The 1990s are often remembered for flannel shirts, grunge guitars, and alternative rock bands that embraced darker, more introspective sounds. Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Soundgarden, and Alice in Chains defined much of the decade, while Britpop acts like Oasis and Blur dominated the United Kingdom. Hidden somewhere between those worlds was a band that refused to fit neatly into either category.
That band was Spacehog.
Blending glam rock, alternative rock, power pop, and classic British influences, Spacehog created music that was equal parts David Bowie, T. Rex, Queen, and 1990s alternative. Their biggest hit, “In the Meantime,” became one of the defining rock songs of 1995, earning heavy rotation on MTV and modern rock radio. Yet despite an impressive debut album, memorable follow-up releases, and a unique musical identity, Spacehog never achieved the lasting commercial success many believed was inevitable.
Today, they remain one of the most overlooked bands of the alternative rock era.
From Leeds to New York
Spacehog formed in New York City in 1994, but its members actually came from Leeds, England.
The classic lineup featured vocalist and bassist Royston Langdon, guitarist Antony Langdon, drummer Jonny Cragg, and guitarist Richard Steel.
Relocating to New York gave the band an opportunity to stand out from both the British and American rock scenes. While most alternative bands of the time embraced stripped-down aesthetics, Spacehog proudly celebrated the theatrical traditions of 1970s glam rock.
Their appearance reflected that philosophy.
Platform boots.
Flashy clothing.
Confident stage presence.
Big choruses.
Even bigger guitar hooks.
At a time when many bands tried to look ordinary, Spacehog wasn’t afraid to embrace style alongside substance.
Resident Alien
In 1995, Spacehog released its debut album, Resident Alien.
Produced by Bryce Goggin, the record immediately distinguished itself from nearly everything else on alternative radio.
Instead of gloomy introspection, the album delivered colorful melodies, layered harmonies, crunchy guitars, and imaginative songwriting.
The lead single, “In the Meantime,” quickly became a breakout hit.
Driven by one of the decade’s most recognizable bass lines and a soaring chorus, the song perfectly captured Spacehog’s appeal. Royston Langdon’s distinctive vocals floated above massive guitars while the band’s glam influences blended seamlessly with modern alternative rock production.
The song reached the Top 40 on the Billboard Hot 100 and became a staple of MTV throughout 1995 and 1996.
Nearly three decades later, it remains one of the most recognizable rock songs of the era.
More Than One Hit
Although “In the Meantime” became Spacehog’s signature song, Resident Alien offered far more than a single successful single.
Tracks like “Cruel to Be Kind,” “Starside,” “Candyman,” “Only a Few,” and “Space Is the Place” demonstrated the band’s remarkable versatility.
The album moved effortlessly between crunchy alternative rock, shimmering glam pop, and psychedelic textures.
Unlike many groups chasing current trends, Spacehog sounded timeless.
Listeners could hear echoes of David Bowie, Queen, Mott the Hoople, and T. Rex, yet the music never felt like imitation.
Instead, the band modernized those classic influences for a new generation.
That originality helped Resident Alien earn Gold certification in the United States and established Spacehog as one of alternative rock’s most promising young bands.
Royston Langdon’s Distinctive Voice
One of Spacehog’s defining strengths was frontman Royston Langdon.
His voice didn’t resemble the rough growls that dominated post-grunge radio.
Instead, Langdon possessed a soaring tenor capable of moving effortlessly between gentle melodies and dramatic rock choruses.
His theatrical vocal delivery complemented the band’s glam-inspired songwriting while giving Spacehog an unmistakable identity.
Combined with his melodic bass playing and charismatic stage presence, Langdon quickly became one of the more distinctive frontmen of the mid-1990s alternative scene.
The Chinese Album
Following the success of their debut, Spacehog released The Chinese Album in 1998.
Rather than repeating the formula that had made Resident Alien successful, the band experimented with broader musical ideas.
The first single, “Mungo City,” showcased Spacehog’s growing confidence as songwriters.
The album featured richer arrangements, more ambitious production, and expanded stylistic influences ranging from psychedelic rock to orchestral pop.
Critics generally praised the record.
Unfortunately, the commercial landscape had changed dramatically.
A Changing Rock Landscape
By the late 1990s, alternative rock was undergoing a major transformation.
Nu metal bands such as Korn and Limp Bizkit were dominating MTV.
Pop music was entering another golden age with artists like Britney Spears and *NSYNC.
Post-grunge acts increasingly filled rock radio playlists.
Spacehog’s Bowie-inspired glam rock suddenly seemed out of step with mainstream trends.
Despite releasing an excellent sophomore album, the band struggled to maintain the momentum created by “In the Meantime.”
It wasn’t a lack of quality that held them back.
It was timing.
The Hogyssey
Spacehog released its third studio album, The Hogyssey, in 2001.
The record leaned even further into classic glam and art rock influences, embracing lush production and adventurous songwriting.
Although many fans consider it an underrated gem, the album arrived during one of the most difficult periods imaginable for rock releases.
Its launch was overshadowed by the events of September 11, 2001, and promotion quickly stalled.
Without significant label support, the album received little attention despite its musical strengths.
Soon afterward, the band entered an extended hiatus.
Why Spacehog Was Different
Spacehog always occupied a unique position within alternative rock.
They weren’t grunge.
They weren’t Britpop.
They weren’t hard rock.
They weren’t simply glam revivalists.
Instead, they blended elements from all of those styles.
Massive choruses.
Inventive bass lines.
Layered vocal harmonies.
Playful lyrics.
Classic rock influences.
Modern production.
That combination produced music that still sounds remarkably fresh decades later.
The Influence of David Bowie
No discussion of Spacehog is complete without acknowledging David Bowie’s influence.
The band openly embraced Bowie’s willingness to blur genre boundaries, combine theatricality with intelligence, and constantly reinvent rock music.
Yet Spacehog never became a tribute act.
Their songs reflected admiration without becoming imitation.
The result was music that celebrated glam rock’s adventurous spirit while remaining firmly rooted in the 1990s alternative scene.
Reunion and Continued Touring
Following several years apart, Spacehog reunited in the late 2000s.
The band returned to the stage for festival appearances and club tours, reminding longtime fans just how strong their catalog remained.
In 2013, they released As It Is on Earth, their first studio album in more than a decade.
The record demonstrated that the band’s melodic instincts and creative ambition remained fully intact.
Although mainstream radio largely ignored the release, longtime fans welcomed the opportunity to hear new material from one of the era’s most distinctive groups.
Why They Became Forgotten
Spacehog’s relative disappearance from mainstream discussions has little to do with the quality of their music.
Instead, several unfortunate circumstances worked against them.
Their biggest hit arrived during a rapidly changing period for rock music.
Subsequent albums faced shifting musical trends.
The band’s refusal to follow fashionable sounds made them harder to market.
Many casual listeners remember only “In the Meantime,” never realizing how consistently excellent the rest of their catalog truly is.
For those who explore beyond the radio singles, Spacehog offers three outstanding albums filled with memorable songwriting and adventurous musicianship.
The Legacy of Spacehog
Spacehog occupies a fascinating place in the history of 1990s alternative rock. They proved that big melodies, glam-rock swagger, and intelligent songwriting could coexist during an era often associated with darker, stripped-down music. Rather than chasing the latest trend, they forged their own identity by blending classic influences with contemporary alternative rock, creating a sound that was instantly recognizable.
While “In the Meantime” remains their best-known song—and deservedly so—it represents only a fraction of what Spacehog accomplished. Albums like Resident Alien, The Chinese Album, and The Hogyssey showcase a band with remarkable musical imagination, exceptional performances, and a willingness to take creative risks. Their songs remain vibrant, melodic, and refreshingly different from many of their peers.
Today, Spacehog deserves to be remembered not simply as the band behind one unforgettable hit, but as one of the most inventive and overlooked rock groups of the 1990s. Their music continues to reward new listeners, proving that originality and great songwriting never go out of style. For anyone exploring the hidden gems of alternative rock, Spacehog remains one of the decade’s most satisfying rediscoveries.