A Newsletter of sorts!
You'll probably be more than aware that some ideas associated with the museum have proved more popular than others! to date I've only ever produced one other of these and that was over a year ago so I think this one falls in the "not so popular". In truth I really haven't had the time, day to day site business takes up more than is really healthy so something has to give, however the reason for putting pen to paper is that their seems to be a sudden rush of things that need highlighting, concerning both the band and the site so this seemed to be the best way of putting it out.
First off, and it's with much pleasure and an equal amount of pride that I'm glad, no make that chuffed to announce that this morning marked the sites 25,000th visitor. Whilst this would still be considered "small fry" by the big site out there it really is something beyond my wildest dreams, at the end of the day it's nothing more than a hobby, a demanding one at that but to think that so many of you from all over the world are making regular visits really is quite a humbling experience - so keep it up and thanks one and all. On a similar note when I first started the site I intended selling T-shirts as both a way of promoting the site as well as raising a little revenue (I do pay for the pleasure of hosting it!), well the original White ones proved to be something of a dead loss, they looked fine until you washed them where they quickly deteriorated. However I've also experimented using black shirts and the associated paper and I'm pleased to report that these have been much more successful. I'd be interested to hear from any of you would be interested in one of these garments, hopefully over the next couple of weeks I'll get some pictures up of the type of thing that I'm talking about, I reckon we're looking at about £10.00 per shirt for the UK and say £12.00 for the rest of the world, if your interested, drop us a line by.
So, that's enough about me and the site, what else is happening in the world of Hawkwind, well I'm sure that most of you are aware that they are undertaking a short UK and Irish tour this coming April and May, if you haven't checked out the dates, take a look at Mission Control for full details, for those interested, I intend to make it to both the Brighton and Northampton shows so hopefully I might bump into some of you at those gigs, check out my mug shot by clicking here and then you will know who to avoid ;-) , what was particularly interesting though was a quote that is on the Northampton Roadmenders site in relation to the gig there, it reads as follows -
" Hawkwind will be trying out ideas on this spring tour for a major concept tour in December carrying on the themes of laboratories and cloning. This show will feature narration, mime artists, dancers and contortionists with an elaborate stage set, spectacular costumes, backdrops and lights. It will be their most theatrical tour since The Chronicles Of the Black Sword in 1985 and Alien 4 in 1995"
Don't know about you but it sounds dam good to me!
It's also been announced that the band have at long last finished their latest studio album and the tentative release title is "Take Me to Your Leader" and according to official sources it is being pressed at present, no release date as yet but hopefully we are not going to have to wait too much longer. Their is also due to be a single released, a re working of the Quark classic "Spirit Of The Age" with apparently some promotion on the radio to come as well as a video"
Talking of the radio a couple of quick point regarding this, firstly and it's with some personal sadness that my own personal fave "jocks" Mark and Lard are leaving Radio1(last show 26.03 between 13.00 - 15.00 UK time) next week and going their own ways, now apparently the first track that Mr Radcliffe played on Radio 1 was none other than "Master Of The Universe" so why not e-mail the show in this last week and request some Hawkwind (feel free to mention the museum at the same time!) and also on Good Friday (09.04 14.00 - 17.00 UK time) Matthew Wright is deputising for Steve Wright on his afternoon show, I'm sure he's love to hear from all you Hawkfans out their as a way of going to his bosses and demanding that he "must give the public, what the public want", anyway below are the links to e-mail either show.
Finally you may have noticed that the ad I was running on behalf of Ian Abrahams regarding his forthcoming book has been removed from the history and updates page, the reason for this is that the draft copy is now with the publishers and all being well we should be looking at a release date sometime during the summer, as more details become available I will, it goes without saying, update you with those!
So there you have it, I'm sure you'll agree that there seems to be plenty to look forward to for the avid Hawkfan over the next few months, remember that the only "Official" source for Hawkwind news is Mission Control so it's always best to check there for the latest information and any alterations.
All the best for now
Dave
P.S - One last thing, totally unconnected with Hawkwind but may I take this opportunity to wish my local football team Southend United good luck on Sunday when they make their first ever appearance in a major final when they play Blackpool for the LDV Vans Trophy at the Cardiff Millennium Stadium this Sunday (21.03) - COME ON YOU BLUES