Customer Reviews

Hawkwind: Sonic Assassins

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This review may be a little biased! You see, I have been a huge fan of Hawkwind since I first heard the strident notes of the album In Search of Space in 1971. Now, after having released some 40 "official" albums and numerous compilations, you would think these Elder Statesmen of Rock would be accorded the fame and fortune befitting their role as innovators and creators of some of the most eclectic electronic music ever to come from Britain. Not so! Their fate appeared to be to appear as a footnote in musical history until recently.

With the appearance of the live Out of the Shadows DVD and this entertaining book from Ian Abrahams, they are starting to get the recognition they so thoroughly deserve.

The book centres on Dave Brock. Hawkwind is, has been, and always will be, his band. It starts off with some background on Dave and the other early members of the band. The text really starts getting detailed when you get to the late 1960's when everything was gelling for the formation of Hawkwind (or Group X as they were called for a handful of gigs). The book proceeds along in good depth all the way to this millenium and is well illustrated with a lot of captioned photographs (black and white unfortunately - to keep costs down I think).

Ian Abrahams interviewed every member and ex-member he could contact and faithfully reproduces their recollections and reminiscences, ensuring every side of any tumultuous happenings in the band's 30 year history is reported in full. He also interviewed fans, management, record executives, in fact, anyone who ever had contact with the band in any context. Some of the more notable luminaries include (famed fantasy author) Michael Moorcock who did a lot of work with the band in their early days.

This book is also fully-indexed, something a lot of books on rock music or bands seldom are. This makes looking up any particular member of the band or album very easy. There is also a complete album listing with notations on the major songs on each. Also present is a listing of websites that you can go to for more information.

All in all, this 288 page hardcover book is well worth the published price of under $50. I would recommend it to everyone, not necessarily just to Hawkwind fans.