Porcupine Tree are an English rock band formed in 1987 by musician Steven Wilson. Over the course of more than two decades of activity, they developed a reputation for critical acclaim, a dedicated cult following, and influence on later artists. The band has often been described as maintaining a position outside the mainstream while achieving significant recognition within progressive and alternative music circles. Initially conceived as a solo project by Wilson
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Porcupine Tree are an English rock band formed in 1987 by musician Steven Wilson. Over the course of more than two decades of activity, they developed a reputation for critical acclaim, a dedicated cult following, and influence on later artists. The band has often been described as maintaining a position outside the mainstream while achieving significant recognition within progressive and alternative music circles. Initially conceived as a solo project by Wilson, Porcupine Tree began as a fictional concept inspired by psychedelic and progressive rock acts of the 1970s. Wilson created music to support the fictional narrative, releasing early cassette recordings such as “Tarquin’s Seaweed Farm” and “The Nostalgia Factory”, which established an underground following. Early releases were later compiled into the album “On the Sunday of Life...” in 1992. During this period, the project transitioned from a solo endeavor into a full band, with Richard Barbieri joining on keyboards, Colin Edwin on bass, and Chris Maitland on drums, forming the first stable lineup in the early 1990s. The band’s early musical style incorporated elements of psychedelic rock, space rock, and experimental music. Albums such as “Up the Downstair” (1993) and “The Sky Moves Sideways” (1995) reflected these influences and contributed to their growing reputation within progressive rock audiences. By the mid-1990s, Porcupine Tree had become an active touring band, releasing the live album “Spiral Circus” and later “Coma Divine – Recorded Live in Rome” in 1997. Their 1996 album “Signify” marked a transition toward a more collaborative band-oriented approach and a broader range of musical styles. In the late 1990s and early 2000s, the band shifted toward more structured songwriting and alternative rock influences. Albums such as “Stupid Dream” (1999) and “Lightbulb Sun” (2000) expanded their audience and increased their commercial profile. After signing with a major label, the band further evolved their sound toward progressive metal, particularly on albums such as “In Absentia” (2002) and “Deadwing” (2005). In 2002, drummer Chris Maitland was replaced by Gavin Harrison, marking a significant lineup change. The band continued to gain international recognition with “Fear of a Blank Planet” (2007), a concept album addressing themes related to modern society and youth culture. The album received several awards and nominations, including a Grammy nomination for Best Surround Sound Album. A companion EP, “Nil Recurring”, was released the same year. Their tenth studio album, “The Incident”, was released in 2009 and became their most commercially successful release at the time. Following touring in support of “The Incident”, Porcupine Tree became inactive in 2010 as Steven Wilson focused on his solo career and other members pursued individual projects. Despite this hiatus, the band did not formally disband. During this period, archival releases and live recordings such as “Octane Twisted” were issued. In 2021, the band announced a reunion and released their eleventh studio album, “Closure/Continuation”, in June 2022. The lineup for this release consisted of Wilson, Barbieri, and Harrison, with Colin Edwin no longer involved in the project. The album had been developed over several years in relative secrecy. The band subsequently toured internationally in 2022 and 2023, with additional touring musicians supporting live performances. A live recording from this period, “Closure/Continuation.Live”, was released in 2023. As of the mid-2020s, the future of Porcupine Tree remained uncertain, with members expressing both interest in further collaboration and the possibility that “Closure/Continuation” could represent their final studio work. Reports in 2025 indicated that the band had continued working on new material, with a potential future release under consideration. Full Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Porcupine_Tree Studio albums On the Sunday of Life... (1992) Up the Downstair (1993) The Sky Moves Sideways (1995) Signify (1996) Stupid Dream (1999) Lightbulb Sun (2000) In Absentia (2002) Deadwing (2005) Fear of a Blank Planet (2007) The Incident (2009) Closure/Continuation (2022)
