Joe Banks

Joe Banks

Joe is a regular contributor to Prog. He also writes for Electronic Sound, The Quietus, and Shindig!, specialising in leftfield psych/prog/rock, retro futurism, and the underground sounds of the 1970s. His work has also appeared in The Guardian, MOJO, and Rock & Folk. Joe is the author of the acclaimed Hawkwind biographyDays Of The Underground (2020). He’s on Twitter and Facebook, and his website is https://www.daysoftheunderground.com/. 

Articles by: Joe Banks

Pineapple Thief: Nothing But The Truth cover art

The Pineapple Thief - Nothing But The Truth: "a must-own collection"

By Joe Banks published

Not yet rated

Intimate live set from Bruce Soord’s art rock quartet.

Robert Calvert onstage in the early 1970s

Robert Calvert: the genius who played with fire

By Joe Banks published

He was the maverick genius who conceived the Space Ritual and embodied Hawkwind’s progressive spirit in the 70s. But Robert Calvert played with fire for the sake of his art, as we discover in this edited extract from Hawkwind: Days Of The Underground.

Robert Calvert

Robert Calvert - The Last Starfighter review

By Joe Banks published

Not yet rated

Remix project celebrating ex-Hawkwind frontman produces mixed results.

Groundhogs

The Groundhogs: their path from blues to something far more progressive

By Joe Banks published

The Groundhogs started as a blues band but took a turn into rock’s left-field. They even recruited the drummer from Egg!

Paul Webb

Paul Webb discusses Talk Talk, Rustin Man and more

By Joe Banks published

"In The Court Of The Crimson King was a big reference point for Talk Talk” says bassist Paul Webb

Hawkwind Light Orchestra

Hawkwind Light Orchestra - Carnivorous review

By Joe Banks published

Not yet rated

Brock and co come into their own with sprawling but topical dystopian rock.

Kavus Torabi

Kavus Torabi - Hip To The Jag Review

By Joe Banks published

Not yet rated

Knifeworld leader tilts at the unknown on psychedelic solo debut

montage of prog books

12 of the best books about prog for you to read

By Grant Moon, Sid Smith, David West, Mike Barnes, Natasha Scharf, Rachel Mann, Joe Banks, Chris Roberts published

Want to catch up on some reading? Here are 12 of the best books about progressive music

Jane Weaver - Loops In The Secret Society album review

By Joe Banks published

Not yet rated

Jane Weaver takes us on a journey both back through time and into the future with this seamless collection

Gong

Gong: The Universe Also Collapses album review

By Joe Banks published

Not yet rated

Gong: The Next Generation makes another great leap forward...

Van der Graaf Generator

Van der Graaf Generator: The Aerosol Grey Machine album review

By Joe Banks published

Not yet rated

Lavish 50th anniversary reissue for VdGG’s elusive debut album

Cavern Of Anti-matter - Hormone Lemonade album artwork

Cavern Of Anti-matter - Hormone Lemonade album review

By Joe Banks published

Not yet rated

Album number three from the new Berlin school of electronic music

Them Moose Rush - Don’t Pick Your Noise album artwork

Them Moose Rush - Don’t Pick Your Noise album review

By Joe Banks published

Not yet rated

Fireworks galore on second album from Croatian power trio

atomic rooster

Atomic Rooster – Sleeping For Years – The Studio Recordings album review

By Joe Banks published

Not yet rated

Newly remastered box set of first five albums plus rarities from early prog stars.

bjorn riis

Bjørn Riis – Coming Home album review

By Joe Banks published

Not yet rated

Stripped down mini-album from Airbag guitarist.

Poppy Ackroyd

Poppy Ackroyd – Resolve album review

By Joe Banks published

Not yet rated

Self-produced third album from one-woman post-classical orchestra.

two portraits of nik turner

Nik Turner: "Acid created Hawkwind's reputation"

By Joe Banks published

Maverick saxophonist and flute player Nik Turner discusses his long and colourful career featuring numerous bands and collaborations

Tangerine Dream - Revolution Of Sound DVD artwork

Tangerine Dream - Revolution Of Sound DVD review

By Joe Banks published

Not yet rated

Essential viewing for Krautrock and electronic music fans alike

James Holden & The Animal Spirits - The Animal Spirits album artwork

James Holden & The Animal Spirits - The Animal Spirits album review

By Joe Banks published

Not yet rated

Restless album of pagan trance electronica recorded live in a room

The Belbury Circle - Outward Journeys album artwork

The Belbury Circle - Outward Journeys album review

By Joe Banks published

Not yet rated

Superior 80s-style retro futurism from Ghost Box linchpins; John Foxx guests

Sinaii - Sykli album artwork

Siinai - Sykli album review

By Joe Banks published

Not yet rated

Meditative, mesmeric Finnish post-rock has us in a spin

Gökçen Kaynatan - Gökçen Kaynatan album artwork

Gokcen Kaynatan - Gokçen Kaynatan album review

By Joe Banks published

Not yet rated

Retrospective celebration of the founding father of Turkish electronic music

Trojan Horse - Fukushima Surfer Boys album artwork

Trojan Horse - Fukushima Surfer Boys album review

By Joe Banks published

Not yet rated

Salford prog mavericks bring electronica to the party on third album

Oddfellow’s Casino - Oh, Sealand album artwork

Oddfellow’s Casino - Oh, Sealand album review

By Joe Banks published

Not yet rated

Pastoral psychedelist returns with tales of a nation rent asunder

Gilroy Mere -The Green Line album artwork

Gilroy Mere -The Green Line album review

By Joe Banks published

Not yet rated

A musical journey into the glory days of public transport