EXCLUSIVE - BROCK ANNOUNCES NEW LINE - UP

Let it not be said that the Hawkwind museum is not first to bring you the big stories when they matter and I'm sure few will agree that there can be any bigger story than this one and you heard it here first - Dave Brock has laid off the rest of the band, yes that's right, they've not been sacked simply made redundant, but in yet another sensational twist we've discovered that this does not spell the end of the band, in fact if that's what you feared you couldn't be further from the truth.

From what the museum understands the decision was taken by Dave to give the rest of the band their P45's in what he describes as a "Streamlining exercise with one eye on the long term future projection of the popularity of the musical genre known by most people as Space Rock and more specifically to ensure that Hawkwind remains at it's forefront in the currant economic climate which in the short to medium term looks unsettled!"

Apparently far from being what some may term "management speak", Mr Brock has carried out a detailed report to come to these conclusions that it's said by some source close to the band that it meant he had to miss last Tuesday's edition of "Bargain Hunt" to complete it. But I'm sure what you the fans really want to know is what are Dave's future plans for the band are, and with that in mind we phoned him this morning to get the inside scoop 

Initially he seemed reluctant to speak, firstly and somewhat surprisingly he appeared to question whether my parents were in fact married when I was born and then he seemed somewhat confused (must be his age I guess!) as he seemed to believe that I worked in the banking sector, well at least that's what it sounded like, it was a poor line. However after some coaxing, and the fact that I could indeed lend him my video of last Tuesday's Bargain Hunt he seemed to cheer up no end and before long he was soon explaining his future plans to me, he started by explaining that it wasn't just Hawkwind who were laying members off.

"Oh no, it's not just us, this whole genre of music has been in recession for some time now, like anything it goes in cycles, the early 90's were a bit lean hence having to trim down to a three piece for "It Is The..... and Electric Tepee, I'm one of the lucky ones!, I mean at least I've got people who I can get rid of, what about poor old Harvey Bainbridge and Tim Blake, they're both in trouble too, last I heard Harv had sent himself a P45 whilst Tim has apparently opened his Windmill up to the general public and does guided tours on the hour and half hour, I mean who'd want commoners traipsing through their gaff, those thieving b***ards will nick anything that 'ain't bolted down!"

"And at least I'm doing it humanely, Spacehead had to make cut backs, tell you what I'll e-mail over what they did to poor old Keith Barton" (good as his word the following picture was sent over to me - WARNING - It's not for the faint hearted!)

Yeah right Dave, good to see the whole "free and easy" and "live and let live" vibe is still alive in you at least!, But look what I and the rest of your fans want to know is what's the future hold in store for Hawkwind?

"Good question my dear boy!, the thing is I've long held the belief that we (or should that be I) need to appeal to a younger audience and that's exactly what I intend to do with my latest incarnation of the band"

We're getting excited now Dave, please tell us more

"Dummies"

I know I'm not a member of MENSA captain but surely there was no reason for that?

"No, I'm not implying that you're a dummy, although I have heard some rumours, no I intend to continue Hawkwind using Ventriloquist Dummies! it makes perfect sense! (if you say so Dave), I mean no more inflated ego's to deal with, pack the little fellas away in their cases and that's the last you hear of them till you next need them, mind you come to think of it Ali and Rich weren't to dissimilar, but this is the trump card - I can take out whatever line up I like on the road, fer Christ sake I can even resurrect Bob Calvert, well in Dummy form at least!. The thing is, in my experience, they're a pleasure to work with

"So you've worked with dummies before?"

"Oh yes plenty, but before I get sued for libel, I presume you mean the ventriloquist variety, well any self respecting Hawkfan will be aware of that album that myself and two of my former employees recorded under the name of the Psychedelic Warriors, study the cover and you'll see that the production credits for tracks 2 - 9 are a certain Mr Lord Charles, he also adds some sampler and OSCI whatever that is to the overall proceedings. I guess most of the fans out their assumed that was our attempt at some sort of feeble humour, in fact come to think of it not a million miles away from the crap jokes that litter the museum site!, anyway I digress, no Lord Charles was in fact the well known Ventriloquist dummy from the 70's, like us he'd got into the whole rave scene in the late 80's and so the partnership made perfect sense!

"But how will you play all the instruments Dave?"

"I won't be playing anything, I'll be too busy with me hand stuck up the Dummies back (phew... wondered what he was going to say then!), no Kris managed to pick up a nice ghetto blaster in our local Aldi supermarket last week for only £39.99, it's a nice piece of kit 4 watts per channel output, so it's got some oomph behind it"

"So lets get this straight you've made Richard and Alan redundant and have replaced them with some ventriloquist dummies that you are going to take out on the road as Hawkwind with you operating them whilst you play old albums through a £40.00 hi fi?"

"For the most part that's right but I will pick you up on the £40.00 hi fi, apparently they were selling it for £60.00 last year and Argos sell a comparable system for £80.00, I'm telling you it's not rubbish!"

"Well, whatever, so when and where do you intend to play, with your 'new band' "

"Ahh, glad you asked that, well in these days you have to have a gimmick or if you like a theme and I'm no different, it's my intention to take the new lads out on the road in the summer for a tour of the countries sea side resorts"

"So maybe we'll see you at places like Hastings Pier and also my home town of Southend on sea, there's a lovely little theatre called the palace which I reckon would be perfect?"

"Hastings, Southend, yep that's the kind of places I'm thinking but I'm going completely self sufficient, I'm taking my own stage out on the road, It'll be like a one man Loolapalloza, and when I say sea side that's literally what I mean, this is where I feel Hawkwinds new audience can be found in the summer and are at their most relaxed, by the sea"

"Sorry you've lost me"

"look, I'll send over some more pictures that'll explain everything!"

And sure enough in a matter of minutes and by the miracle that is e-mail, the following snaps dropped into my e-mail inbox, Dave was right when he said that it'd make it perfectly clear, if you can stand it, click on the link below to see not only exclusive pictures of the bands new line up but also shots of the new stage rig!

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