Conspiracy (band)
| Company type | Musical group |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 2000 |
| Founder | Chris Squire, Billy Sherwood |
| Headquarters | United States |
| Products | Progressive rock music albums and live DVD |
Conspiracy—initially known as The Chris Squire Experiment—was a progressive rock ensemble formed by Chris Squire, the bassist from Yes, alongside Billy Sherwood, who was both a former and later member of Yes. Their discography comprises two studio albums: Conspiracy (2000) and The Unknown (2003), in addition to a live DVD released in 2006.
Squire and Sherwood’s involvement with Yes
During the late 1980s, following the departure of lead vocalist Jon Anderson who went on to create Anderson Bruford Wakeman Howe, Chris Squire recruited Billy Sherwood as a potential lead singer replacement for Yes. At that time, with Trevor Rabin temporarily not active in the band, the lineup included Squire, Alan White, Tony Kaye, Sherwood, and guitarist Bruce Gowdy, who had played alongside Sherwood in World Trade. After Rabin’s return, demo recordings featured Squire, White, Kaye, Rabin, and Sherwood.
Although Squire and Sherwood established a productive songwriting alliance, Sherwood never officially joined Yes and was reluctant to assume Anderson’s role. Even after the Anderson Bruford Wakeman Howe reunion, Sherwood’s position remained unofficial; nonetheless, their co-written track "The More We Live—Let Go" was included on Yes’s 1991 album Union.
The Chris Squire Experiment
In 1992, Squire and Sherwood embarked on a brief US tour under the name The Chris Squire Experiment. This group featured White on drums, Jimmy Haun on guitar—who had contributed significantly to Union—Steve Porcaro on keyboards, and Mark T. Williams handling percussion duties.
Their songwriting partnership extended beyond this period: "The Evolution Song" and "Say Goodbye" were featured on World Trade's sophomore album Euphoria, while their Yes collaboration "Love Conquers All" appeared on the YesYears compilation.
Throughout the 1990s, they developed material intended for an album titled Chemistry under The Chris Squire Experiment moniker. However, after Sherwood officially became a member of Yes in 1996, two tracks from this project—"Open Your Eyes" and "Man in the Moon"—were reworked and included on Yes's 1997 release Open Your Eyes.
Conspiracy
The repurposing of two pieces from Chemistry postponed its release until 2000 when Chris Squire and Billy Sherwood rebranded their collaboration as Conspiracy. The entire set of material originally planned for Chemistry was featured on Conspiracy, with "You are the Light of My Life" renamed "Light in My Life". To distinguish this album from being perceived as merely a reissue, original mixes of the tracks from Open Your Eyes along with an alternate take of World Trade's "Say Goodbye" were included as concealed bonus tracks. Additionally, renditions of Yes's "The More We Live—Let Go" and "Love Conquers All," plus World Trade's "The Evolution Song"—retitled "Watching The World"—were part of the collection, alongside compositions from The Chris Squire Experiment tour.
Vocally, both Squire and Sherwood share lead responsibilities; Squire performs most bass lines while Sherwood manages guitar, keyboards, and some percussion parts. The band name Conspiracy reflected their intention to collaborate with various artists. Guest musicians featured include White, Haun, as well as drummers Jay Schellen and Mark T Williams. The track "Violet Purple Rose" originated from jam sessions involving Squire, Steve Stevens, and Michael Bland with overdubs added by Sherwood.
The Unknown and a live DVD
Conspiracy expanded into a full ensemble led by Squire (bass, vocals), Sherwood (guitar, keyboards, vocals), and Schellen (drums). Their 2003 release, The Unknown, featured guest appearances from Haun, Michael Sherwood (Billy’s sibling), and Jordan Berliant (at that time, Yes's manager). The first edition included a bonus track titled "I Could," which is an alternate take on part of Yes's "Finally" from their 1999 album The Ladder. Several lyrics allude to the events of 9/11. The album’s cover art was created by Bob Cesca, who had previously collaborated with Yes.
Following his departure from Yes in 2000, Sherwood envisioned a project named The Unknown involving Michael Sherwood, Haun, Schellen, and Jonathan Elias; however, this initiative did not advance beyond early development. The title track on Conspiracy’s album was co-written by M. Sherwood and Haun and originated from these initial efforts.
In 2004, the live Conspiracy lineup—comprising Squire (bass, vocals, guitars), B. Sherwood (guitars, keyboards, vocals), Schellen (drums), M. Sherwood (keyboards, vocals), and Scott Walton (keyboards)—prepared for touring but ultimately canceled those plans. A private concert was recorded and subsequently issued on DVD by 2006, featuring performances of Conspiracy material alongside songs from Open Your Eyes and Squire’s 1975 solo work Fish Out of Water.
After Conspiracy: band dissolution and subsequent projects
Plans for a third Conspiracy album were halted when Squire moved from the United States to London. By 2006, Sherwood had taken leadership of the project without Squire’s involvement. This new album was anticipated to include compositions by Sherwood and Gowdy from an aborted World Trade album, with contributions from former Yes members Tony Kaye and Geoff Downes, as well as Gary Green of Gentle Giant. However, in 2007 Sherwood revealed that this project—initially titled Psy-Op—would be released under a different name but was postponed to avoid clashing with the launch of Circa, a new band featuring Sherwood, Kaye, and White. Ultimately, the album was shelved and its material redirected into other ventures.
During a 2007 interview, Sherwood expressed doubt about producing another Conspiracy record due to logistical challenges and instead concentrated on Circa. After relocating to Phoenix, Arizona, Squire mentioned in 2012 that although offers existed for a third Conspiracy release, his commitments with Yes and Squackett restricted his availability. Sherwood confirmed ongoing discussions with Squire about future Conspiracy collaborations but noted difficulties related to scheduling and geography.
By 2013, Squire recognized the potential for another Conspiracy album but remained focused on projects with Yes and Steve Hackett. Meanwhile, Sherwood resumed work with Yes-related activities, and Squire contributed to Sherwood’s efforts; nevertheless, no additional Conspiracy albums materialized. Following Squire’s passing in 2015, the continuation of the project has remained uncertain.
Albums
- 2000: Conspiracy
- 2003: The Unknown
Videos
- 2006: Conspiracy Live
External links
- Albums Conspiracy and The Unknown at Yescography