Originally formed from the ashes of New Zealand indie stalwarts the Gordons and the Clean, Bailter Space began as a trio largely in the loud, off-kilter pop mold of the Flying Nun roster. After the departure of drummer Hamish Kilgour (leaving a trio of singer-guitarist Alister Parker, bassist John Halvorsen, and replacement drummer Brent McLachlan), the band honed a more muscular sound that combined elements of heavy space rock, tortured noise, and hints of pop. Relocating to Manhattan in the mid '90s, they released several albums and EPs on both Matador and Turnbuckle Records before lying low for much of the '00s.