Album Sleeve Notes, Part 1

Album Sleeve Notes, Part 1

Some of this information was first posted on Frank Weil's Golden Void site, which is no more.

"Well I've been busking for about ten years on and off (still doing it) made a couple of albums (Blues Anthology).....in fact I don't really do much except play music."
DAVE BROCK... vocals, six and twelve string guitars, harmonica and percussion.

"My background is jazz and dance bands, I became interested in electronic music about two years ago, met Dave Brock and found that we had mutual interests".
JOHN A. HARRISON... bass guitar

"Been trying to get the bread together for my own equipment for as long as I can remember (still am), worked as a salesman and on building sites for a while, then was offered a job with equipment, but Hawkwind is the first really interesting musical scene I've been on".
HUW LLOYD .... lead guitar

"My first job was working in a scrap yard, with ample opportunity for totting. I kept it together for two years then decided that it was too much, gave it up, then after looning for a year I finally got some drums together and played with Dave and John, and then Hawkwind happened".
TERRY OLLIS.... drums

"I just dig freaking about on Saxophones. If I could play guitar I'd dig that too. I've bummed around quite a bit on and off the music scene and now with Hawkwind things are even better. (Groove, Groove.)"
NICK TURNER.... Alto sax, vocals, and percussion

"I suppose I've been a wanderer most of my life, and I knew most of the band from different times in my past. I was just about to hit the road for India when I joined, I've got practically no musical knowledge but I figure if you let it become your whole trip, where your involvement is total, you can do anything you like and do it well. Love and Peace"
DIKMIK... Electronics

"This is the beginning. By now we will be past this album. We started out trying to freak people (trippers). Now we are trying to levitate their minds, in a nice way, without acid, with ultimately a complete audio-visual thing. Using a complex of electronics, lights and environmental experiences."
HAWKWIND

Blood greetings O brother, from our great Space Mother. The Saga of Doremi Fasol Latido is a collection of ritualistic space chants, battle hymns, and stellar songs of praise as used by the family clan of Hawkwind on their epic journey to the fabled land of Thorasin. The saga tells of how, back in Mentet 1972, during the terrible age of the machine logic god, Eye See Eye, the lords of the Hawk having fought a desperate but losing guerilla battle against the Bad Vibe squads for several years, called together all their musicnauts, heavy metal kids, thanes, witch sorceresses, groupies, and tributed allies for a final stand. At this famous meeting (the glorious 27th) in the wooded grove of Ladbroke, the assembled forces swore unswerving fealty to the Hawklords fight against the tyranny of the corrupt forces for law and evil. But their situation was hopeless. Surrounded and outnumbered, it will be remembered how the

circle of elders, realising the clan's situation ordered a great magic ceremony of the Ilbrahim where they called for volunteers to make one last desperate bid and seek help externally from the legendary world of Thorasin. This legend spoke of a place of wisdom and peace but it was beyond the astral seas where few men, if any, had travelled. Up stepped brave Baron Brock (vocals, lead guitar, 12 string guitar), Captain Nik (vocals, sax, and flute) and Lemmy the Lurch (vocals, bass and 6 string guitar) Up stepped Dik and Mik (generators and hot electronics) the dwarf leader, Del (synthesiser) and the hound master Simon (drums). And those loyal followers who pledged their word that grim day were the one legged Graham and the faithful men at arms Bob, Steve, and Dave the Mix. Trusted swordsmen Higgy and John the Bog. Up stood Liquid Len and the Lensmen with Alan, Dave, Mike and John. And from the exotic jungles of Actonium came Doug, the fair Jilly, Paul, Auntie Dunkley, Barney, Film and Geraldo. And from the distant shingled worlds came Captain Calvert and his strapping cohort Stacia. They swore to go renegade and that night at the height of the full moon, the merry band emerged for the last time from their feudal forest, and braving fate set course in their silver ships into the unknown. Remember, O reader, that this was in the days before space guild supremacy, space highways have now become legendary and quite rightly, found a way into all incubation halls, hydroponic gardens and even culto/psychic galleries, but never before has the complete saga been published as a unit. The sound scope was made at Rockfield Studios, Monmouth, Wales under the master supervision of Brothers Kinsley, Pat and Ralph, and produced by Hawkwind. Thank you Anton of Olympic. The language remains in its native Terran.

This album, a 1998 compilation of German origin, is subtitled "Best of Singles A's and B's from 1970 to 1980". The sleeves notes were written by Chris Welch, one of the major rock journalists of the 1970's and an extensive contributor to Melody Maker.

A swirl of eerie electronic effects, a hypnotic ethereal theme and a roar of blazing guitars launched one of the most famous themes in the annals of sci-fi rock when it landed from outer space in 1972. Even today 'Silver Machine' epitomises the unique Hawkwind sound, so fondly remembered and cherished by fans around the world. The group whose work we celebrate on this essential CD collection have often been called "the ultimate underground band". However, their best-known hit helped introduce them to a much wider public and ensured a permanent place in rock

history. this song and the others you are about to hear come from the first ten years of an extraordinary career that has spanned three decades.

When Hawkwind arrived at the start of the Seventies, they seemed destined to soar like a shooting star over the skies, then fade from view as they burned up in the heat of their own internal friction. Yet despite many changes, the band remains very active with founding member Dave Brock still at the helm. In recent years their music has leaned more towards the new rave culture, but they are best known for the cosmic trippy space rock once epitomised by 'Silver Machine'. While Hawkwind never aspired to the height of success enjoyed by their predecessors Pink Floyd, in their heyday they were no strangers to the charts. Many musicians and writers have been involved with the Hawkwind phenomenon since it began life on the London hippie scene in 1969. But the spirit of the band has always rested with their leader, Dave Brock.

The guitarist and singer was previously in a group called Famous Cure with guitarist Mick Slattery in 1967. During a tour of Holland they bumped into saxophone player Nik Turner who would become a Hawkwind regular. Dave also played in the Dharma Blues Band, but by 1969 Brock was reduced to busking -playing in the streets- to earn a living. He was determined, however, to form a regular outfit with his mates, which became known as Group X. In July 1969 they played their first gig at All Saints Hall, Notting Hill Gate, London, a performance that led to a management deal and a contract with United Artists Records. They changed their name to Hawkwind Zoo, which swiftly became abbreviated to Hawkwind. With their trippy music, lifestyle and attitudes, the group became heroes of the underground scene. They played mainly community gigs, benefit concerts and free festivals. One of their most celebrated apperances was at the Isle Of Wight Festival in 1970, when they played outside the gates. Jimi Hendrix came to see them perform, though he didn't sit in. THAT would have been too far out! The band had roots in the blues, but developed their acid rock style featuring hard driving arrangements with plenty of guitar solos and effects, accompanied by a light show, smoke, and more importantly as far as the fans were concerned, topless dancing by the legendary Stacia. Hawkwind's first line-up included Dave Brock (guitar, vocals), Dik Mik (electronics), Mick Slattery (guitar), John Harrison (bass), Nik Turner (saxophone) and Terry Ollis (drums). However, before the band could record their first album, 'Hawkwind' (Liberty), Slattery quit the group and was temporarily replaced by Huw Lloyd Langton. John Harrison also left the band shortly after the album was finished, charged with being "too straight" for the hard living hippies. Lloyd Langton left the group not long after the Isle of Wight gig, and Brock assumed lead guitar duties. Del Dettmar, the band's sound mixer, joined as synthesizer player in May 1971, replacing Dik Mik, Later on, Dettmar and Dik Mik played together in the band, which by then included Stacia and bassist Dave Anderson. Exeter-born Stacia gave her first performance with the band at Glastonbury Fayre in June 1971.

Then in August 1971 came one of their most celebrated sidemen, vocalist and bass guitarist Lemmy. Real name Ian Kilminster, he had previously worked as a roadie for Jimi Hendrix. Lemmy was a great character and a 'speed' freak who brought a lot of energy and ideas to the band. However, in May 1975 during a US tour, he was arrested on drugs charges and subsequently fired. Dave Brock has since said that firing Lemmy was "my biggest regret". Lemmy, however, recovered from the blow to form his own highly successful band Motorhead and become one of the most celebrated figures in the heavy metal movement.

While gigs were an integral part of the Hawkwind life style, they also managed to spend plenty of productive time in the studio and would release more than twenty albums in the years ahead. the first, 'Hawkwind', was produced by Pretty Things guitarist Dick Taylor and rleased in August 1970. At the same time they issued their debut single 'Hurry On Sundown' which is included on this CD.

Their more successful second LP, 'In Search Of Space' (October 1971) was to be their first Top Twenty chart album. But the greatest excitement came when Hawkwind gained an unexpected smash hit single with 'Silver Machine', which got to Number 3 in the UK charts in July 1972. The song was co-written by Dave Brock and Robert Calvert and sung by Lemmy. Calvert was an extraordinary character who would have considerable impact on Hawkwind's career. A South African born poet, he came to London where he met Dave Brock in 1970. He also knew Michael Moorcock, the eminent science fiction writer closely connected with the band, who helped organise some of their gigs. Robert wrote imaginative lyrics and later wrote a play about Jimi Hendrix and a book about the music business called 'Hype'. He had been the band's resident poet before joining as a full member at the beginning of 1972.

November 1972 also saw the release of the band's third album, 'Doremi Fasol Latido' (United Artists), and at the same time, the underground group found themselves performing 'Silver Machine' on BBC TV's 'Top Of The Pops'. The follow-up single, 'Urban Guerrilla', was actually a more exciting piece, which had overtones of the Rolling Stones and even seemed to presage punk rock with its spiky delivery. However, due to the political climate caused by a terrorist bombing campaign in London, the single had to be withdrawn after reaching number 39 in the chart. It was a blow, and Hawkwind never had another commercial hit, apart from the occasions when 'Silver Machine' re-entered the charts. Calvert left the band in 1973 before Hawkwind's first US tour, intending to record his solo album 'Captain Lockheed & The Starfighters' (1974) but rejoined in 1975 as lead singer.

Other important figures came and went with alarming speed. Huw Lloyd Langton, who had replaced Mick Slattery to record the first album, left in September 1970 but eventually returned in the Eighties. Another Hawkwind recruit was Harvey Bainbridge (vocals, bass and synths) who co-wrote much of their later material. Simon King was one of the regular drummers, and he also played in the subsequent Hawklords line-up.

The group, meanwhile, continued to release a flood of albums, including the double set 'Space Ritual' (1973) which got to number 9 in the UK album chart, and 'Hall Of The Mountain Grill' (1974). This was named in honour of a working man's cafe in the Portobello Road where Dave Brock dined and which was also frequented by Marc Bolan and David Bowie in their hippie days. Next came 'Warrior On The Edge Of Time' (1975) followed by 'Astounding Sounds, Amazing Music' (1976) and 'Quark Strangeness & Charm' (1977). The title track of the latter album reflected, to an extent, Calvert's fascination with new discoveries in particle physics. At least it made a good hook phrase!

In 1977, founding member Nik Turner left the group, fired due to excessive saxophone soloing on stage (!), but Dave Brock continued working with Robert Calvert who fronted the band during the the 1978 season. In June 1978 Hawkwind were renamed the Hawklords, for contractual reasons, and toured with a line-up that included Calvert, Bainbridge, King and Brock.

In 1979, Hawkwind rose again and the band would face the new challenge of the Eighties, taking on board such musicians as Tim Blake (synthesizer) and, in an unexpected move, ex-Cream drummer Ginger Baker. Sadly, Robert Calvert, who had left the band again in '79, suffered several emotional breakdowns and subsequently died of a heart attack in 1988. The band issued some 16 albums in the Eighties and many more CD's in the next decade. They include 'Levitation' (1980), 'Sonic Attack' (1981), 'Friends and Relations' (1982) and 'Choose Your Masques' (1982), by which time the line-up included Brock, Bainbridge, Lloyd Langton and Martin Griffin (drums). 'Space Bandits' was released in 1990 as the band empathised with the renewed interest in space rock and techno developments, and embarked in 1992 on a successful US tour. Often in and out of fashion, Hawkwind managed to retain a hard-core following and were cheerfully embraced by the rave culture. Led by Dave Brock, the chief Space Bandit, they embarked on a major new tour in 1997 with scheduled visits to Spain, Australia, New Zealand and the US.

Long may Hawkwind reign! After 25 years of psychedelic rock, the band's classic recordings, epitomised by such titles as 'Kings Of Speed', 'Lord Of Light' and 'Forge Of Vulcan' can still blow you away. They are just some of the highlights of a CD that beams up the Hawkwind message from the distant depths of space and time!

This album is a tribute to Bob Calvert, poet, writer, musician extraordinaire. Bob is no longer with us (he died of a heart attack) but his spirit lives on in numerous recordings, these being some of the best - you can feel the energy generating from the grooves.

Hawkwind, and here the Hawklords, are one of the most underrated bands in the world. Their influence on the music scene is apparent still in many bands to this day. Dave Brock still leads Hawkwind ever onward and his spacey guitar playing can be heard to its full advantage here with Bob, megaphone at the ready, storming into the universe. So tune in and take off!

-John Lewis, Music World