Night of the Hawks: How an Underground Punk Label Catalyzed Lemmy's Reunion With Hawkwind
An interview with Frenchy Gloder of Flicknife Records
Martin Griffin (L) and Frenchy Gloder (R) after a Hawkwind gig in 1982
Upon being kicked out of Hawkwind and stranded in North America mid-tour in 1975 ("for doing the wrong drugs," as he was often quoted as saying), Lemmy wasted no time forming his next band, Motörhead. Named for the final song he'd recorded with Hawkwind, the impact of Motörhead is universally felt within underground music. But Lemmy's fondness for his time in Hawkwind was something he carried with him for the rest of his life.
In 1983, Lemmy reunited with his former Hawkwind bandmates for the song "Night Of The Hawks" from the EP of the same name. The track thumps with Lem's gasoline vocal track and buzzsaw bass line. Fans wanted more. Plans were made for further collaborations with Lemmy, but it was not to be, and this proved to be Lemmy's final studio recording with the band.
The EP was released by Flicknife Records, which was one of the most eclectic labels of the early '80s U.K. scene. While best known for their myriad of Hawkwind and related releases (including various side projects—such as the excellent Sonic Assassins 12", solo records, and compilations), Flicknife released some UK82 stompers as well, including records by Instant Agony, Major Accident, Ad Nauseam, Urban Dogs, and Erazerhead. Add in solo releases from Nikki Sudden (Swell Maps), Nico (Velvet Underground), Charlie Harper (UK Subs), and some Alien Sex Fiend, and it was a label with a serious caché of credibility.
In this interview Flicknife founder and label head Frenchy Gloder details how the reunion with Lemmy came to be, his involvement in the release and an assortment of other anecdotes. Some folks just know how to give a great interview and have an ability to tell a story, and Frenchy falls into that category as much as anyone we've had the pleasure of interviewing.
Frenchy is still in the trenches, supporting underground music. You can view the Flicknife Records website at: www.flickniferecords.co.uk
To accompany the interview, Mike Foster of the Analog Attack video series was kind enough to do an episode on some of his favorite Hawkwind records as well as recounting tales of seeing Hawkwind in the 1980s. It is entitled "A Sonic Attack by Analog Attack (1970-1988)" and can be seen here or on the Negative Insight YouTube channel. Mike's videos exhibit flawless taste interspersed with personal anecdotes, and this one has him diving deep into mid-paced Rogers, partied platters and, of course, tasty jams.
Mike came up living the chaos in the UK squat scene in the '80s and then went on to head up the label MCR UK in the '90s. He is a man of impeccable taste, quick wit and a keen sense of humor. Search Analog Attack on YouTube to view them or check them out at: youtube.com/user/analogviolence
Hawkwind 1986 – Official "Chronicle Of The Black Sword" promo picture signed by the band
NI: How'd you first meet Dave Brock and others in Hawkwind? When did you first become a fan of the band?
F: I first saw Hawkwind in 1972 in Lausanne, Switzerland, although DikMik swore it was in Lucerne... but it was in Lausanne! As I entered the hall, I found 50 tabs of acid!! I distributed it amongst the Freaks and we all had a great night. From that day, I was converted and spent the next six months following the band across Europe. The very first member of Hawkwind I spoke to was DikMik as he got me into a gig about two weeks later. When they played my hometown of Grenoble (France), I smoked a spliff with Nik Turner and that was my second encounter with a Hawk. Then I drifted on the hippy trail in India and lost contact a bit. I went back to France in summer 1976 and heard about 'punk' so I went to London. Hanging around with punks, I met Lemmy and we became friends. Also I got to know Nik quite well. By 1979, punk was out of breath so I decided to start Flicknife Records.
NI: How did a working relationship between Hawkwind and Flicknife begin? Were they without a label at the time? How'd it come up to work together?
F: I met Michael Moorcock at the Marquee and we started talking, as I was a big fan of his books and he was a Hawk too. We got on so well that I offered him a lift home as he lived about 10 minutes away from me. I told him I was running an indie label, and he mentioned he had a single left over from "The New World’s Fair" album and would I be interested in releasing it. I jumped on it! One thing led to another and next, we did the Robert Calvert single "Lord Of The Hornets." Both singles went into the indie charts and we got some good coverage from it. Then one day, I got a phone call from Dave Brock out of the blue: he wanted to release archive material and I was all for it. It grew from there and the band were having difficulties getting a deal with a major after Bronze. Although they got a deal with RCA, it didn't go well so they came over to us full time.
NI: Lemmy was initially pretty bitter about how things ended with Hawkwind getting left behind mid-tour. How did he and Dave Brock come to patch things up?
F: I was out with Lemmy and mentioned that we were doing this track called "Night Of The Hawks," that there was still work to be done on it. Then I told him I wanted to put the "DOREMI" line up together again for one last time. So I asked him how he'd feel to play bass and do backing vocals on "Night Of The Hawks." He said yes straight away, not a second of hesitation. I went on the lash a lot with Lem and in the wee hours, he always went back to Hawkwind. It was his first love. Dave and Lem got on well, so well in fact that Dave invited him to go down his place in Devon to finish the track! Lem remained bitter about being sacked from Hawkwind, but he knew how to move on...... and forgive.
NI: Whose idea was it to feature Lemmy on a new Hawkwind track? Any idea on the story of how it came about?
F: Read above. I asked him and he agreed. I told Dave "Why don't we get Lem to play bass and sing backing vocals: it's perfect for him." Dave said "OK, but you got to ask him." So the next night I did: I used to go out on the lash with Lem at least two or three nights a week so it made sense to work together. Apart from Dave and Lem, there was Huw Lloyd-Langton, and Nik Turner on that record so quite a few of the old crew.
Dave Brock (L) and Frenchy (R) at Hawkon 85 in 1985’
NI: Was it difficult getting permission from Bronze Records, who Lemmy and Motörhead were signed to at the time?
F: No. Bronze were always helpful. I knew Gerry Bron, and he liked the fact that new blood was coming up. They went bankrupt two or three years later!!
NI: Was there much anticipation and hype surrounding the release as it was a return to Hawkwind for Lemmy?
F: When you work on a record, you don’t really appreciate what’s happening around it. I knew that Lem being on the track was going to make some noise (in more ways than one!), but then Hawkwind fans are always eager when there is a new release, there is always anticipation and expectations. Lem cranked it up a couple of notches. I suppose everyone has their own dreams!
NI: Were you pleased with how it came out? What are your thoughts on it?
F: I was happy that we had managed to get four old boys together. I thought it was a great Hawkwind track and Lemmy added that touch that had been missing for so long. To me, it was the first proper Hawkwind track in years. When Lem comes in, in the chorus...... it still sends shivers down my spine. I thought we were going to go on and release a classic with "The Earth Ritual"... but fate had other ideas.
NI: Do you recall if there were any discussions about further collaborations between Lemmy and Hawkwind?
F: Of course there was. It was called "The Earth Ritual Preview," so we were going to do the whole of the "Earth Ritual" with Lem, Bob Calvert, Huwie, etc., but then Bob died and it all fell apart. So we did "Chronicle Of The Black Sword" instead, and there was no room for anyone else but the band and Mike Moorcock.
NI: Robert Heaton, who was the drummer of New Model Army, plays on this EP. This is a really interesting connection. Any idea how he came to the attention of Dave Brock or ended up in the band?
F: I believe that Robert Heaton played with Huwie in the Lloyd Langton Group and as Hawkwind had no drummer at the time (this was just before Clive Deamer came in), he was asked to sit in for the EP, although I don't think he was ever an official member. Clive, who was my roommate on tour, went on to play wIth Portishead, Radiohead, Jeff Beck, Robert Plant and many more.
NI: Anything else to add regarding the release of your friendships with Hawkwind or Lemmy?
F: I was friends with Lem and Nik before I started working with Hawkwind, and I was friends with Lem and Nik after I left. Hawkwind now is just a sad shadow of what was once the greatest band in the universe. Such a shame it had to end this way: I believe we could have recreated the "DOREMI/Space Ritual" era in the '90s and far into the future.
Special thanks to Frenchy at Flicknife Records for partaking in this interview.
All Hawkwind record photos from the collection of Mike Foster/Analog Attack @mikefoster67
