Hawkwind
Band members Related acts
|
line up 1 (1969) as Group X and Hawkwind Zoo - Dave Brock -- vocals, guitar, keyboards, harmonica - Dik Mik -- synthesizers, electronics - John Harrison -- bass - Terry Ollis -- drums, percussion - Mick Slattery -- guitar - Nik Turner -- vocals, sax, flute, and audio generator
line up 2 (1969-70) as Hawkwind - Dave Brock -- vocals, guitar, keyboards, harmonica - John Harrison -- bass - Dik Mik -- synthesizers, electronics NEW - Huw Lloyd-Langton -- guitar (replaced Mick Slattery) - Terry Ollis -- drums, percussion - Nik Turner -- vocals, sax, flute, and audio generator
line up 3 (1970) - Dave Brock -- vocals, guitar, keyboards, harmonica NEW - Thomas Crimble -- bass (replaced John Harrison) NEW - Del Dettmar -- keyboards, synthesizers, electronics (replaced Huw Lloyd-Langton) - Dik Mik -- audio generator, electronics NEW - Michael Moorcock -- lyrics - Terry Ollis -- drums, percussion NEW - Stacia -- dancer - Nik Turner -- vocals, sax, flute, and audio generator
line up 4 (1970-71) NEW - Dave Anderson -- bass, guitar - Dave Brock -- vocals, guitar, keyboards, harmonica - Del Dettmar -- keyboards, synthesizers, electronics - Dik Mik -- audio generator, electronics - Michael Moorcock -- lyrics - Terry Ollis -- drums, percussion - Stacia -- dancer - Nik Turner -- vocals, sax, flute, and audio generator
line up 5 (1971-73) - Dave Brock -- vocals, guitar, keyboards, harmonica NEW - Robert Calvert -- vocals - Del Dettmar -- keyboards, synthesizers, electronics NEW - Simon King -- drums, percussion (replaced Terry Ollis) NEW - Lemmy (aka Ian Kilmister) -- vocals, bass (replaced Dave Anderson) - Dik Mik -- audio generator, electronics - Stacia -- dances - Nik Turner -- vocals, sax, flute, and audio generator
line up 6 (1973-74) - Dave Brock -- vocals, guitar, keyboards, harmonica NEW - Simon House -- keyboards, synthesizers, violin (replaced Del Dettmar) - Simon King -- drums, percussion - Lemmy (aka Ian Kilmister)-- vocals, bass - Michael Moorcraft -- lyrics - Stacia -- dances - Nik Turner -- vocals, sax, flute, and audio generator
line up 7 (1974) - Dave Brock -- vocals, guitar, keyboards, harmonica - Simon House -- keyboards, synthesizers, violin - Simon King -- drums, percussion - Lemmy (aka Ian Kilmister) -- vocals, bass NEW - Alan Powell -- drums, percussion - Stacia -- dances - Nik Turner -- vocals, sax, flute, and audio generator
line up 8 (1975-77) - Dave Brock -- vocals, guitar, keyboards, harmonica NEW - Robert Calvert -- vocals - Simon House -- keyboards, synthesizers, violin - Simon King -- drums, percussion - Alan Powell -- drums, percussion NEW - Paul Rudolph -- bass, vocals (replaced Lemmy) - Nik Turner -- vocals, sax, flute, and audio generator
line up 9 (1977) - Dave Brock -- vocals, guitar, keyboards, harmonica - Robert Calvert -- vocals - Simon House -- keyboards, synthesizers, violin - Alan Powell -- drums, percussion NEW - Adrian Shaw -- bass (replaced Paul Rudolph)
line up 10 (1977) - Dave Brock -- vocals, guitar, keyboards, harmonica - Robert Calvert -- vocals - Paul Hayles -- keyboards, synthesizers (replaced Simon House) NEW - Simon King -- drums, percussion - Alan Powell -- drums, percussion - Adrian Shaw -- bass
line up 11 (1977) - Dave Brock -- vocals, guitar, keyboards, harmonica - Paul Hayles -- keyboards, synthesizers (replaced Simon House) - Simon King -- drums, percussion - Alan Powell -- drums, percussion - Adrian Shaw -- bass
|
- Amon Dull II (Dave Anderson) - Dave Brock (solo efforts) - Butterfly (Simon King) - Robert Calvert (solo efforts) - Chicken Shack (Alan Powell) - The Demented Soulds - The Deviants (Paul Rudolph) - Deep Fix (Michael Moorcock) - Famous Cure (Dave Brock and Mick Slattery) - Group X - The Hawklords (David Brock, Robert Calvert, and Simon King) - Hawkwind Zoo - High Tide (Simon House) - Inner City Blues (Nik Turner) - Jo Allen & teh Shapes - Huw Lloyd-Langton Group (Huw Lloyd-Langton) - Magic Muscle (Adrian Shaw) - Melodic Energy Commission - Michael Moorcock (solo efforts) - Motorhead (Lemmy) - Opal Butterfly (Simon King) - Pink Fairies (Lemmy and Paul Rudolph) - Pinkwind - Psychedelic Warriors - Skin Alley - Smartpits - Sonic Assasssins - Space Ritual - Sphinx (Nik Turner) - Stackridge (Alan Powell) - Star Nation - Tanz der Youth - Third Ear Band (Simon House) - Ugly Dog (Paul Rudolph) - Widowmaker |
|
Genre: progressive Rating: 4 stars **** Title: In Search of Space Company: United Artists Catalog: UAS-5567 Country/State: UK Grade (cover/record): VG / VG+ Comments: gimmick sleeve; no insert Available: SOLD Catalog ID: SOLD 6221 Price: SOLD $50.00
|
Ah, seemingly everyone's favorite space cowboys ... It's amazing how many reviews are out there on this album. So here's my two cents worth.
Released in 1972, the George Chkiantz produced "In Search of Space" (they clearly located inner space ...), found Hawkwind having undergone a series of personnel change with bassist John Crimble replaced by Amon Duul II alumni Dave Anderson and the band's former sound engineer Del Dettmar stepping in to replace guitarist Huw Lloyd-Langton who had gone out on extended medical leave after a bad tab of acid found him during a performance at the Isle of Wight Festival. The album also marked the start of the band's collaboration with poet Robert Calvert, sci-fi writer Michael Moorcraft, and the debut of 'interpretive' dancer Stacia whose significant contributions graced the album's back cover. Beyond the personnel shakeups, the album itself had a troubled beginning. Original recorded sessions took place at George Martin's AIR Studios, but were moved after the band's recording habits brought them into conflict with the studio staff (they reportedly tried to spike the studio staffs' drinks with LSD). The album also brought the band into contact with poet and future band member Robert Calvert who contributed to the 24 page The Hawkwind Log insert found in the original album package. Calvert's contributions made about as much sense as the rest of the album: "The spacecraft Hawkwind was found by Captain RN Calvert of the Société Astronomæ (an international guild of creative artists dedicated in eternity to the discovery and demonstration of extra-terrestrial intelligence) on 8 July 1971 in the vicinity of Mare Librium near the South Pole. The discovery of the Hawkwind has led to more wild speculation than any of the mysteries of space that we have so far encountered. The facts surrounding the discovery of this drifting two-dimensional spaceship have been so distorted by guesswork and rumour that any further attempts at assessment would only increase the density of the fog." So what to make of the results ? Well, given the turmoil surrounding the band and their acid soaked existence, it was amazing they managed to actually record an album. Similarly, the fact that some of these songs managed to incorporate moderately recognizable musical concepts such as rhythm and melody was equally impressive (anyone who didn't believe that need only check out the acoustic ballad 'We Took the Wrong Step Years Ago'). Still, Hawkwind fans seem on the fence with respect to this one with some holding it the highest esteem, others less impressed. To my ears it was certainly better than the debut, but didn't reach the mythological heights hardcore fans hold it in. I guess I'm trying to say it featured a mixture of hits and misses.
- Opening up with an ominous array of synthesizer and oscillator burps and belches, over the next 15 minutes 'You Shouldn't Do That' proved an Hawkwind oddity that somehow managed to combined some of the trippiest sounds you've ever heard (courtesy of Dik Mik and newcomer Del Dettmar) with a surprisingly funky beat (courtesy of new bassist Anderson and drummer Terry Ollis). Even Turner's extended discordant sax wailing couldn't derail this one once it got going. The bizarre refrain which seemed to be saying ''chip du lay" was almost hypnotic. Picture an aural train wreck ... this had the same kind of fascination. It's also a song you'll either love, or hate with a true passion. No exceptions to the rule. rating: ***** stars - 'You Know You're Only Dreaming' started out with some surprisingly smooth harmony vocals, morphing into an ominous ballad full of squealing guitar feedback and synthesizer burps and then degenerating into an acid-fueled discordant jazz-rock jam session. Hawkwind fans seem to adore this one, but it just doesn't do much for me. rating: ** stars - In spite of the goofy, sci-fi tinged lyrics and cheesy synthesizer sounds, 'Master of the Universe' showed these guys could actually play something akin to conventional hard rock. Mind you, there was no way you'd mistake these guys for Deep Purple, Sabbath, or Zeppelin, but this was still a ballsy slice of hard rock. Once again Turner's sax was a mild distraction (you kind of wondered if he actually knew how to play it, or was simply filling up space with a quirky array of sound effects), but given the song's pounding refrain Turner's contributions were't a big deal one way or the other. A major surprise and quite enjoyable. rating: **** stars - Talk about an abrupt gear shift. Out of the blue 'We Took the Wrong Step Years Ago' found the band shifting from one of their heaviest rock numbers to one of their prettiest folk-rock numbers. Showcasing a beautiful and poignant lyric, shimmering acoustic twelve string guitars (with Dettmar's electronic sound effects scattered in the background), this was simply a showstopper. Besides, how often can you use the adjective 'beautiful' with a Hawkwind tune ? The album's biggest surprise and one of my favorite tracks. rating: **** stars - 'Adjust Me' found the band wasting vinyl grooves with needless and mindless improvised experimentation. Imagine the soundtrack for a third rate stalker film and you know what to expect on this one. Okay, I'll admit the speeded up vocal track repeating the title track 'adjust me' over and over again made me giggle. I'm guessing in a live setting Stacia would have been in the spotlight while the band plugged away on this one. rating: ** stars - 'Children of the Sun' found Hawkwind returning to an acoustic folk mode. With a strong, almost martial melody, once again, the results were surprisingly impressive and enjoyable; to my ears the song baring a modest resemblance to some of Pink Floyd's more melodic output. By the way, that was meant as a compliment. For cryin' out loud, as lead singer Brock seldom sounded as good and even Turner's flute sounded decent on this one. rating: **** stars
As you can tell, I'm not a mega-Hawkwind fan, but this one was good enough to warrant further investigation into the band's extensive recording catalog.
"In Search
of Space" track listing: 1.) You
Shouldn't Do That (Nik Turner - Dave Brock) - 15:42 (side
2)
No matter what you may think of the album itself, the Barney Bubbles designed die cut album cover was certainly cool. In case anyone was interested, the blurred naked woman on the back cover was band 'dancer' Stacia.
For what it's worth, the album was re-mastered before being re-released in 1996. Nothing wrong with that, except some of the original tracks were re-recorded with new vocals added. The reissue also included three 'additional' tracks that weren't found on the original:
1.) 'Seven By Seven' 2.) 'Silver Machine' 3.) 'Born To Go' (live)
So ... if you want to hear the original version you're stuck looking for a vinyl copy.
|
|
Genre: progressive Rating: 4 stars **** Title: Quark Strangeness and Charm Company: Charisma Catalog
:
CDS 4008 Country/State: UK Grade (cover/record): VG+/VG+ Comments: UK pressing Available: 1 Catalog ID: 237 Price: $40.00
|
I've seldom heard an album with a title that was as appropriate as this 1977 Hawkwind release. Seriously, "Quark Strangeness and Charm" manages to describe the album far more concisely than any rambling, drawn out pretentious review - naturally that won't stop me from adding my lengthy comments ...
So give these space-rock pioneers credit. In the midst of the punk explosion, rather than just call it a day, they decided to give it another shot. Here's part of what the liner notes had to say: "This is just a small message to let you know we are back on course. Last year was the worst year for us, finding us in debt and out of touch with the modern world. We have had a few changes: the sacking of Nik Turner, Paul Rudolph and Alan Powell and the arrival of Adrian Shaw, our old friend from 'Magic Muscle' ... So once again, we'll try and get the motors running." Adding to the personnel changes, during the recording sessions, bassist Paul Rudolph was fired. Rudolph apparently hadn't shown enough enthusiasm for the band's new musical direction and was quickly replaced by former Magic Muscle bassist Adrian Shaw. Creatively that meant singer Robert Calvert took over the reigns, driving the group into a strange world combining science fiction themes with a more commercial sound that occasionally took a nod towards punk, new wave, and even Krautrock influences. Calvert's sci-fi influences were abundantly clear on material like 'Spirit of the Age', ''Damnation Alley', and the title track. I won't admit to understanding it all, but there's a good chance the band didn't either. As for the new wave influences; well they were scattered throughout the album and the Simon House instrumental 'The Forge of Vulcan' even sounded like a Kraftwerk outtake. Admittedly it took me a couple of spins to get acclimated to the new Hawkwind, but after settling down, I have to admit it wasn't half bad and actually grew on you with time.
- Opening up with an array of sound effects, including snippets of radio static and morse code (spelling out S.O.S.), 'Spirit of the Age' sounded like something the band had snagged from Kraftwerk. Calvert's cold, robotic, new wave vocals and totally bizarre sci-fi lyrics seemingly having something to do with life as a clone, made this one a total hoot. rating: **** stars YouTube has a cool video of the song at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0nUQJjaXi-A - Hum, Hawkwind goes boogie rock with a Robert Calvert lyric inspired by Roger Zelany's post-apocalypse book ... You wouldn't think it could work, but these guys somehow managed to pull if off with 'Damnation Alley' and before you know it you'll be humming along to the "armor plated Pony Express" chorus. rating: **** stars - And if you're one of those folks who didn't think Hawkwind could write a commercial song to save their lives, there's the atmospheric ballad 'Fable of a Failed Race'. Seriously, no matter how you feel about the rest of their catalog, there's no denying that Robert Calvert and Dave Brock crafted a beautiful and thought provoking song here. The only complaint is that this version is far too brief. rating: **** stars - 'Quark, Strangeness and Charm' was a great example of the band's sudden adaptability. Built on a jittery, new wave-ish melody, the song was actually quite energetic, unbelievably short (for Hawkwind), and funny ! Yes, Calvert's lyrics that included commentary on Albert Einstein's sexual prowess were funny. YouTube has a clip of the band performing the song on Marc Bolan's television program. The appearance came as a result of the two acts sharing the same management company. It's funny to hear Bolan introduce the group as his "best friends" given Dave Brock's dislike for Bolan was so intense, he refused to participate in the taping. (The story was that Bolan had thrown Brock out of one of his parties after Brock upstaged Bolan's guitar playing. A crime Brock never forgot.) For the video Shaw and Calvert covered for Brock. Always felt sorry for the stuffed Hawk that Calvert's holding at the end of the song. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lFPLgGWMndc rating: **** stars - Apparently partially inspired by the Muslim missionary Hassan-i Sabbāh, 'Hassan I Sahba' managed to meld a middle eastern flavor melody with lyrics that touched on everything from has, to the Palestinian Black September terrorist organization, and petrodollars. I'm just not smart enough to fully understand what in the world Calvert was thinking about, but given the Alan Powell and Adrian Shaw rhythm section's take-no-prisoners performance, I'm not sure it mattered. rating: **** stars - Penned by multi-instrumentalist Simon House, the instrumental 'The Forge of Vulcan' found the band seemingly taking a stab at Krautrock. House provides the keyboards and synthesizers - not sure who was responsible for playing what sounded like an anvil. About all I can say is it sounded very Kraftwerk-ish to my ears. rating: ** stars - A rollicking, seemingly autobiographical look at the band's history, 'The Days of the Underground' was another surprisingly commercial track. Yeah, probably not top-40 material, but it actually had a nice new-wave angst to it with Calvert sounding like his belt was a bit too tight. rating: *** stars - Seemingly inspired by Gustav Holst's 'Mars', the album closed out with the brief instrumental 'The Iron Dream'. It was the album's toughest performance, but was simply too brief to make much of an impression. rating: *** stars
A couple of singles were floated off the album:
Italy - 1977's 'Hassan I Sahba' b/w 'Damnation Alley' (Charisma catalog number 6079 470) France - 1977's ' Hassan I Sahba' b/w 'Fable of a Failed Race (Charisma catalog number 6837 428) Germany - 1977's 'Quark, Strangeness and Charm' b/w 'Iron Dream' (Charisma catalog number 6073 399) UK - 1977's 'Quark, Strangeness and Charm' b/w 'The Forge of Vulcan' (Charisma catalog number CB 305)
Quite different from their usual sound, but enjoyable. Well worth looking for. Backed by a series of English and European tours, the album sold well in England, peaking at # 30 on the LP charts. It did little in the States.
"Quark
Strangeness and Charm" track listing: 1.) Spirit of the Age (Dave Brock - Robert Calvert) - 7:20 2.) Damnation Alley (Dave Brock - Robert Calvert - Simon House) - 9:06 3.) Fable of a
Failed Race (Dave Brock - Robert Calvert) - 3:15 (side
2) 2.) Hassan I Sahba (Robert Calvert - Paul Rudolph) - 5:21 3.) The Forge of Vulcan (Simon House) - 3:05 4.) The Days of the Underground (Dave Brock - Robert Calvert) -3:13 5.) The Iron Dream (instrumental) (Simon King) - 1:53
|
BACK TO BADCAT PAYMENT INFORMATION
