Porcupine Tree
4 vinyl records found
Porcupine Tree emerged from Steven Wilson's solo cassette project in the late 1980s to become a distinctive force in progressive and alternative rock. The band spent three decades building a devoted collector base through intricate arrangements, concept albums, and carefully curated physical releases before disbanding in 2010 and reuniting in 2021.
About Porcupine Tree
Wilson started Porcupine Tree as a fictional narrative project inspired by 1970s psychedelic and progressive rock, issuing early cassettes like Tarquin's Seaweed Farm and The Nostalgia Factory before consolidating those recordings into On the Sunday of Life in 1992. The project solidified into a full band with Richard Barbieri on keyboards, Colin Edwin on bass, and Chris Maitland on drums in the early 1990s. Albums such as Up the Downstair and The Sky Moves Sideways reflected their experimental approach, while live recordings like Spiral Circus and Coma Divine documented their growing presence as a touring act.
By the late 1990s, the band's direction shifted toward structured songwriting with alternative and progressive metal elements. Stupid Dream and Lightbulb Sun broadened their reach, and after signing to a major label, In Absentia and Deadwing accelerated their commercial profile. Drummer Chris Maitland departed in 2002, replaced by Gavin Harrison. Fear of a Blank Planet in 2007 became a concept piece addressing modern society, earning a Grammy nomination for Best Surround Sound Album. Their 2009 album The Incident achieved their highest commercial position before the band entered an extended hiatus as Wilson pursued solo projects.
The Groove Hunter currently tracks 5 editions of Porcupine Tree vinyl releases, including UK Exclusive Clear 140GM pressings of In Absentia, Fear Of A Blank Planet, Lightbulb Sun, Stupid Dream, and Incident. Following a 2021 reunion announcement, the band released Closure/Continuation in 2022 with Wilson, Barbieri, and Harrison, supported by a live recording from 2023. As of the mid-2020s, the band continues developing new material while their long-term future remains unresolved.
