Have you worked it out yet? Lastwind? Sonic Assassin? Flicknife records? Yup, that's right. Lastwind feature a bloke who used to be in Hawkwind. Ish. For about five minutes. But, hey, you've got to grab it where you can. It's the brainchild of keyboard player Paul Hayles, who started life in Ark, a West of England, Grateful Dead type band who supported Hawkwind and Gong, which led to him to teaming up with Dave Brock and Robert Calvert in their post Hawkwind outfit, Sonic Assassins, with fellow Ark members Harvey Bainbridge and Martin Griffin, names that Hawkwind fans will be more familiar with.
Mr Hayles ended up in Hawkwind for a 1978 US tour, before chucking it in and moving to France. Which just shows how bad things must have been in Hawkwind at the time. France. Life then got in the way, but he never abandoned music, even supporting Hawkwind on their 2006 tour. Now he's teamed up with Latch Manghat - guitar, vocals, Sol Latif - guitar, former Groundhogs drummer Ken Pustelnik and bassist Hugo Morgan. Although how many of them are real names, and how many are for tax purposes, is open to debate.
And, basically, it's a space rock album. As you would expect. If you're wondering what era of Hawkwind it's like, then fittingly, it's late seventies style. So you get the driving riffs, the swooshy keyboards, and the vocals that sound as they've been recorded at the end of a tunnel. As it should be. Things kick off with an instrumental called 'Return Of A Sonic Assassin', which is, like, just in case you didn't read the opening paragraph, before the out and out HWisms of 'Winds Of Time', which is a lot better than some of the keech the real HW has punted out.
Elsewhere, they get a bit dancey on 'King Arthur', a bit psychedelic on 'Daytrippers', a bit political on 'Who Dat Man' and go all stoner on 'Which Way When'. Sure, there are a couple of tracks that the skip button was invented for (say hello to 'She's A Girl'), but as space rock goes, this is Championship material, with the odd pretension to Premier League status. It's 90% enjoyable, and if you are one of those folks who drool a wee bit whenever a space rock album arrives, then get your tissues ready.
Buy CD From Amazon
Edited by zeitgeist, Jul 6 2012, 11:11 AM.
http://s14.zetaboards.com/Zeitgeist/topic/6702500/1/
And here's a link to another terrific review, this time on the Metalmouth website.
http://www.metalmouth.net/2012/07/lastwind-return-of-a-sonic-assassin/
Reply
Flicknife Records / Blog
Davey And Bothwell Say Farewell...
It is with a heavy heart that we announce that Cat and I have decided to leave Gunslinger at the end of 2012 to pursue our own musical direction in a new band. We would like to thank everyone who has supported us, all the amazing friends we've made and especially Alan Davey for giving us the best/craziest 3 years of our lives! But Gunslinger never dies. See you on the road, Louis Davey and Cat Bothwell So Gunslinger are looking for a new drummer (male or female). If you think you are up to the job, apply at mg2j1@talktalk.net
Reply
Lastwind Reviews
Have you worked it out yet? Lastwind? Sonic Assassin? Flicknife records? Yup, that's right. Lastwind feature a bloke who used to be in Hawkwind. Ish. For about five minutes. But, hey, you've got to grab it where you can. It's the brainchild of keyboard player Paul Hayles, who started life in Ark, a West of England, Grateful Dead type band who supported Hawkwind and Gong, which led to him to teaming up with Dave Brock and Robert Calvert in their post Hawkwind outfit, Sonic Assassins, with fellow Ark members Harvey Bainbridge and Martin Griffin, names that Hawkwind fans will be more familiar with.
Mr Hayles ended up in Hawkwind for a 1978 US tour, before chucking it in and moving to France. Which just shows how bad things must have been in Hawkwind at the time. France. Life then got in the way, but he never abandoned music, even supporting Hawkwind on their 2006 tour. Now he's teamed up with Latch Manghat - guitar, vocals, Sol Latif - guitar, former Groundhogs drummer Ken Pustelnik and bassist Hugo Morgan. Although how many of them are real names, and how many are for tax purposes, is open to debate.
And, basically, it's a space rock album. As you would expect. If you're wondering what era of Hawkwind it's like, then fittingly, it's late seventies style. So you get the driving riffs, the swooshy keyboards, and the vocals that sound as they've been recorded at the end of a tunnel. As it should be. Things kick off with an instrumental called 'Return Of A Sonic Assassin', which is, like, just in case you didn't read the opening paragraph, before the out and out HWisms of 'Winds Of Time', which is a lot better than some of the keech the real HW has punted out.
Elsewhere, they get a bit dancey on 'King Arthur', a bit psychedelic on 'Daytrippers', a bit political on 'Who Dat Man' and go all stoner on 'Which Way When'. Sure, there are a couple of tracks that the skip button was invented for (say hello to 'She's A Girl'), but as space rock goes, this is Championship material, with the odd pretension to Premier League status. It's 90% enjoyable, and if you are one of those folks who drool a wee bit whenever a space rock album arrives, then get your tissues ready.
Buy CD From Amazon Edited by zeitgeist, Jul 6 2012, 11:11 AM.
http://s14.zetaboards.com/Zeitgeist/topic/6702500/1/
And here's a link to another terrific review, this time on the Metalmouth website.
http://www.metalmouth.net/2012/07/lastwind-return-of-a-sonic-assassin/
Reply
Here is the Flicknife news!
Flicknife Records are very happy to announce the signing of SLYDIGS. The Warrington band looks set to follow in their fellow citizens' footsteps, The Stone Roses. The NME said of ‘Electric Love’, their debut, self-released single: 'One of 5 tracks you must listen to this week’. The band has signed for an album and three singles. Their first album due for release in September (date TBC) will be promoted partly by a tour of the UK, followed by extensive dates in the EU. Says Frenchy Gloder who signed the band to the label: ’I am really excited by the prospect of working with Slydigs. I believe they are unique and have an impressively loyal fan-base. This is the band I have been waiting for for the last decade’. Watch this space for more news very soon. Don’t forget that LASTWIND new album ‘Return Of A Sonic Assassin’ (SHARPCD12055) is now out. Buy 2 copies: one for you and one for your best mate. We will thank you for it. All releases available through Amazon, HMV, iTunes, Rough Trade, etc . Look for special offers to come soon on Amazon and HMV.com.
Reply
Lastwind Video
Another LASTWIND video to watch, WINDS OF TIME, a second track off the new album. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1C-8w3aXOq0&feature=g-upl
LASTWIND www.youtube.com
Reply
Hawklords New Studio Album!
The first Hawklords studio album for 34 years is progressing brilliantly; there are already several future classics in the can and our new drummer Dave Pierce (of The Bevis Frond) will be laying down the drums tracks on the first and second of May in a London studio. Adrian Shaw and Jerry Richards are handling the production and Ron Tree is producing much of the album artwork.
Nik Turner and and Alan Davey are concentrating on their own projects, but are likely to guest on various live dates.
The Hawklords are pleased to announce that this landmark album, which features all brand new material, will be released in time for the European and UK Tour 2012. A deal is close to being finalised with an indie label.
The band will be touring Europe in September and The UK in October. Check http://www.Reverbnation.com/hawklords for details as and when they are confirmed.
You can 'like' The Hawklords at http://www.facebook.com/The Hawklords
Band merchandise is available from Dave Roberts through hawklords@hotmail.co.uk (also the PayPal account) and via this site: www.hawklords-official.soundawesome.com
Reply
Lessons In Logic
Gunslinger's firing new single 'Lessons In Logic' is now out and available from http://www.amazon.co.uk and http://www.hmv.com
Buy it online now!
Reply
GUNSLINGER NEW SINGLE
Gunslinger new single 'Lessons in Logic' (FLSCD12054) will be released on 2nd April 2012, two days after they headline the British Steel Festival VI. The CD comes with an insert and 2 bonus tracks and a fantastic on-body CD artwork. Hurry and order your copy because it is a limited edition!
Reply
Hawklords, Friends And Relations' Review in Metalville
HAWKLORDS Hawklords, Friends And Relations - 30th Anniversary Volume - A New Dawn (Flicknife Records - 2011)
Well, we know where members of this band come from but we'll not go there and keep it to who they are now:' Hawklords '. This is a great 11 tracker from peeps of that outfit from the then and the now and the old and the new. There are numerous incarnations of bands on here as you'd expect with standouts being the opener 'Digital Age' by Earthlab (guitarist Jerry Richards) that was played by the Hawklords on their UK tour in October and that has a trademark Hawk riff in it; the spacey and later funky 'Felice' from Underground Zero; 'The Naked And Transparent Man' by Bob Calvert, a sinister poem with music by Alan Davey. Then there's the excellent floaty ambient instrumental that goes by the title of 'Stream' from Harvey Bainbridge; the outstanding Bedouin that feature Alan Davey and Danny Thompson who have their 'Vision Quest' on here - pure brilliance - not to mention Alan's 'Angel Down' - an epic piece of 8 minutes of love to the ears that's pure 'Hall Of The Mountain Grill'. As always - an out-there musical experience from members of the Hawklords and associated peeps. 7/10
Glenn Milligan for Metalliville ( www.Metalliville.com )
Reply
Gunslinger Reviews
"Next, of course, was Gunslinger, and from the first strike of a chord to the last, they were tight as f**k!......They are on again tonight at Legends in Newcastle, and if I did not have other plans, would go along to that gig too.""Could not agree with Pete more, Gunslinger were ABSOLUTELY awesome and if there is a better Bass player around I have never seen or heard them....." Read more at Big Ginger Gits Gig Pit Forum (members only).
"UNLAWFUL ODDS" REVIEWS "...it captures the band at it's best...well impressed...live albums are notoriously difficult to pull off, but this one doesn't just work...it's totally mind-blowing...definitely up there with "Rory Gallagher Live in Europe" and "Frampton Comes Alive"...although that's just my own personal preference...I urge everyone to buy it and see for yourself." Kog Moorcroft
"Gunslinger’s CD is here: It is even better than I expected.That drumming!!" Patrick Lawlor
"This is a mindblowingly powerful album that deserves to be played LOUD. The sound is crystal clear and you can hear every instrument. Flicknife Records have done a great job with this release. Buy it now!!!!" Dave Roberts
"Slick, Blow your head off, Gunmetal!! The best I've heard Gunslinger sound." A.McEwen
"I thought the Gunslinger studio album,'Earthquake In E Minor' was a really good album, but this live one,'Unlawful Odds', is even better." B. Tawn
"If you like Motorhead you'll love this - hard, loud, fast, dirty rock 'n roll with a BIG bass sound." I.Hickton
"Amazing Studio Quality Sounding Live Album." M.Powell (vinylmart),Oslo,Norway
"Get out and buy one coz you can bet your bottom dollar you'll want one." "Animal"
Reply
Hawklords Friends And Relations. Review.
Various Artists Hawklords, Friends And Relations, 30th Anniversary Volume: A New Dawn Flicknife
After an absence of 20 years, this legendary indie label continues its phoenix-like resurrection.
With two versions of the Hawks doing the rounds these days, this compilation concentrates on the latter day incarnation of Hawklords. With contributions from the likes of Earthlab, Underground Zero, Steve Swindells, Spirits Burning and Bedouin, short of great surprises. There's an early pre-hawkwind demo by Alan Davey's Gunslinger, a great live version of 'Robot' by Hawklords from 2008, 'Stream' is an atmospheric ambient soundscape from Harvey Bainbridge and, 'The Naked And Transparent Man' is a previously unreleased poem by the late, great Bob Calvert. Alan Davey's eight-minute space rock epic, 'Angel Down' is a fitting climax to this 'Friends And Relations in nearly 30 years - probably one of the best volumes too.
Rich Deakin
Reply