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

The Bob Lazar Story - Baritonia album artwork

The Bob Lazar Story - Baritonia album review

By Joe Banks published 24 May 17

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Whirlwind tour of prog history from New Zealand-based duo

Harvestman - Music For Megaliths album artwork

Harvestman - Music For Megaliths album review

By Joe Banks published 22 May 17

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Pagan drone from Neurosis man channels ancient powers

Dave Brock discusses Hawkwind's new lease of life

By Joe Banks published 24 April 17

Hot on the heels of last year’s Prog Award-nominated The Machine Stops comes a new album from Hawkwind that explores the darker side of nature. We talk to the captain of the ship Dave Brock

Jane Weaver - Modern Kosmology album artwork

Jane Weaver - Modern Kosmology album review

By Joe Banks published 16 April 17

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Neo-Kraut space siren returns with most focused and beguiling release yet

Cakewalk - Ishihara album review

By Joe Banks published 13 April 17

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Stormy third album from elemental Norwegian improv trio

Graeme Miller & Steve Shil - The Moomins album artwork

Graeme Miller & Steve Shill - The Moomins album review

By Joe Banks published 13 March 17

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Electro-exotic soundtrack to fuzzy felt animation finally gets a real release.

Here Lies Man - Here Lies Man album artwork

Here Lies Man - Here Lies Man album review

By Joe Banks published 13 March 17

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Heavy Afro-psychedelic debut explores the rhythmic possibilities of the riff.

Bob Stanley & Pete Wiggs Present English Weather album artwork

Bob Stanley & Pete Wiggs Present English Weather album review

By Joe Banks published 16 February 17

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Autumnal prog collection captures the melancholy mood of the early 70s.

Cover art for Once & Future Band Once & Future Band

Once & Future Band - Once & Future Band album review

By Joe Banks published 6 February 17

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Flamboyant soft prog lives on the Cali wizards’ opulently arranged debut album

Magic Mushroom Band Pictures In My Mind: Anthology 1984-1994 cover art

Magic Mushroom Band - Pictures In My Mind: Anthology 1984-1994 album review

By Joe Banks published 26 November 16

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Free festival stalwarts get a proper retrospective

Shaman Elephant - Crystals album review

By Joe Banks published 23 November 16

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Promising debut from heavy psych prog Norwegians

Jethro Tull - Stand Up (The Elevated Edition) album review

By Joe Banks published 28 October 16

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Will the classic Jethro Tull line-up please Stand Up...

Hawkwind - The Charisma Years 1976-1979 album cover

Hawkwind - The Charisma Years 1976-1979 album review

By Joe Banks published 26 September 16

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A leap from deep space to other astounding sounds from Hawkwind

Gong on life after Daevid Allen

By Joe Banks published 26 September 16

The idiosyncratic vision of Daevid Allen defined Gong for almost half a century. Now a whole new group are continuing as Gong with Allen’s blessing – and some pretty weighty expectations…

Ben Chatwin poses next to the inside of a piano

Ben Chatwin swaps dystopian fiction for post-rock on his latest album

By Joe Banks published 18 August 16

Composer blending old instruments with modern production on a journey of sound

Peter Baumann among his keyboards and amps

After 33 years Peter Baumann is back to expand the frontier of electronic music

By Joe Banks published 17 July 16

Tangerine Dream expanded the frontiers of electronic music back in the 70s - now Peter Baumann is at it again with new album Machines Of Desire

Are Knifeworld About To Go More Commercial?

By Joe Banks published 1 April 16

With Knifeworld about to drop their third album, we join Kavus Torabi and the rest of the purveyors of beautiful psychedelic rock for a chat about protest songs and playing live.

Limelight: Baron Talk Surreal Lyrics And Recording In Old Barns

By Joe Banks published 24 February 16

Brit proggers who secretly recorded their atmospheric new album in a medieval hall.