Formed as a quartet in Philadelphia, Asteroid no.4 has since become a permanent five piece and now calls Northern California their home. Named after Vesta, the brightest asteroid in our solar system, the moniker is an obvious nod to Spacemen 3, the classic UK band which Asteroid no.4 repeatedly drops as an influence. Over the last decade and a half, they’ve built a trove of eight full-length albums, well over a dozen compilation appearances, digital-only rarity releases, and multiple single releases.
The Asteroid no.4 sound is a hypnotic hybrid of several different genres filtered through the kaleidoscope of all things psychedelic: krautrock, ‘shoegaze, folk, and even ’70s cosmic country rock. Despite never shying away from wearing their influences squarely on their sleeves, it’s their longevity that has matured them to the point of originality rather than simply homage. It is that same longevity that has enabled them to do whatever they want, when they want, allowing them the freedom to experiment, which certainly makes up the foundation for anything truly ‘psychedelic.’
The group’s debut record, Introducing, was released to critical acclaim and branded as an, “uncommonly original and innovative space-rock album for the latter 1990s.” Considered a pylon of the “Psychedelphia” scene that also included luminaries Bardo Pond and Azusa Plane, reviews consistently cited Syd-era Floyd, The 13th Floor Elevators, Hawkwind and early-Verve as the inspirations heard on the album and, The Asteroid no.4 wholeheartedly agreed. Following the debut’s release on the band’s in-house label Lounge Records, they quickly began touring with the likes of the Brian Jonestown Massacre and Philly brethren The Lilys, the latter having a profound impact on where the band’s sound was headed next.
Now, a decade and a half later, the band is gearing up for the release of their eighth record, aptly named Asteroid no.4. Employing sitars, eastern-tinged sparsity, space-rock fueled anthems, and pastoral folk instrumentals, Asteroid no.4 seems to have hit upon the magic first heard on their debut, but with the mature songwriting that could have only been learned over a journey of this many years.
After returning from another tour of Europe at the end of 2013, the band has joined forces with Bad Vibrations Recordings. They are ecstatic to have a new label partner, record, and surroundings that will surely inspire them to continue to write and record for the foreseeable future as Asteroid no.4’s story continues ….
The Fat Angel Sings 