Joe Banks
@joebankswriter.bsky.social
'Hawkwind: Days Of The Underground' - a MOJO, Uncut, Prog & Shindig book of the year. Visit www.daysoftheunderground.com.
'Rock And Role: The Visionary Songs Of Peter Hammill + VdGG' out 04/12/25. Pre-order: https://kingmakerpublishing.com/rock-and-role/
'Rock And Role: The Visionary Songs Of Peter Hammill + VdGG' out 04/12/25. Pre-order: https://kingmakerpublishing.com/rock-and-role/
Pinned
Joe Banks
@joebankswriter.bsky.social
· Aug 27
Announcement! And cover reveal! Pre-orders for Rock and Role, my biography of Peter Hammill & Van der Graaf Generator, are now open. Over 500 pages and 400 images. Details here: kingmakerpublishing.com
Sad to hear that Andrew Lauder has died. Such an important figure in the British music industry. He signed/released many fantastic bands: Hawkwind, High Tide, Can, Amon Duul II, Dr Feelgood, Buzzcocks, Stranglers etc. And he gave me a great interview for Days Of The Underground.
November 26, 2025 at 5:32 PM
Sad to hear that Andrew Lauder has died. Such an important figure in the British music industry. He signed/released many fantastic bands: Hawkwind, High Tide, Can, Amon Duul II, Dr Feelgood, Buzzcocks, Stranglers etc. And he gave me a great interview for Days Of The Underground.
Want to take a closer look at Rock and Role: The Visionary Songs of Peter Hammill & VdGG? Here's Barry Robinson of Classic Album Review to take you through it... (Thanks Barry!) www.youtube.com/watch?v=f-UV...
Van Der Graaf Generator & Some Other Books I am Currently Enjoying!
YouTube video by Classic Album Review
www.youtube.com
November 26, 2025 at 12:48 PM
Want to take a closer look at Rock and Role: The Visionary Songs of Peter Hammill & VdGG? Here's Barry Robinson of Classic Album Review to take you through it... (Thanks Barry!) www.youtube.com/watch?v=f-UV...
There's quite a connection between these two albums, that you'll discover if you read my upcoming Peter Hammill book...
The best two break-up albums of all time?
@joebankswriter.bsky.social
@joebankswriter.bsky.social
November 25, 2025 at 6:01 PM
There's quite a connection between these two albums, that you'll discover if you read my upcoming Peter Hammill book...
OK, this is starting to get a bit spooky now - apparently the phones are still down between Athens and Crouch End, so my chat on Greece's Channel 1 will have to wait again for another day...
November 25, 2025 at 5:38 PM
OK, this is starting to get a bit spooky now - apparently the phones are still down between Athens and Crouch End, so my chat on Greece's Channel 1 will have to wait again for another day...
Delayed from a couple of weeks ago, I'm going to be talking about Peter Hammill and the book on Greece's Channel 1 radio in a short while: approx. 5.10pm UK / 7.10pm Greek time. You can listen live here: www.kanaliena.gr
www.e-tetradio.gr/Article/4482...
www.e-tetradio.gr/Article/4482...
Συνέντευξη Joe Banks (MOJO, Guardian) στο Κανάλι 1 90.4
Συντονιστείτε
www.e-tetradio.gr
November 25, 2025 at 3:30 PM
Delayed from a couple of weeks ago, I'm going to be talking about Peter Hammill and the book on Greece's Channel 1 radio in a short while: approx. 5.10pm UK / 7.10pm Greek time. You can listen live here: www.kanaliena.gr
www.e-tetradio.gr/Article/4482...
www.e-tetradio.gr/Article/4482...
I was at Burning Shed yesterday signing 400 pre-order copies of the book😉Thanks to everybody who got in early. It was amazing to finally get my hands on the physical result of all those months of researching and writing. I think it looks fantastic, and it weighs a blummin' ton (1.5kg to be precise)!
November 25, 2025 at 12:16 PM
I was at Burning Shed yesterday signing 400 pre-order copies of the book😉Thanks to everybody who got in early. It was amazing to finally get my hands on the physical result of all those months of researching and writing. I think it looks fantastic, and it weighs a blummin' ton (1.5kg to be precise)!
Thought you'd heard enough of me gassing on about Peter Hammill/VdGG? Think again! Tonight from around 9pm, hear me go Inside The Generator on Progzilla radio, a new weekly voyage through the VdGG back catalogue beginning tonight with The Aerosol Grey Machine... progzilla.com/listen/
Progzilla
Progzilla Radio - The Show That Never Ends.
progzilla.com
November 23, 2025 at 5:27 PM
Thought you'd heard enough of me gassing on about Peter Hammill/VdGG? Think again! Tonight from around 9pm, hear me go Inside The Generator on Progzilla radio, a new weekly voyage through the VdGG back catalogue beginning tonight with The Aerosol Grey Machine... progzilla.com/listen/
This was really interesting, Peter Hammill's show on WPKN radio last night, highlighting a lot of the lesser known stuff - at least lesser known by PH fans - he's been involved with. That version of 'Traintime' with the Lille National Orchestra is just tremendous. podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/p...
"PURE Presents Peter Hammill" - PURE with Howard Thompson - Apple Podcasts
Podcast Episode · PURE with Howard Thompson · 11/22/2025 · 2h 45m
podcasts.apple.com
November 22, 2025 at 6:47 PM
This was really interesting, Peter Hammill's show on WPKN radio last night, highlighting a lot of the lesser known stuff - at least lesser known by PH fans - he's been involved with. That version of 'Traintime' with the Lille National Orchestra is just tremendous. podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/p...
Reposted by Joe Banks
This is the poster for the 1966 screening of Alphaville and La Jetée at which JG Ballard first saw two films he would often mention as SF favourites. He reviewed La Jetée in New Worlds shortly after. John Brunner (at the same screening) reviewed Alphaville in the following issue. He hated it.
November 22, 2025 at 11:50 AM
This is the poster for the 1966 screening of Alphaville and La Jetée at which JG Ballard first saw two films he would often mention as SF favourites. He reviewed La Jetée in New Worlds shortly after. John Brunner (at the same screening) reviewed Alphaville in the following issue. He hated it.
Back on my slow tour of classic SF with Robert Sheckley's Dimension Of Miracles (1968). It's an absurdist, space-hopping romp about a man who accidentally wins a galactic lottery, with its talking, sentient prize just one of the plot's MacGuffins, as the book is more a series of comic episodes 1/3
November 21, 2025 at 3:34 PM
Back on my slow tour of classic SF with Robert Sheckley's Dimension Of Miracles (1968). It's an absurdist, space-hopping romp about a man who accidentally wins a galactic lottery, with its talking, sentient prize just one of the plot's MacGuffins, as the book is more a series of comic episodes 1/3
Ah, this is the new release of The Final Programme that Michael Moorcock has been interviewed for. Plus @pulpcurry.bsky.social commentary. Looks pretty comprehensive, though no 'unearthed half hour of Hawkwind' unfortunately... @breakfastruins.bsky.social
www.facebook.com/severinfilms...
www.facebook.com/severinfilms...
Severin Films
***SEVERIN BLACK FRIDAY 2025 TITLE REVEAL #8***
THE FINAL PROGRAMME
THE WORLDWIDE UHD PREMIERE
TWO DISC COLLECTION
WITH 6+ HOURS OF SPECIAL FEATURES INCLUDING THE FIRST-EVER HOME VIDEO...
www.facebook.com
November 19, 2025 at 9:40 PM
Ah, this is the new release of The Final Programme that Michael Moorcock has been interviewed for. Plus @pulpcurry.bsky.social commentary. Looks pretty comprehensive, though no 'unearthed half hour of Hawkwind' unfortunately... @breakfastruins.bsky.social
www.facebook.com/severinfilms...
www.facebook.com/severinfilms...
Peter Hammill: radio host. Yes, he's going to be hosting his own show this Friday (21 Nov) at 3pm EST / 8pm GMT on WKPN 89.5 (an independent radio station out of Bridgeport, USA). Press Play to Listen Live here wpkn.org on Friday to hear which tracks get the PH seal of approval...
WPKN 89.5 Community Radio - WPKN.ORG
WPKN is a 10,000-watt non-profit listener-supported community radio station; broadcasting at 89.5 FM and streaming online at WPKN.org
wpkn.org
November 19, 2025 at 4:39 PM
Peter Hammill: radio host. Yes, he's going to be hosting his own show this Friday (21 Nov) at 3pm EST / 8pm GMT on WKPN 89.5 (an independent radio station out of Bridgeport, USA). Press Play to Listen Live here wpkn.org on Friday to hear which tracks get the PH seal of approval...
Saw the 2008 German film The Wave last night @tpfilmclub.bsky.social, a school-set drama about the allure of fascism. While a little on-the-nose, it's a powerful, well-acted film which illustrates both the attractions and dangers of group-think. Relevant then... www.youtube.com/watch?v=N9vd...
THE WAVE - US Trailer (English) ** HD ** NEW
YouTube video by RatPackFilm
www.youtube.com
November 19, 2025 at 2:47 PM
Saw the 2008 German film The Wave last night @tpfilmclub.bsky.social, a school-set drama about the allure of fascism. While a little on-the-nose, it's a powerful, well-acted film which illustrates both the attractions and dangers of group-think. Relevant then... www.youtube.com/watch?v=N9vd...
You can now read the piece I did for Prog magazine on Hawkwind's 1974 album Hall Of The Mountain Grill online here: www.loudersound.com/music/albums...
But you might want to read the original, pre-edited version here 😉 www.daysoftheunderground.com/post/prog-in...
But you might want to read the original, pre-edited version here 😉 www.daysoftheunderground.com/post/prog-in...
Prog - In Search Of New Space
To tie in with the release of a nine-disc boxset reissue of Hall Of The Mountain Grill, Prog magazine asked me to do a piece looking at the events around its recording. I also snuck in a quick intervi...
www.daysoftheunderground.com
November 18, 2025 at 1:36 PM
You can now read the piece I did for Prog magazine on Hawkwind's 1974 album Hall Of The Mountain Grill online here: www.loudersound.com/music/albums...
But you might want to read the original, pre-edited version here 😉 www.daysoftheunderground.com/post/prog-in...
But you might want to read the original, pre-edited version here 😉 www.daysoftheunderground.com/post/prog-in...
For anybody who missed it last night 😉, here's your chance to hear me rambling on about Peter Hammill & VdGG, talking about my upcoming book Rock and Role, and most importantly, listen to a great selection of PH tracks. Enjoy... progzilla.com/the-progress...
The Progressive Rock Show broadcast Sunday 16th November 2025
If you would like to contact Graham please email [email protected]
progzilla.com
November 17, 2025 at 12:23 PM
For anybody who missed it last night 😉, here's your chance to hear me rambling on about Peter Hammill & VdGG, talking about my upcoming book Rock and Role, and most importantly, listen to a great selection of PH tracks. Enjoy... progzilla.com/the-progress...
I'm going to be on @progzilla.com radio tonight at 8pm (UK time) talking about all things Peter Hammill/VdGG, plus a selection of great PH tracks, all courtesy of Graham Harfleet and his Progressive Rock Show. Join us! progzilla.com/listen/
Progzilla
Progzilla Radio - The Show That Never Ends.
progzilla.com
November 16, 2025 at 1:04 PM
I'm going to be on @progzilla.com radio tonight at 8pm (UK time) talking about all things Peter Hammill/VdGG, plus a selection of great PH tracks, all courtesy of Graham Harfleet and his Progressive Rock Show. Join us! progzilla.com/listen/
Great essay here on SF satirist John Sladek, who should by rights be talked of as one of the greats of the new wave. This debut novel is great - and decidedly prescient - but his short stories are particularly wonderful. The collection Keep The Giraffe Burning is a good place to start...
The hiatus is over, and the self-replicating machines are on the loose - this week's article and podcast ep cover John Sladek's anarchic, comic debut SF novel The Reproductive System, AKA Mechasm (1968).
Silicon and steel: The Reproductive System (1968) by John Sladek
Machines run amok in a comic disaster ahead of its time
www.andyjohnson.xyz
November 16, 2025 at 11:06 AM
Great essay here on SF satirist John Sladek, who should by rights be talked of as one of the greats of the new wave. This debut novel is great - and decidedly prescient - but his short stories are particularly wonderful. The collection Keep The Giraffe Burning is a good place to start...
Reposted by Joe Banks
I'm speaking at the King Crimson Lizard listening party in London next month with mighty Jo Kendall and lovely Mike Barnes. We'll be exploring the album's turbulent background and aftermath, and listening to the 2025 Steven Wilson remix of this Crimson classic.
www.tickettailor.com/events/themo...
www.tickettailor.com/events/themo...
November 12, 2025 at 11:23 AM
I'm speaking at the King Crimson Lizard listening party in London next month with mighty Jo Kendall and lovely Mike Barnes. We'll be exploring the album's turbulent background and aftermath, and listening to the 2025 Steven Wilson remix of this Crimson classic.
www.tickettailor.com/events/themo...
www.tickettailor.com/events/themo...
In June 1992, Peter Hammill played his first shows in Argentina. He also appeared on the late night chat show Rebelde Sin Pausa, where he performed Just Good Friends, and Too Many Of My Yesterdays - IMO, one of his greatest ballads. This is an amazing version... 1/2
www.youtube.com/watch?v=FiAV...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=FiAV...
Peter Hammill - Too Many Of My Yesterdays (En vivo en la TV Argentina, Junio 1992)
YouTube video by Chivo AR
www.youtube.com
November 14, 2025 at 11:01 AM
In June 1992, Peter Hammill played his first shows in Argentina. He also appeared on the late night chat show Rebelde Sin Pausa, where he performed Just Good Friends, and Too Many Of My Yesterdays - IMO, one of his greatest ballads. This is an amazing version... 1/2
www.youtube.com/watch?v=FiAV...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=FiAV...
Reposted by Joe Banks
Postie delivered some goodies today (I had a mini-splurge following a conversation with @joebankswriter.bsky.social re an upcoming episode). Flicknife Records releases of 12" Hawkwind Zarozinia and 7" of Mike and the Deep Fix's Dodgem Dude/Starcruiser. Time for a spin!
November 12, 2025 at 3:17 PM
Postie delivered some goodies today (I had a mini-splurge following a conversation with @joebankswriter.bsky.social re an upcoming episode). Flicknife Records releases of 12" Hawkwind Zarozinia and 7" of Mike and the Deep Fix's Dodgem Dude/Starcruiser. Time for a spin!
Saw Sleeper last night @tpfilmclub.bsky.social. It's one of those films that's not as funny as when you saw it as a teenager, and Woody Allen's charms have diminished substantially, but spotting the SF film refs is diverting - lots from THX 1138, but also Fahrenheit 451 and 2001...
November 12, 2025 at 2:50 PM
Saw Sleeper last night @tpfilmclub.bsky.social. It's one of those films that's not as funny as when you saw it as a teenager, and Woody Allen's charms have diminished substantially, but spotting the SF film refs is diverting - lots from THX 1138, but also Fahrenheit 451 and 2001...
I don't really follow modern literary fiction at all, but I was pleased to see David Szalay win the Booker Prize last night with his novel 'Flesh'. I haven't read it, but his 2008 debut 'London And The South-East' is a terrifically funny/dark satire which I highly recommend...
November 11, 2025 at 12:38 PM
I don't really follow modern literary fiction at all, but I was pleased to see David Szalay win the Booker Prize last night with his novel 'Flesh'. I haven't read it, but his 2008 debut 'London And The South-East' is a terrifically funny/dark satire which I highly recommend...
How did Hawkwind get their name? The official line from 1972... (Melody Maker, 5 Feb 72) @breakfastruins.bsky.social
November 10, 2025 at 10:07 AM
How did Hawkwind get their name? The official line from 1972... (Melody Maker, 5 Feb 72) @breakfastruins.bsky.social
Whoop, the first review of Rock and Role: The Visionary Songs of Peter Hammill and Van der Graaf Generator is here, and it's a cracker from @mikebarnesjourno.bsky.social in MOJO...
November 8, 2025 at 3:33 PM
Whoop, the first review of Rock and Role: The Visionary Songs of Peter Hammill and Van der Graaf Generator is here, and it's a cracker from @mikebarnesjourno.bsky.social in MOJO...