Bailter Space (a.k.a. Bailterspace) is a New Zealand shoegaze and noise rock band that formed in Christchurch, in 1987 as Nelsh Bailter Space; they had previously recorded as The Gordons. Its members are Alister Parker (guitar, bass), John Halvorsen (bass, guitar), Brent McLachlan (drums/percussion, samples). After releasing seven studio albums, numerous EPs/singles and a career retrospective compilation, Bailter Space went on an extended hiatus in 2004. They returned in August 2008 to play the Bowery Ballroom in Manhattan.
Halvorsen, Parker, and McLachlan were in a band called The Gordons formed by John Halvorsen in 1980. The Gordons released the three-song Future Shock EP in 1981, along with a video for the song "Adults and Children". Their debut self-titled LP The Gordons came out later that year. The band then released the Volume 2 LP in 1984, with Vince Pinker on bass in the absence of Alister, before disbanding circa 1985. Flying Nun Europe (and subsequently Flying Nun proper) reissued The Gordons and Future Shock on one CD, while Volume 2 remains unavailable.
Nelsh Bailter Space was formed by Parker and former Clean drummer Hamish Kilgour in 1987, initially completing the line-up with Glenda Bills on keyboards and Ross Humphries (also of The Terminals, and formerly of The Pin Group), later shortening its name to Bailter Space. After a couple of singles, Bills and Humphreys left, with Halvorsen joining on bass, this line-up recording the Tanker album and the "Grader Spader" single, both produced by Brent McLachlan. The band travelled to the United States where they played at the New Music Seminar in 1988, and when they returned, Kilgour opted to stay there with his new wife and form a new band, The Mad Scene. Parker and Halvorsen recruited Mclachlan as the new drummer, recreating the original Gordons lineup. This line-up debuted with the Thermos album, recorded in 1989.
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Links to Peel[]
Peel first played the Gordons in the mid 80's and would continue play much of the band's material when they evolved into Bailter Space. Bailter Space did a session for Peel's programme in 1992, but after 1993, didn't seem to play much of their material.
Sessions[]
Bailter Space - Peel Session 1992
1. Recorded: 1992-12-06. First Broadcast: 05 February 1993. Repeated: 24 April 1993
- The State / Place / Graider / Tanker
Other Shows Played[]
- 15 January 1985: Quality Control (album - Volume 2) Gordons
- 21 September 1988: Adults And Children (12" - Future Shock) Flying Nun
- 09 January 1993: Adults And Children (7" - Future Shock) Gordons
- Bailter Space
- 16 May 1989: Grader Spader (v/a album - In Love With These Times) Flying Nun
- 24 May 1989: Grader Spader (v/a album - In Love With These Times) Flying Nun
- 26 May 1989 (BFBS): 'Grader Spader (Compilation LP-In Love With These Times)' (Flying Nun)
- 29 May 1989 (BBC World Service): Grader Spader (v/a CD - In Love With These Times - A Flying Nun Compilation) Flying Nun Europe
- 31 May 1989: The 'W' Song (album - Tanker) Flying Nun
- 23 June 1989 (BFBS): 'The 'W' Song (LP-Tanker)' (Flying Nun)
- 12 July 1989: Grader Spader (v/a album - In Love With These Times) Flying Nun
- 09 January 1993: Shine (7") Clawfist
- 23 January 1993 (BFBS): Shine (7") Clawfist
- 13 March 1993: 'Begin (LP-Robot World)' (Flying Nun)
- 18 March 1993 (BBC World Service): Ore (album - Robot World) Flying Nun
- 20 May 1994: ‘No. 2 (CD – Vortura )’ Flying Nun
- 18 October 2001: Grader Spader (12” EP) Flying Nun