Stillwell (keyboards). While Cullinan's new band retained some of the same droning tension and fuzzy pop sensibilities of the Faith Healers, Quickspace Supersport's sound proved more malleable and their lyrics more upbeat. In March 1995, the group released their debut 7", Quickspace Happy Song #1, on their own Kitty Kitty Corporation label. Though they received an initially tepid response from a Brit-pop-preoccupied press, Quickspace Supersport found friends in bands such as Sebadoh and Stereolab, both of whom they toured the U.K. with later that year. By October 1995 and the release of their landmark Superplus EP, the British press caught up with the band's tense-but-varied drone pop, and raved about their singles and live shows. Just as the momentum behind them seemed to reach critical mass, Quickspace Supersport took a six-month hiatus. In the summer of 1996, the band returned with more than half its lineup replaced and half its name removed. Only Cullinan and Newsham remained from the original group, and new members Nina Pascale (guitar/vocals), Paul Shilton (keyboards), and Chin (drums) reenergized their sound. Now simply Quickspace, they released the bouncy, driving "Friend" single that November. In June 1997, Quickspace released their self-titled debut album to warm reviews. Songs like "Swisher" and "Quasi-Pfaff" showcased the band's lilting, folky and experimental dimensions, and "Song for Someone" illustrated why some writers described them as "Stereolab that rocks." While they recorded their second album,...