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[KharBevNor]

I see the Masters of the Universe mentioned very, very infrequently, not only round here but pretty much everywhere. Surely I can't be the only person round here with a passion for these long-lived staples of semi-underground hard rock?

My first exposure to Hawkwind was when I bought the double-disc version of 'Space Metal' by Star One, which has a totally awesome Medley of Hawkwind songs at the start of the bonus disk, with Dave Brock (Hawkwinds vocalist and only remaining original member) on vocals. I immediately downloaded a couple of albums, and liked what I heard immensely, and have slowly started building up a collection of Hawkwind albums (though their discography is of the insane level expected of any rock band that's been around for more than twenty years: 36 official albums, goodness knows how many singles, endless compilations, many with hard to find live versions and bonus tracks: you know the score. I so far have one album (Doremi Fasol Latido) and an obscure best-of (Master of the Universe) in physical form)

Best tracks I would recommend to someone who hasn't heard'em are 'Brainstorm', 'Masters of the Universe', 'Silver Machine',  'Motorhead' (The song the band is named after, Lemmy used to play bass for them), 'Assault and Battery' and 'Spirit of the Age', which also covers most of my favourites, as well as the beautifully spacy instrumental 'Spiral Galaxy 28948'. Downloading these (or even getting them on albums or compilations) is crazy pot-luck though, as there are countless different live versions, re-recordings and remixes of each one floating around. They sound exactly what they say they are: Space Rock. Kinda like a cross between early Black Sabbath and early Pink Floyd (back when both kicked muchos butt) is a semi-accurate and wholly inadequate description.

As far as decent covers, I've not heard many, though I know there is at least one tribute album floating around, though the aforementioned 'Hawkwind Medley' by Star One is a great tribute, and I've got a pretty nice version of 'Utopia' by drugged up battle metal wierdos The Meads of Asphodel.

So...anyone else like 'em? Anyone got their interest piqued?

[KharBevNor]

So just me then?

[Mnementh]

I got into them after reading Michael Moorcocks multiverse.  I don't have any albums, just a collection of acquired songs.

so yeah.

[El Opium]

I've heard very little by them as their albums are pretty impossible to find in the US. My dad knows Nik Turner a bit though, he lives out in West Wales and travels in the same circles (old hippies). It was hilarious when I was over visiting for his marriage to my step-mom and there was this groups of old hippies there talking about dropping acid to Hawkwind records back in the 70s. I also have a brochure from their 'Astounding sounds, amazing music' tour that my dad gave me.

[KharBevNor]

Yes, they're definitely somewhat drug inspired. As a side note, I think by dint of this Star One's Hawkwind Medley is possibly the only song I've heard inspired by dope, speed and acid at the same time.

[daviesmatt]

I love Hawkwind.. my dad got me into them when I was around 7 years old by playing me Levitation on a trip to Cardiff. I pretty much forget about them, 'til i found the album in my dad's CD collection a year ago. Since then, I've accumulated around 4 studio albums, 2 live albums, and a couple of compilations.

Also, seeing Hawkwind live while very stoned and drunk is an awesome experience, as I found out last year. Like a baseball bat to the inside of your head. I'm pretty sure my mind would have melted was I on anything stronger.

[LightThievesAll]

I got into them after reading Michael Moorcocks multiverse.  I don't have any albums, just a collection of acquired songs.

so yeah.

Have you read "In the Time of the Hawklords" (I dunno if that is the exact title, but it's close)?  I was in a record store in California and the proprietor, a professional metalhead/roadie (this motherfucker roadied for Slayer, SLAYER!) and he told me I had to read it.  Apparently it's about Hawkwind using the power of rock to defeat alien invaders.  That sounds so fucking dope.

[Me And The Moon Car]

I have almost their entire discography on tape, and a bunch of bootlegs, too. Definitely one of the greatest British rock bands. Captain lockheed and the Starfighters was a side project of theirs, and worth checking out, too. I saw Hawkwind live last year. It was amazing. Huw Lloyd-Langton did the opening set solo, completely stoned out of his brain.

[Cpt.Fantastic]

I have Doremi Fasol Latido, In Search Of Space and erm... another on CD and most of the others on vinyl at my dad's. Fucking awesome band!