Hawklords
Hawklords are an English space rock band formed in 1978 by core members of the then-inactive Hawkwind, including guitarist Dave Brock, vocalist Robert Calvert, and drummer Simon King, who recorded the album 25 Years On before disbanding after a year of activity.[1][2] The project significantly influenced Brock's decision to revive Hawkwind, and in the 2000s, Hawklords were re-established as an independent ensemble of former Hawkwind musicians initially performing covers but expanding to original material, maintaining a presence in the space rock scene with ongoing releases and tours.[2][3] Notable for bridging Hawkwind's psychedelic legacy with contemporary interpretations, the band has issued albums such as Faith in 2025, emphasizing themes of reality and artificial intelligence through evolving lineups that include experienced contributors like Jerry Richards.[4][5]Origins and Early History
Formation Amid Hawkwind Hiatus
In late 1977, Hawkwind entered a period of inactivity stemming from internal conflicts, financial difficulties, and a fallout with their management, which left the band unable to perform or record under its name.[6] During this hiatus, core members Dave Brock and Robert Calvert experimented with a new ensemble, performing a series of gigs over the Christmas period under the moniker Sonic Assassins, incorporating musicians from the local Devon group Ark.[6][7] This project, initiated as a side effort alongside Hawkwind's 1977 album Quark, Strangeness and Charm, marked the embryonic stage of what would become Hawklords.[7] By summer 1978, Brock restructured the collaboration into the formal band Hawklords, retaining Calvert as vocalist and conceptual driving force while enlisting bassist Harvey Bainbridge and drummer Martin Griffin from Ark to bolster the rhythm section.[7] Hawkwind drummer Simon King joined for early performances, providing continuity from the parent group.[8] The name change to Hawklords facilitated operations amid legal entanglements tied to Hawkwind's dormant status, allowing the musicians to tour and record independently.[6] This formation reflected a deliberate pivot toward a tighter, more punk-influenced sound, diverging from Hawkwind's sprawling space rock ethos while leveraging its personnel and fanbase.[7]Key Personnel and Initial Lineup
The Hawklords were initiated in the summer of 1978 by three key figures from the disbanded Hawkwind—guitarist, vocalist, and multi-instrumentalist Dave Brock, vocalist Robert Calvert, and drummer Simon King—amid Hawkwind's hiatus following internal disputes and lineup changes.[3] Brock and Calvert, primary songwriters for Hawkwind's recent works, sought to continue their collaborative vision of dystopian, mechanized rock themes without the original band's constraints.[7] To form a functional ensemble, they drew from local Devon musicians, incorporating bassist and vocalist Harvey Bainbridge and drummer Martin Griffin from the Sonic Assassins (previously known as Ark), along with keyboardist Paul Hayles recruited from a regional pub circuit act.[7][9] This initial configuration enabled early rehearsals and live outings under the Hawklords banner, emphasizing electronic and progressive elements akin to Hawkwind but with a tighter, more focused structure. Keyboardist Steve Swindells soon augmented or supplanted Hayles, providing synthesizer and Mellotron contributions that shaped the band's debut album 25 Years On, recorded in a single week at Wessex Studios in London during August 1978.[10][11] The lineup's dual drummers (King and Griffin) added rhythmic intensity to performances, supporting Calvert's conceptual stage shows like "Metropolis."[6]| Member | Role(s) | Background Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Dave Brock | Guitar, keyboards, synthesizers, vocals | Hawkwind founder and primary creative force; co-produced debut album.[3][11] |
| Robert Calvert | Lead vocals, occasional guitar | Former Hawkwind frontman; drove lyrical themes of automation and control.[3][7] |
| Simon King | Drums | Ex-Hawkwind drummer; provided core propulsion for live sets.[3][10] |
| Harvey Bainbridge | Bass guitar, backing vocals | From Sonic Assassins; anchored low-end with vocal harmonies.[7][10] |
| Martin Griffin | Drums, percussion | Sonic Assassins alum; supplemented King's rhythms for density.[7] |
| Paul Hayles | Keyboards, synthesizers | Local recruit; featured in early formation and some live material.[7][9] |
| Steve Swindells | Keyboards, synthesizers, Mellotron | Joined post-formation; credited on 25 Years On studio tracks.[10][11] |