Articles by 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

“A fine overview of the label’s underground credentials… unclassifiable obscurities abound”: History of Deram (and Decca) celebrated in Psych! British Prog, Rock, Folk & Blues box set

By Joe Banks published 13 August 24

A sprawling 3CD / 2LP retrospective of Britain’s first “groovy” record label

“A mix of heatstroke and cannabis led to a month of terror and confusion… Writing about it probably helped but I never touched drugs again”: The Groundhogs’ prog credentials

By Joe Banks published 2 July 24

They might have lived on the periphery of the genre, but their 70s cross-fertilisation with the blues left us with stunning examples of left-field creativity

Jethro Tull - Bursting Out – The Inflated Edition

“Crystal-clear stereo separation, a much fuller and warmer sound… Steven Wilson’s remaster is a huge improvement”: Jethro Tull’s Bursting Out – The Inflated Edition

By Joe Banks published 25 June 24

Bookset series turns to the band’s first live release, which showcases Ian Anderson as zany ringmaster

“Some terrific playing; moody soundscapes and drama… but a regrettable lyrical default”: Warhorse’s The Recordings 1970-72

By Joe Banks published 30 April 24

2CD set from group with Rick Wakeman and Deep Purple connections, who hovered promisingly at the junction of pysch rock and prog

“What’s clear is the decision to pursue a direction that’s both harder and more experimental – electronics, looping and some fierce guitar”: Jethro Tull’s The Château D’Hérouville Sessions vinyl edition

By Joe Banks published 18 March 24

‘Lost’ album from the studio they nicknamed ‘Château D’Isaster’ is a chance to hear A Passion Play material in embryonic form

“Tony Hill’s experiments in six-string overload go to places even Hendrix feared to tread… Simon House’s sonic attack is equal to anything he did with Hawkwind”: High Tide’s Sea Shanties reissue

By Joe Banks published 28 February 24

Remastered vinyl edition retains the apocalyptic heavy psych and proto-prog first delivered in 1969

“Great fun… lovingly dashed off in a few hours, in homage to the way library musicians had to work”: Matt Berry’s Simplicity

By Joe Banks published 30 November 23

Actor and musician captures the feeling of the specialist genre with a collection of almost entirely self-performed tracks

“Not just an amorphous stream of swirly pothead trance rock… In fact, this album feels more focused than its predecessor:” Gong’s Unending Ascending

By Joe Banks published 4 November 23

With the late Daevid Allen’s blessing, Kavus Torabi continues the 54-year-old band’s mission to music’s outer reaches

Hawkwind - Space Ritual 40th anniversary

“Hearing each concert side by side demonstrates just how well rehearsed the presentation was, while allowing for individual improvisation”: Hawkwind’s Space Ritual 50th Anniversary Box Set

By Joe Banks published 29 September 23

Complete with the previously unreleased third concert recording, 11-disc collection goes beyond the wildest dreams of even the most avid Hawkfan

"An album for a world where reality is being reconfigured": North Atlantic Oscillation's United Wire reviewed

By Joe Banks published 24 August 23

Electro post-proggers deliver seamless immersion on fifth album

“People come up to us after gigs and say our music terrified them." The saga of Hawkwind's Space Ritual

By Joe Banks published 12 May 23

After blasting out of the underground via the acid-laced rocket fuel of Silver Machine, Hawkwind created a spectacular multimedia live show unlike anything seen or heard before: the Space Ritual

Five times prog music brilliantly embraced Christmas

By Joe Banks published 22 December 22

From Jethro Tull's typically oddball Top Of The Pops performance to Kate Bush in red pyjamas, prog isn't immune to getting as festive as the rest of us

This video of King Crimson playing Elephant Talk in Tokyo in 1984 proves that when they fancied it, they were one of prog rock's funnest bands

By Joe Banks published 21 November 22

As Bill Bruford notes in his comment on the video, "contrary to some in the commentariat, it wasn't all doom and gloom in King Crimson"

Jethro Tull and Lemmy perform on French TV show Forum Musiques

Watch Jethro Tull, Soft Machine and Lemmy in wild French TV London special from 1969

By Joe Banks published 8 November 22

This rediscovered documentary on London's music scene features some formidable performances

Roger Waters and David Gilmour in the studio recording The Dark Side of the Moon

The Dark Side Of The Moan: watch Pink Floyd work – and argue a bit – in this amazing archive studio footage

By Joe Banks published 11 October 22

Experience Pink Floyd's creative tension during the recording of their perennial 1973 classic

How Hawkwind went In Search Of Space

By Joe Banks last updated 9 October 22

The story of Hawkwind's second album, 1971's In Search Of Space

Watch Kate Bush dance in front of a giant lizard on 80s German TV in one of her most delightfully strange moments ever

By Joe Banks published 30 September 22

There was method to this madness, but it doesn't make it any less of a fascinating spectacle

Remembering the time Jethro Tull were allowed on kids TV and scared the hell out of everyone with a truly bizarre performance

By Joe Banks published 29 September 22

It started innocently enough. Then things got weird. Really weird.

Hawkwind legend Robert Calvert is being given a special commemoration in his original hometown

By Joe Banks last updated 29 September 22

Calvert's tribute is being placed at the brutalist tower block identified as the “birthplace of space rock”

Watch this delightful early interview of a pre-superstardom Yes appearing on early 70s BBC TV

By Joe Banks published 20 September 22

From Jon Anderson's endearing shyness to Rick Wakeman's typical hilarity, this is a rare look at Yes before they conquered the US

Watch some super-rare colour footage of Genesis, Hawkwind and David Bowie from the legendary 1970 Atomic Sunrise shows

By Joe Banks last updated 21 August 22

These amazing previews promise great things for the long-anticipated film made during the week-long event

Pineapple Thief: Nothing But The Truth cover art

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

By Joe Banks published 22 October 21

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 13 August 21

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.