Articles by Joe Banks | Louder

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

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.

Robert Calvert

Robert Calvert - The Last Starfighter review

By Joe Banks published 9 April 21

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 23 March 21

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

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 last updated 3 February 21

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

Paul Webb

Paul Webb discusses Talk Talk, Rustin Man and more

By Joe Banks published 16 January 21

"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 15 October 20

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 22 May 20

Knifeworld leader tilts at the unknown on psychedelic solo debut

Jane Weaver - Loops In The Secret Society album review

By Joe Banks published 21 June 19

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 10 May 19

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 26 April 19

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 1 March 18

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 27 February 18

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 25 January 18

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 25 January 18

Stripped down mini-album from Airbag guitarist.

Poppy Ackroyd

Poppy Ackroyd – Resolve album review

By Joe Banks published 22 January 18

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 24 December 17

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 20 December 17

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 18 December 17

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 15 November 17

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

Sinaii - Sykli album artwork

Siinai - Sykli album review

By Joe Banks published 15 November 17

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 6 October 17

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 6 October 17

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 6 October 17

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 6 October 17

A musical journey into the glory days of public transport

Bark Psychosis - Hex album artwork

Bark Psychosis - Hex album review

By Joe Banks published 7 September 17

Double 45rpm vinyl reissue for post-rock classic and nu prog landmark