chap4

At long last it arrived, "it" being a dank, overcast Sunday afternoon in November. Accompanied by my co-pilot Barry, we programmed the computers, powered up the motors and set course for another date with destiny. Well that's the romantic vision, in reality it was once again down to my trusty Morris marina to ably transport us in a vaguely north easterly direction towards the Bedfordshire town of Dunstable and with it another chance to see the hawks!

If you can remember back to chapter 2 of this epic, you'll be aware of the band's "classy transport" that they employed at the time ( if you haven't read chapter 2, why not?, but anyway it was a couple of Vauxhall Astra estates!). Anyway as we approached Dunstable we passed a 2 or 3 star motel type establishment that looked in need of serious refurbishment sooner rather than later. Being the sad tosser's that we were ( remember "plane spotters" is another hobby we could both put down on an application form under the "interests" section!) we, (or if I'm honest "I") noticed a pair of sierra estates parked outside said motel. As we drove past by, I passed comment, something along the lines of "ere, Bazza, I bet that's their motors over there". Now I'm sure that any sane person would have replied at this point something along the lines of "for f***s sake Dave, no wonder your single, you sad loser, get a life". Instead his answer was "reckon you could be right there Dave". As it transpired "right" we most certainly were, a couple of miles further down the road we found the venue, a majestic piece of 60's architecture known to all and sundry as the "Queensway Hall" (famous in hawkwind circles as this is where the footage for silver machine on top of the pops was filmed)We had little problem finding a space in the ample car park, which was hardly supprising seeing as it was only about 4 o'clock (well we were excited). We cased the joint and then adjourned to the local burger bar over the road for some sustenance, and it was while devouring our non vegetarian option that what and who should drive past us? You've guessed it, it was those sierras with our heroes seated inside. The moral of this story is, yes i may be a sad tosser, but a clever one all the same!

If we took our time, then the hearty feast of burger and chips would have passed at most another ¾ hour, which in turn would mean that we still had at least another 2 ½ hours before the show was due to start. Rather than bore you with a minute by minute account of how we did pass the time, I'd instead like to talk for a moment on something we started to notice the more we went to see the band. This was the strange phenomenon of the amazing appearing act of hawkwind's audience approximately 5 minutes before the band hit the stage. How we saw it was that the support band whoever they might be would basically play to me, Barry and a man with his dog who is more usually found on the touchline at park football matches. Actually I will admit to having used some artistic license here, as most of you will be aware that animals are not permitted into rock gigs, especially hawkwind, imagine what all those high pitched sound effects that the band employ would do to a dogs acute hearing. With our canine friend out of the way we are now left with myself, Barry and the man minus his dog. "Sparsely attended" would be a more concise way to describe the venue at this point. As time progressed the bar area would start to fill up, in a direct relation to the local hostelries emptying out. The status quo would remain like this until roughly five minutes before the band were due to take the stage, when almost like magic the hall would fill to bursting point. I'd be interested to know if other people had similar experiences and memories.

Anyway back to Dunstable, and the hours and minutes were indeed ticking away, and so I guess now is as good a time as any to mention that most favorite of

subjects, the support band. On this tour the thankless task, I mean honor of opening for the hawks had gone to "Wildfire". I don't think I really have to add anymore as the name pretty much says it all, suffice to say, as with all hawkwind support bands from that era they were your typically bland rock\metal band.

Thankfully the "fire" came and went, and at long last we were on final countdown to the bands arrival. With the obligatory ½ hour changeover complete the band took the stage. Kicking off with "Angels of Death" the band were quickly locked into a groove. Being a somewhat low key tour, the stage show was basic even by hawkwind standards, this however was not a problem, as for the first time since I had started to see the band, the main prop was a full blow projection show, which was shown on a large white screen that had been placed behind the band. Now is probably a good a time as any to mention an amusing little anecdote that was related to me by my friend Russell ( who you'll remember from the first chapter ). hopefully you will recall that he used to work at the Southend kursaal venue where hawkwind often played in the 70's. He had told me what a palaver it was to construct said screen. This involved building a large metal framework on the floor of the hall, which in turn was covered in the appropriate material, once this was completed, the construction would be lifted into an upright position only to be then lent up against the venue's back wall.

Dave and Alan "giving it large" at the Dunstable gig, picture courtesy of Oz Hardwick

Anyway back to the gig and with no new material to promote apart from the just released "do not panic" (another live album), the band had free reign to play whatever took their fancy, and that's exactly what they did. After getting things under way with the rocking "Angels of Death" they careered onwards apparently playing such classics as "Death Trap", Orgone Accumulator" and "Steppenwolf". I say apparently, as I had to obtain some gig lists (thanks starfarer) to refresh my mind and have to say in all honesty that as far as these particular tracks go "I'm f***ed if i can remember them playing those specific numbers", but then again the brain can play tricks on you over a long period f time, we are talking nearly 20 years ago!. It's also worth noting at this point in the proceedings that this tour was Alan Davey's first proper outing on UK soil. Prior to this his only appearances with the band was the Stonehenge Festival and a couple of dates in Holland in the August of that year. Our first impressions of him was, that although he still looked a bit uncomfortable playing with his heroes rather than watching them, he definitely added something to the overall sound scape. With the greatest respect to Harvey Bainbridge, whom Alan had replaced (Harvey in due course moved to synths), I think most people would agree that both men had now found their respective "niches" in life. If you add to this the fact that even today the pair of them are regularly reunited when Mr. Bainbridge guests with Bedouin, then I don't think I am speaking out of turn. Another thing that was patently obvious for all to see was the influence that Nik Turner now had on the band, not only with the song selection (the nights proceedings were brought to a close with a very "punky" "watching the grass grow", an old ICU track!), but he was now very much the front man and main focal point of the group. Few would argue that if nothing else Nik always gets a reaction, not all of it positive, but I for one felt that his inclusion in the line up did have some benefits. I felt more than anything it took the pressure right off Dave, who I've always got the impression is far happier "just getting on with business" than having the added job of band leader (on stage at least). With this arrangement it allowed him far more freedom and he seemed equally happy playing his synths or strapping on his guitar (the one with the "warrior" custom paint job) and really rocking out. On more than one occasion on this tour i caught him throwing a few "guitar hero" shapes as well as a few synchronized moves with Alan Davey, very Status Quo. The overall vibe was one of a band that was just out there enjoying themselves doing what they do best. An added pleasure was the full blown projection show, which to me gave the gig a far more "retro" feel to it, as this was the kind of lightshow that hawkwind were associated with in the 70's.

I would guess that the band played their customary 1 ¾ - 2 hour set (including encores), but like any good gig this seemed to pass in a matter of minutes and as sure as eggs are eggs, the house lights were soon coming up and people immediately began to disperse. Regardless of what my opinions are of any given show, I always find that those first few moments after a band has left the stage, as a time to come back down to reality and to collect your thoughts. As well as that you can also avoid the crush at the exits as the masses depart. I also find this time fascinating, as it seems regardless of whether or not a band has employed dry ice or pyrotechnics in their show, there always seems to be a mist hanging in the air. Thinking about it, I guess in hawkwind's case this could be put down to the vast amounts of "smoking" that the audience were involved in. being a bit innocent at that time(!) it always seemed strange to me that hawkwind had a far higher percentage of smokers as fans, than the other bands that we used to go and see!. This point in the evening would also signal the arrival of the "worker ants" on stage, otherwise known as the roadies, who seemed to scurry on as soon as the last band member had departed and immediately began to "break down" the equipment, probably before messrs Brock, Turner, Lloyd Langton etc. had made it back to the dressing room. I'm sure the crew worked on the theory that the sooner the job could get done, the quicker they could crack open the first beer, get their heads down or partake in any of the other less savory activities that these fine body of men are "alleged" to get up to.

Dave's signed copy of "do not panic"

Anyhow, before i digress too much, back to the gig in question. We soon found ourselves wandering out into the cold night air. Having both had the common sense to book the following day off work and with our newly purchased copies of "this is hawkwind, do not panic" strategically stowed onboard the marina, there was only one logical course of action – to wait around and get them signed. The hawks were not the kind of band to make a hasty departure from the venue, so we knew we were in for a bit of a wait. Initially we sat in the car, which was now parked conveniently behind the hall and so gave us a good view of the stage door area. Every so often those who had also decided to wait behind would get suddenly excited as they thought someone was about to leave, this would be quickly followed by the disappointment when this was to be proved wrong. After a while we could contain ourselves no longer and so strolled over to join the waiting throng, which numbered 20 – 25 and it was at this point in the proceedings that a couple of amusing anecdotes took place.

For any of you who can remember the venue, try to cast your minds back. The stage door was a double glass type that led into a lobby area, so we as waiting fans could see in. You would often view the band, crew and other hangers on milling around. At this moment in time it was the mighty Wildfire who were holding court, as they waited to depart. Our old mate uncle Nik was obviously unaware of their proximity as he opened an internal door, only to smack the lead singer in the face with it. Whilst it was clear for all to see that it was an accident, apologies were made and accepted, it was probably also fair to say that this was exactly what most of the audience would liked to have done considering the blandness of the band.

After this minor "foo pah" it was indeed not long before the hawks began to make their way out of the building, which in turn signaled that it was time for us to get the album's signed. Now considering that these events took place nearly 20 years ago, you'll have to excuse the fact that I can't remember the exact details but I know that Harvey was definitely involved. As each member of the band appeared we dutifully held out the record to get it autographed. I'm sure most of you will remember the impressive gatefold sleeve that came with it ( which went some way to making up for the frankly "bland" pink outer cover ). when it came to Mr. Bainbridge, he took one of our copies and muttered something along the lines of – "so this is the new album" as he perused the cover before asking – "so what's it like then?, any good". I know it had only been released on Friday, but even so we were still taken aback by the fact that we were the first people to present the band with a copy, and also that they had patently neither seen or heard the finished article. Still, saying that it did make us feel a bit special!

So there you are, another chapter done and dusted. At the outset i had intended to cover the exploits of the whole mini tour in one such piece, but as seems to be the norm now, I've written far to much. At this rate by the time i finish this "epic", it'll be giving war and peace a run for it's money, at least in length, if not it's literary value