The many faces of Hawkwind.
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Forum Description: General progressive music discussions
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Topic: The many faces of Hawkwind.
Posted By: 3rd Impression
Subject: The many faces of Hawkwind.
Date Posted: March 19 2005 at 15:56
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Teaser here for the most brave. How many different member changes has there been in the bands history?
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Replies:
Posted By: Zero the hero
Date Posted: March 21 2005 at 05:23
3rd impression.very hard question to answer without reading up.I know there was a hell of a lot of line-up changes to the band over the years.I was'nt too much into the punk type phase the band went through but in general fantastic & awesome live. |
3rd Impression wrote:Posted By: Blacksword
Date Posted: March 21 2005 at 05:36
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I think I heard that over 70 people have been in the band over the years. It was Dave Brock that said that, and if he cant be certain, then I dont think anyone here can! I know they have over 120 albums to their name too!.. Although, I'm sure someone like Certif1ed will have a go, he's probably even more of a Hawkfan than me Zero, I think the 'punk' phase they went through, was pretty good. It was contraversial though. Bob Calverts singing was excellent, quite Bowie meets Hammill IMO. I think the band lost a lot of support after they sacked Lemmy. I think many fans considered him an integral part of the band. Calvert also worked in a way that the band didn't appreciate. He banned cannabis from the studio whilst working on 'Astounding Sounds..' album in 1976. This didn't go down well with Simon King or Nik Turner who were having frequent fist fights with Calvert. The singer wanted to be more proffessional sounding, and to intergrate more with the new wave/punk explosion. The others thought different. Nevertheless, I really like 'Astounding Sounds..' 'PXR5' and 'Quark Strabgeness & Charm' They are strange albums, and with the exception of Kings dreadful drumming, they did have a more professional sound than before. But, minus the mellotron, Hammond organ and druggy chaos of the earlier albums, were they still Hawkwind?? Classic Hawkwind albums, besides the above, IMO: Hall of the mountain Grill ------------- Ultimately bored by endless ecstasy! |
Posted By: Zero the hero
Date Posted: March 21 2005 at 06:09
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Blacksword.Yes i had read over 70 members which is pretty fantastic. I do have a soft spot for the period 'Sonic attack'/'Choose your masques' etc.I did attend the gigs at the time which were unbelievable. you may be interested in the below band.Very good indeed. Sea Shanties (69), High Tide (70), Interesting Times (69-70, released 87), Precious Cargo (70, released 89; live studio jam), One of the most innovative British bands of all time and the only band that seriously got the heavy and the complex down perfectly at the same time. 1969's Sea Shanties is a monster album that was the platform that this quartet launched their heavy brand of progressive pyrotechnics on the world. Featuring future Hawkwinder Simon House on violin, these guys will appeal very much to the Hawkwind fan, yet were much more complex and dynamic Hard rock progressive four-piece featuring guitar, bass, drums and violin, with vocals as well. Of Sea Shanties- a very crude production with lots of rough edges, but the performance is nonetheless good.....soundwise it might hint of early Hawkwind, though High Tide's music is far more structured, but every bit as free spirited, and the violin makes it all pretty unique. High Tide was a quartet that was part of the burgeoning UK proto-prog/hard rock scene in the late '60s/early '70s. Sea Shanties and High Tide are driving, intense music that, at times, sounds like Jim Morrison jamming with Hawkwind but with more intensity and without the plodding guitar. I'm not a real fan of Hawkwind but this is much better, rockin' music. Simon House's (later of Hawkwind) provides an interesting contrast to the guitar work and provides a unique touch not found in many of the early UK bands, such as Mighty Baby, Gravy Train, or Mayblitz. Start with Sea Shanties.
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Posted By: Blacksword
Date Posted: March 21 2005 at 06:16
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Yeah, I've heard of High Tide (I think) They sound interesting. Hawkwind often frustrated me, because I could hear their potential in all their music, but it only really ever came to fruition on a few albums IMO. They often lacked structure and discipline. High Tide probably sought to plug these creative gaps and grab some of that Hawkwind market. Simon House was one of the good musicians who passed through their ranks. I love his playing on 'Quark Strangenes & Charm' I think he was poached by Bowie later on. Thanks for the info on High Tide, I shall look into them. I have a soft spot for the '85 - 87 era, which alot of Hawkfans dont! They were pretty Heavy Metal at this point, but thats when I went to see them. You may be alittle older than me ------------- Ultimately bored by endless ecstasy! |
Posted By: Zero the hero
Date Posted: March 21 2005 at 06:47
Simon house was a very good musician indeed.As you mentioned David Bowie,i think Simon was guest on the Bowie 'Stage' album. I'm in my early '40's & did'nt attend Hawk gigs till around the 'Levitation' time.
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Posted By: Blacksword
Date Posted: March 21 2005 at 11:08
I aint far behind you, Zero, I'm 36. Didn't see HW until I was 16 (1986) Sometimes I find it frustrating that I didn't live through the prog heyday of the early 70's, but I guess we shouldn't wish ourselves to be older!! ------------- Ultimately bored by endless ecstasy! |