Pulsar (prog. rock, psych. rock / France)

Pulsar is a French progressive rock band formed in the early 70’ in Lyon, France.

The name Pulsar was derived from the dark sun in outer space which can be found only by the sound waves it emits.

Early Pulsar musicians were Jacques Roman (organ, piano, synth), Victor Bosch (drums, percussion), Gilbert Gandil (guitar, vocals) and Philippe Roman (bass).

In the summer of ’74, they were joined by sound-man Gérard Trouve and lightshow operator Armand Fines and a fifth member of the group named Roland Richard on flute and keyboards. The band also needed a manager, and found it with a friend called Xavier Dubuc.

Though Pulsar music is moody, mostly instrumental and very atmospheric at times, they add a symphonic edge to it. Many little musical twists give them an original style in space progressive. Dashes of Kraut & Psych meet in a Symphonic mix...
Pulsar’s music was generally characterized by extended suites with a weighing atmosphere and a Pink Floyd-ish sense of grandeur and mood.
They heavily utilized moog and mellotron to great effect, painting grandiose and often horrific backdrops to the mournful and sedate vocals.
Pulsar sits squarely within the symphonic progressive rock movement, and their fascination with dark atmospheres mixed with symphonic tendencies makes for a sound which is actually quite unique. 

Pulsar Albums are milestones of Seventies Progressive rock.


More info: http://www.thepulsarband.com/biography.php3



Band members:

(1970–1974)
Jacques Roman – synthesizer, keyboard, mellotron
Victor Bosch – drums, percussion
Gilbert Gandil – guitar, lead vocals
Roland Richard – piano, flute
Philippe Roman – bass, vocals, composition

(1975–1980)
Jacques Roman – synthesizer, keyboard, mellotron
Victor Bosch – drums, percussion
Gilbert Gandil – guitar, lead vocals
Roland Richard – piano, flute
Michel Masson – bass

(1981–present)
Jacques Roman – synthesizer, keyboard, mellotron
Victor Bosch – drums, percussion
Gilbert Gandil – guitar, lead vocals
Roland Richard – piano, flute
Louis Paralis – bass


Pollen (1975):

Halloween (1977): 

additional personnel on the album "Halloween":


Xavier Dubuc (congas)
Jean-Louis Rebut (voice)
Sylvia Ekström (voice)
Jean Ristori (cello))

Discography:

1975: Pollen
1976: The Strands of the Future
1977: Halloween
1981: Bienvenue au Conseil d'Administration
1989: Görlitz
2007: Memory Ashes