Dave Pearce, from the Hawklords, talks about their new album and explains what space-rock is.
HOW LONG HAVE YOU WORKED ON YOUR FIFTH ALBUM, FUSION?
Harvey and Jerry began writing the new album in February this year and we finished the sessions in June.
WHAT IS THE MUSIC GENRE SPACE-ROCK?
Space-rock is a broad church of musical and lyrical constructs which embodies science-fiction themes presented in a rock band format.
WHY HAVE THE MEMBERS CHANGED SINCE THE ORIGINAL 1978 LINE-UP?
The original architect of the Hawklords band was Robert Calvert who sadly died in 1988. Dave Brock and Harvey Bainbridge resumed their musical odyssey under the Hawkwind banner after the original 1978 line-up was disbanded. Harvey continued to write and tour with Hawkwind until 1991. Harvey rejoined a rejuvenated Hawklords in 2007, along with original Hawklords member Steve Swindells. Since 2007, other notable former members of Hawkwind have come and gone leaving the current line-up of Ron, Jerry, Harvey, Dave and Tom.
WHO IS YOUR FAVOURITE MUSICIAN?
Within the rock genre our collective influences include Jimi Hendrix, Jack Bruce, Gong, Kevin Ayers, Led Zeppelin and The Sex Pistols.
WHAT INSPIRES YOUR MUSIC?
Life, the universe and everything.
TALK ME THROUGH YOUR CREATIVE PROCESS WHEN WRITING AN ALBUM?
To date our approach is a collective one. The initial ideas have often been generated by one or two band members. These are then developed by the rest of the band through extemporisation, then fine tuned to create what you hear on our album.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE SONG ON THE ALBUM?
Harvey and Jerry list Step Off The Edge, Tom and I like Circus Freaks whilst Ron cites What’s Next.
WHAT DO YOU WANT YOUR AUDIENCES TO FEEL WHILE AT YOUR GIGS?
Welcome, involved, elevated and enlightened.
HOW OFTEN DO YOU TOUR?
We tour Europe and the UK every year with a new album. We also play as many festivals and events as we can manage.
DO YOU PLAN ON CONTINUING TOURING AND DOING MORE ALBUMS?
The Hawklords will continue to record and perform all the time there is an appetite and demand from our loyal fan base.
WHAT IS FAVOURITE PLACE TO GO ON TOUR?
Jerry particularly enjoys playing in the UK because it is our home. Visiting and playing in Scotland is always a pleasure because the Scottish music fans are very welcoming and know how to party.
HAVE YOU BEEN TO ABERDEEN BEFORE?
We have played the Granite City many times.
DO SCOTTISH AUDIENCES REACT WELL TO YOUR MUSIC?
Yes, they love it.
Hawklords is made up of Harvey Bainbridge, Jerry Richards, Dave Pearce, Ron Tree and Tom Ashurst. They are on their UK tour for their fifth album and will be in Aberdeen on October 28 at Krakatoa. See www.ents24.com/uk/tour-dates/hawklords-1