Spatialization can be traced back to poly-choric compositions in the mid-16th century, and more familiarly to classical and Baroque composers such as Mozart and Bach.

But sound enthusiasts seeking a live fix of spatial compositions – or people who are just really into guitar – have no further to look than ‘Powers.

“Luke [Fields] actually threw out the idea first,” guitarist Brion Kennedy said, of Athens’ only quadrophonic rock band.

“We sort of laughed at the possibility of it and then somehow managed to convince the other guys in the band that it was a good idea.”

‘Powers was conceived around 2004 and played its first show in 2007 with a line-up of Fields (We versus the Shark), Kennedy (Bit Brigade), Bryant Williamson (Cinemechanica) and Jace Bartet (300 Cobras) and Mike Albanese (Cinemechanica).

“It started out as a silly idea of having a band where every instrument was a guitar,” Fields said. “Drums were guitar, vocals were guitar, etc. The silly idea was hatched around just a name: ‘By Your Powers Combined, I Am Captain Planet.’”

‘Powers quadrophonic set-up as a rock band is unique.

“Before we started really getting into it, Bryant and I met Jason Solomon, then a doctoral student, who was writing his dissertation on the theory of spatialized music,” Kennedy said. “Plenty of composers have written spatialized music, but as far as rock bands go, no one has purely focused on writing solely in that medium.”

Spatialization also involves composing in a certain environment. ‘Powers four guitarists – now with Bryan Aiken of Lazer/Wülf in Bartet’s place – set up in the four corners of a room, with Albanese in the center. The crowd stands around and amongst the band.

The inclusive aspect of a ‘Powers performance is evident in its songwriting.

“It was a real headache at first,” Kennedy said. “We call it ”Powers Brain’ when someone hits their breaking point and is completely fried and useless.”

Coordinating guitar parts with three other guitarists is “terrifying, frustrating and remarkably fulfilling,” Fields said.

“We each take turns composing a song and then teach it to others. It is very much a compositional project.”