“Sometimes you get lucky and a great band just pops up, like Spygenius!” (Powerpopaholic)
Spygenius is a guitar-bass-drums-keys line up who have been playing together for over 20 years. A classic 4-piece pop-combo based in Canterbury and South London, who bring catchy pop songs, lyrical wit and elaborate harmonies.
They are based in Canterbury and South London but play across the UK, including festivals in Wales, the South West and North West. They are regulars at the Cavern Club in Liverpool and have played in the USA and Denmark. They all sing and have a real love for complex harmonies.
Having been working as a band together for such a long time, all four members bring their own influences to the music. Peter, the main songwriter grew up with lots of folk and blues influences, as well loving guitar pop, (especially the Beatles and the Byrds), which led to his love of the electric 12 string jangle guitar sound. Matt, on keyboard, is responsible for a lot of the complicated harmony arrangements. Ruth, the bass player loves 70s new wave, Alan the drummer loves Studio 54 disco! They ALL grew all up listening to key musical sixties influences, such as British guitar pop – Squeeze, XTC, Elvis Costello, Ian Dury, but there are lots of folk, jazz, blues and psychedelia influences in there too.
As Baby Sue Comix said: “Sheesh, this band's sound is really like a whole swirling mass of different artists and influences from all over the place. Rather than simply tossing out one pop track after another, these guys tread into all sorts of musical terrain. It's no wonder power pop fans are behind these guys. Really good stuff!” Their first album (Songs from the Devil’s Typist) was reviewed as “...an outstanding album that is sure to hook you in and keep you humming”, making it to the ‘best-of’ list from Powerpopaholic. Since then, they’ve released another 6 albums, all receiving excellent reviews. Speaking of album number two (Red Lounge), Kool Kat Music said: It's great to hear a band with so much invention willing to throw away the rulebooks of verse, bridge, chorus and two guitars, bass and drums by just going nuts! More please!"
Spygenius is much more than powerpop. With Spygenius, you’ll find jangly guitar, catchy lyrics, great melodies and 4 part harmonies, but also horns, xylophone, ukulele, banjo and the occasional accordion – just for the sheer fun of it! Now 7 albums in, you never know what the next will be like and they want to avoid being pigeon holed into one genre, as Powerpopaholic said: “Spygenius is one of those quirky bands that shifts style with each album, sometimes you never know what you’ll get!” As well as the great album reviews, they are even better live. They have an infectious, energy that is guaranteed to connect with the audience and an amazing onstage connection between the members that only comes from playing together for so long. One of Spygenius’s favourite reviews comes from Woody Radio, who said: “There aren't a lot of bands like this. Don't get me wrong... there are a LOT of bands that WANT to be like this. You cannot "decide" to be multi-dimensional. It's in your DNA or it's not. Wanting it and forcing it is an exercise in futility. This band has a gift and they know how to put it to work!”