Bailter Space

by Jason Ankeny
Led by former Gordons guitarist Alister Parker, noise-rock unit Bailter Space emerged from Christchurch, New Zealand in 1987. Originally joined by former Clean and Great Unwashed drummer Hamish Kilgour, Pin Group alum Ross Humphries on bass, and Glenda Bills on drums, the group issued their debut EP, Nelsh Bailter Space, on the famed Flying Nun label later that year; both Humphries and Bills departed soon after, resulting in the addition of former Gordons bassist John Halvorsen in time to record the 1988 full-length Tanker. A tour followed, but when the Clean re-formed, Kilgour joined them on a permanent basis; his replacement in Bailter Space was Brent McLachlan, also the drummer in the Gordons. Despite the restoration of the Gordons core roster, however, Bailter Space was a clearly distinct entity, their sound more dense and imposing than in their previous incarnation; the trio resurfaced in 1990 with Thermos, mounting a tour of the Northern Hemisphere the following year. An EP, The Aim, appeared in 1992, and in 1993 Bailter Space released Robot World, their most acclaimed outing to date. Their prolific output continued in 1994 with Vortura; Wammo followed in 1995, although a brief hiatus preceded the release of Solar.3 and Capsul.