In the past 2 years, Alien Planetscapes has seen some major challenges which have resulted in major changes in the band's sound. During 1999-2000, the group's found Doug Walker suffered four hear attacks, congestive heart failure, Pneumonia, and Diabetic Neuropathy in the gastrointestinal track and feet. These illnesses necessitated seven hospitalizations during this period.
During the same period, drummer Matthew Block resigned from Alien Planetscapes, and bassist Chris Altenhoff, expressing a desire to engage in more commercial music, decided to leave as well. Guitarist Josh Gazes also resigned at this time (September 1999). The band's last performance was at Club Spiral NYC 9/2/99.
October 1999 saw the return of Alien Planetscapes veteran Richard Orlando (guitars, synthesizers) to the group. Despite being delayed by Pneumonia (December 1999), this version of the group geared up for the various Spring/Summer Festivals that took place during 2000. We also began preparations for recording "RED MARS", a CD of electronic music inspired by the SF novels of Kim Stanley Robinson. The two man Alien Planetscapes played a very critically acclaimed set at QUARKSTOCK 2000, held 5/29-5/30/2000 in Columbus, Ohio.
The group then made a disastrous appearance at the MANDELBROT SETS festival in Hartford, CT 7/2/00. We were unprepared for a performance after waiting 10 hours in over 100 degree weather, which took its toll on Doug Walker, triggering Congestive Heart Failure and another hospitalization.
In debilitated condition, we spent Summer 2000 recording "RED MARS", and rehearsing for STRANGE DAZE 2000. 3 days before SD'2000, Doug Walker came down with Diabetic Gastroparesis (after opening, as a guest artist, for Harvey Bainbridge's first solo appearance in NYC) and the group was forced to cancel. Yet another recovery period was in order and the group engaged in no activity for the rest of the year.
We are pleased and eager to announce THE RETURN OF ALIEN PLANETSCAPES as a performing/recording entity. Although the release of "RED MARS" has been delayed, we are reorganizing to begin a series of live performances during 2001 to usher in the new century. We have re-released the cassette LP's "MESSAGE FROM SPACE", "RADIO SPECIAL VOLUME EIGHT", the never-before released "STATES OF BEING" (recorded in July 1988 featuring Doug Walker & No Muzik's Carl Howard), and "LIVE ON EARTH"... SD'98, all on CDR, with copies of the original release's cover art. The four CDR set "GETTING IN THE FIRST BLOWS" has been released and is being made available as a series of single CDRs. Our first studio CD "LIFE ON EARTH" will be reissued in the coming year. Also in the pipeline is a new band studio CD. Musically, we are moving towards a more improvised direction, with more electronic elements in our improv. However, we will not ignore any of the previous techniques already extant in the band's sound, including our ability to Rock intensely.
We are auditioning a new band and trying to contact anyone who ordered merchandise from us but did not receive it. We are prepared now to a) send the CDS you ordered posthaste, or b) refund your money (based on documenting you sent $ in the first place). We are currently assembling material for our new Website, which should be online by summertime. We are interested in expanding our audience so the band is accepting all inquiries regarding festivals and paying live situations in which to perform. We are currently making plans for a Summer tour of the East Coast/Midwest so look for further announcements regarding times/dates/locations.
Our contact address is STILL the same:
GALACTUS/ALIEN PLANETSCAPES
c/o Doug Walker
191-32 116th Avenue
Saint Albans, NY 11412
718-723-1662
Email: DWA2898572@aol.com