
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/.
Latest articles by Joe Banks

Watch some super-rare colour footage of Genesis, Hawkwind and David Bowie from the legendary 1970 Atomic Sunrise shows
By Joe Banks last updated
These amazing previews promise great things for the long-anticipated film made during the week-long event

The Pineapple Thief - Nothing But The Truth: "a must-own collection"
By Joe Banks published
Not yet ratedIntimate live set from Bruce Soord’s art rock quartet.

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 - The Last Starfighter review
By Joe Banks published
Not yet ratedRemix project celebrating ex-Hawkwind frontman produces mixed results.

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

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 - Carnivorous review
By Joe Banks published
Not yet ratedBrock and co come into their own with sprawling but topical dystopian rock.

Kavus Torabi - Hip To The Jag Review
By Joe Banks published
Not yet ratedKnifeworld leader tilts at the unknown on psychedelic solo debut

Jane Weaver - Loops In The Secret Society album review
By Joe Banks published
Not yet ratedJane Weaver takes us on a journey both back through time and into the future with this seamless collection

Gong: The Universe Also Collapses album review
By Joe Banks published
Not yet ratedGong: The Next Generation makes another great leap forward...

Van der Graaf Generator: The Aerosol Grey Machine album review
By Joe Banks published
Not yet ratedLavish 50th anniversary reissue for VdGG’s elusive debut album

Cavern Of Anti-matter - Hormone Lemonade album review
By Joe Banks published
Not yet ratedAlbum number three from the new Berlin school of electronic music

Them Moose Rush - Don’t Pick Your Noise album review
By Joe Banks published
Not yet ratedFireworks galore on second album from Croatian power trio

Atomic Rooster – Sleeping For Years – The Studio Recordings album review
By Joe Banks published
Not yet ratedNewly remastered box set of first five albums plus rarities from early prog stars.

Bjørn Riis – Coming Home album review
By Joe Banks published
Not yet ratedStripped down mini-album from Airbag guitarist.

Poppy Ackroyd – Resolve album review
By Joe Banks published
Not yet ratedSelf-produced third album from one-woman post-classical orchestra.

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 review
By Joe Banks published
Not yet ratedEssential viewing for Krautrock and electronic music fans alike

James Holden & The Animal Spirits - The Animal Spirits album review
By Joe Banks published
Not yet ratedRestless album of pagan trance electronica recorded live in a room

The Belbury Circle - Outward Journeys album review
By Joe Banks published
Not yet ratedSuperior 80s-style retro futurism from Ghost Box linchpins; John Foxx guests

Siinai - Sykli album review
By Joe Banks published
Not yet ratedMeditative, mesmeric Finnish post-rock has us in a spin

Gokcen Kaynatan - Gokçen Kaynatan album review
By Joe Banks published
Not yet ratedRetrospective celebration of the founding father of Turkish electronic music
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