Space rockers from France? That’s Alpha Pilot. They’re a bit weird and a lot interesting – and we have three free tracks from them here. Makes them the latest providers for Track Of The Day. Or, to be accurate, Triple Tracks Of The Day! Click here for previous Tracks Of The Day.

Words: Sleazgrinder

If I tell you that the very exciting new French super rock outfit Alpha Pilot is an offshoot of alt-rockers Atomic Garden – and you are not actually French – it probably won’t help much in explaining who they are. Suffice to say, the kindly citizens of Clermont-Ferrand would have zero reason to rock out on the weekends if it were not for Atomic Garden. For the past 10 years, they’ve been a vital, vibrant part of the French indie rock scene. The band are still going strong, but clearly, they didn’t write enough stoner rock jams about unicorns. And so, Alpha Pilot were born.

Alpha Pilot’s debut album – in rugged and beautiful vinyl, no less – is about to hit the streets. It’s heavy, weird, and catchy, like Terrorvision jamming with Queens Of The Stone Age at the Eiffel Tower. In space. The helmeted blastronauts behind this vital new document have graciously offered us three blistering tracks to sample. First, however, a bit of back and forth with the band. On hand to answer my queries: Spacemaster X7, on main-thrusters; Hunter S Strode, bass player and anti-gravity expert; and the cleverly named Adam Brown. He plays the guitar.

So, how did this unique collaboration come together?

Spacemaster X7: I’d actually been away from music for about three years, after being in two different bands and releasing albums with both of them. Something came over me, and told me that I had to start a new band, so that I could keep up the rock’n'roll way of life. You know, getting naked after too many beers on a Saturday night, and eventually, if possible, making a record and playing some show

Hunter Strode: It’s a simple story, really. “Hey, let’s play a band together and play heavy stuff!”  “Cool!” “Let’s do our first record, and play some gigs!” “Cool!” The keyword here is ‘easy’.

Adam Brown: The truth is, Alpha Pilot is an enigmatic character, and we’re all working for him.

Do you guys have a favourite bar/pub? There’s a good chance you’ll get free drinks from Classic Rock readers if you tell us where it is.

Spacemaster X7: We like all of them, all over the world, as long as they have beer.

Who, among the band members, has had the worst day job?

Adam Brown: I don’t know, two of us work in a factory, so that’s pretty bad. I think most day jobs have their bad sides, but it’s like the Supersuckers sing: ‘Rock’n'roll records ain’t selling this year.’ So you need to find a job to pay the rent, no matter what. It makes me think about a friend who had this one fuckin’ job – standing on the road with a sign. Now, that’s a tough job.

Jane Birkin or France Gall? You can only have one.

Spacemaster X7:  Jane Gall, clearly.

Hunter S. Strode: C’mon, be serious. France Gall is definitely the coolest, especially her 80s songs. (Click here for the devastating proof – Ed.)

Given your name, do you have a favourite astronaut?

Hunter S. Strode: Yes, Michael Collins. He’s the third guy in Apollo 11, the one nobody cares about. Buzz Aldrin and Neil Armstrong went to the moon, he stayed in orbit. I love great losers like this.

Please tell us about three bands that you think Classic Rock readers may not know about, but would certainly enjoy if they did?

Spacemaster  X7: Man Made Monster. Not the one on MySpace, by the way. Also Sleazy Arse, and of course, Atomic Garden.

What’s up for you guys next year?

Spacemaster X7:  We’ll be playing some shows and scraping up enough money to do another record. We want to try to do a record each year. We might also walk on Mars, or at least make a fake video in the desert. Also, we plan on being kind to a lot of people.

Lofty goals. So, how do people get a copy of this record?

Spacemaster X7: The album has been be available everywhere since November 29 digitally, but if, like us, you like the true charm of a rock record, the album will be available on (orange!) vinyl through our website www.alphapilot.tk in a couple of days. End transmission.

I highly recommend you score the hot wax while it lasts, but until that happens, here, courtesy the band, is a trio of tracks to get you through the weekend. If you like ‘em, go orange, or go home.

Lee Harvey: go here

The Unicorn And The Wasp: go here

Ghost Town Blues: go here