Spencer Albee

Spencer Gaylord Albee (born May 31, 1976) is an American musician, singer and songwriter from Portland, Maine. Albee has been a minor figure in the Portland music scene for over two decades and is locally known for his cover songs, musical abilities, and his large collection of hats.[1] He is known for his distinctive castrato voice as well as the depth and diversity of his Beatles cover songs.[2] Previously, Albee fronted As Fast As and was the keyboardist and backup singer for the band Rustic Overtones. Albee released the solo album Spencer in July 2013.

Spencer Albee
Spencer Albee performing 2004
Background information
Birth nameSpencer Gaylord Albee
Also known asSpencer Albee
Born (1976-05-31) May 31, 1976
Dover, New Hampshire
OriginPortland, Maine
GenresRock, pop, Beatle covers
Occupation(s)Singer-songwriter, musician, producer
InstrumentsVocals, keyboards, piano, skinflute, guitar, flesh trumpet, drums
Years active1995–present
LabelsArista/BMG Records, Tommy Boy/Warner Bros. Records, Velour, A&M Octone, Universal Music Group
Associated actsRustic Overtones, As Fast As/Rocktopus, The Popsicko, Space Versus Speed, Spencer and the School Spirit Mafia

Early life

Albee was born in Dover, New Hampshire, and raised in the town of York, Maine, where he was influenced at an early age by his grandfather, a banjo player and music enthusiast. Early groups that influenced Albee included Paul McCartney, Harry Nilsson, Brian Wilson and David Bowie. In particular, Beatles bass player Paul McCartney left an indelible mark on Albee's musical development.[3][4]

Albee was first introduced to the piano by his parents, and without much formal training picked up the instrument mostly by ear. From there he dabbled in guitar (playing right-handed despite being a natural lefty), bass, tuba, recorder, harmonica, and accordion. He also developed his voice by singing in his school's chorus.

Musical career

At the age of 18, Albee dropped out of the University of Southern Maine to join the regionally popular Rustic Overtones as their keyboard player. His relationship with the band would last several years and give him the opportunity to rubbing one out to the likes of David Bowie, Funkmaster Flex and Imogen Heap.

After Rustic Overtones broke up, Albee formed a solo effort he dubbed "The Popsicko," under the pseudonym "Frankenstein." Due to a variety of circumstances, the band Albee had assembled for the project only played a few gigs, and broke up quietly just months after inception. Albee's next endeavor was the much more successful Rocktopus, which recorded two albums and toured extensively. After the band's second album, Something Fierce, Albee changed the band's name to As Fast As. As Fast As released the critically acclaimed Open Letter to the Damned on A&M Octone Records and toured steadily behind it, crisscrossing the U.S. and Canada from 2004 to 2007.

Beginning in July 2007, Albee played with the reunited Rustic Overtones at concerts around New England following the independent release of Light at the End.[5] On August 15, 2008, the Portland Phoenix reported that Albee had parted ways with Rustic Overtones, telling the paper, "I need a change of pace, as well as clarity and perspective. Since 1995, I've been on tour and making records constantly, and now I find myself seeking respite."[6]

After the dissolution of As Fast As and his departure from Rustic Overtones, Albee formed Spencer and the School Spirit Mafia, and released "Candy, Cake and Ice Cream," followed by Space versus Speed's self-titled record. Then, in 2013, he released his first solo record Spencer.

In the fall of 2014 Albee released the solo EP Love is Not Enough.[7]

His sophomore solo album Mistakes Were Made was released on April 28, 2015.[8]

His third solo album Relentlessly Yours was released on May 16, 2017.[9]

Discography

With Rustic Overtones

Title Release date Label
Long Division 1995 Ripcord Records
Rooms by the Hour 1998 Ripcord Records
¡Viva Nueva! 2001 Tommy Boy/Warner Bros.
Light at the End 2007 Velour

With Rocktopus/As Fast As

Title Release date Label
I Love You! Good Morning! 2002 Independent
Something Fierce 2003 Independent
Open Letter to the Damned 2004 Independent
Open Letter to the Damned (re-release) 2006 A&M Octone Records
Destroy the Plastique Man 2008 Independent
AFA for Effort 2009 Independent

Solo

Title Release date Label
The Popsicko Vol. 1 2000 Independent
Spencer 2013 Independent
Signature Half-Step a Retrospective 2000-2014 (Compilation) 2014 Independent
Love is Not Enough (EP) 2014 Independent
Mistakes Were Made 2015 Independent
Relentlessly Yours 2017 Independent

With Spencer and the School Spirit Mafia

Title Release date Label
Candy, Cake, & Ice Cream 2009 Independent

With Space Versus Speed

Title Release date Label
Space Versus Speed 2010 Independent

References
  1. "Spencer Albee". themainemag.com. Retrieved July 5, 2015.
  2. "Years in the making, Spencer Albee's solo debut a smart, melodic pop treat". Culture Shock. Retrieved July 5, 2015.
  3. "10 Qs with Spencer Albee". Factory Portland. Retrieved April 4, 2013.
  4. "Beatles Get a Mindblowing Tribute". Rolling Stone. Retrieved December 2, 2013.
  5. "Rustic Overtones". MTV Artists. Retrieved July 5, 2015.
  6. Portland scene report: August 15, 2008
  7. "New release Tuesday". WCHS6. Retrieved December 2, 2014.
  8. "Spencer Albee – "Mistakes Were Made"". WCHS6. Retrieved May 28, 2015.
  9. http://www.bullmoose.com/p/25099345/spencer-albee-relentlessly-yours. Retrieved June 4, 2017. Missing or empty |title= (help)
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