Altered State (band)
Encyclopedia
Altered State was a Progressive rock
band based in Huntington Beach, CA. Influenced by Pink Floyd, Rush
, Led Zeppelin
and U2. Altered State has been described as "an inventive band with unique arrangements, melodic vocals and great harmonies."
, drummer Chip Moreland and guitarist Curtis Mathewson, previously performing together in the band Show of Hands. In 1990, Altered State signed with Warner Bros. Records
. With the loss of bassist Howard Ulyate, Mathewson covered both bass and guitar duties on the debut record.
In 1991, the band released their eponymous debut album and the first single, "Step Into My Groove." Their second single, "Ghost Beside My Bed
," was their biggest hit, reaching #1 on Rock Radio charts and the top 30 nationally.
In 1993 the band released :[dos]:. The album garnered some minor hits for the band with "Strong As I Am", "Life on a Skateboard", and "Darkness Visible" all of which received regular airplay at Pirate Radio. The album won that year's Circus Magazine Readers' Poll, over Nine Inch Nails and Stone Temple Pilots.
Warner Bros. dropped the band in late 1994, after the departure of Curtis Mathewson and bassist Paul Edwards. The band broke up in 1995.
In 2006, the band announced their return with Markel, Moreland, bassist Ulyate and Christian Nesmith on guitar.
Singles
Special Releases
Video
Bootlegs
Progressive rock
Progressive rock is a subgenre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s as part of a "mostly British attempt to elevate rock music to new levels of artistic credibility." John Covach, in Contemporary Music Review, says that many thought it would not just "succeed the pop of...
band based in Huntington Beach, CA. Influenced by Pink Floyd, Rush
Rush (band)
Rush is a Canadian rock band formed in August 1968, in the Willowdale neighbourhood of Toronto, Ontario. The band is composed of bassist, keyboardist, and lead vocalist Geddy Lee, guitarist Alex Lifeson, and drummer and lyricist Neil Peart...
, Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin were an English rock band, active in the late 1960s and throughout the 1970s. Formed in 1968, they consisted of guitarist Jimmy Page, singer Robert Plant, bassist/keyboardist John Paul Jones, and drummer John Bonham...
and U2. Altered State has been described as "an inventive band with unique arrangements, melodic vocals and great harmonies."
History
Altered State was formed in 1990 in Huntington Beach, CA by vocalist/guitarist Gregory MarkelGregory Markel
Gregory Markel, known to fans as "The Voice" due to his emotive 4+ octave range. Is an American Vocalist/Guitarist/Songwriter who spent time on U.S...
, drummer Chip Moreland and guitarist Curtis Mathewson, previously performing together in the band Show of Hands. In 1990, Altered State signed with Warner Bros. Records
Warner Bros. Records
Warner Bros. Records Inc. is an American record label. It was the foundation label of the present-day Warner Music Group, and now operates as a wholly owned subsidiary of that corporation. It maintains a close relationship with its former parent, Warner Bros. Pictures, although the two companies...
. With the loss of bassist Howard Ulyate, Mathewson covered both bass and guitar duties on the debut record.
In 1991, the band released their eponymous debut album and the first single, "Step Into My Groove." Their second single, "Ghost Beside My Bed
Ghost Beside My Bed
Ghost Beside My Bed was the second single released by the American progressive rock band Altered State in 1991 from their debut "Altered State". "Ghost Beside My Bed" reached #1 at Rock Radio in 1991 in California, New York, Arizona and Florida. And went top 30 nationally. Later covered by Lana...
," was their biggest hit, reaching #1 on Rock Radio charts and the top 30 nationally.
In 1993 the band released :[dos]:. The album garnered some minor hits for the band with "Strong As I Am", "Life on a Skateboard", and "Darkness Visible" all of which received regular airplay at Pirate Radio. The album won that year's Circus Magazine Readers' Poll, over Nine Inch Nails and Stone Temple Pilots.
Warner Bros. dropped the band in late 1994, after the departure of Curtis Mathewson and bassist Paul Edwards. The band broke up in 1995.
In 2006, the band announced their return with Markel, Moreland, bassist Ulyate and Christian Nesmith on guitar.
Gregory Markel
The vocalist and guitarist for Altered State from 1990 until 1995, Gregory Markel embarked on a solo career in 1997.Chip Moreland
The drummer for Altered State from 1990 until 1995, Chip Moreland aka Ziggy Knarley of Dread Zeppelin and drummer for Star Tomorrow winner Cindy Alexander.Curtis Mathewson
Guitarist of Altered State from 1990 until 1994, Curtis Mathewson went on to produce the band Train, Motorhead, Foo Fighters. And released two albums with Gentlemen of Leisure.Riz Story
Riz Story, the debut tour bassist for early 1992. Released albums with the band Anyone.Band members
- Gregory MarkelGregory MarkelGregory Markel, known to fans as "The Voice" due to his emotive 4+ octave range. Is an American Vocalist/Guitarist/Songwriter who spent time on U.S...
- Lead vocals, guitar (1990–1995) - Chip Moreland - drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
, vocalsSingingSinging is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, and augments regular speech by the use of both tonality and rhythm. One who sings is called a singer or vocalist. Singers perform music known as songs that can be sung either with or without accompaniment by musical instruments...
,(1990–1995) - Curtis Mathewson - Guitar, vocalsSingingSinging is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, and augments regular speech by the use of both tonality and rhythm. One who sings is called a singer or vocalist. Singers perform music known as songs that can be sung either with or without accompaniment by musical instruments...
, keyboards (1990–1994)
- Riz Story - Bass (Debut tour) (1992)
- Paul Edwards - Bass (:[dos]: 1992 - 1994)
Discography
- Altered State August 27, 1991
- :[dos]: October 5, 1993
Singles
- Step Into My Groove - 1991
- Ghost Beside My BedGhost Beside My BedGhost Beside My Bed was the second single released by the American progressive rock band Altered State in 1991 from their debut "Altered State". "Ghost Beside My Bed" reached #1 at Rock Radio in 1991 in California, New York, Arizona and Florida. And went top 30 nationally. Later covered by Lana...
- #1 Rock Radio 1991 - Life On A Skateboard - 1993
- Strong As I Am - 1993
- Darkness Visible - 1993
Special Releases
- Step Into My Groove - magic single
- Step Into My Groove - psychedelic mix
- Step Into My Groove - psychedelic instrumental
- Strong As I Am - acoustic
Video
- Step Into My Groove - version 1
- Step Into My Groove - version 2
Bootlegs
- Show of Hands - 1988 Live @ Club Lingerie
- Altered State - Live @ The Fullerton Hop