Joe Banks

A Retreat Into Silence: Slowdive’s Pygmalion At 30

Ridiculed and written off, Slowdive produced a meditative post rock masterpiece before quietly splitting up. Joe Banks reflects on why no one was listening at the time, and why we all need to listen now. This article was originally published in 2020

In Search Of The US: How America Broke Hawkwind

With the publication of a revised and expanded edition of his book Sideways Through Time, Joe Banks tells the story of how Hawkwind tried to conquer America, but ended up self-destructing instead

Reissue of the Week: Can’s Live In Aston 1977

The latest in an ongoing series of live albums proves once again that Can were far from a spent force on stage in the post-Damo era, writes Joe Banks

New Hollywood Vs Mutant Cinema: The Flipside Of US Cinema, 1960s–80s

Joe Banks talks to the authors of a critical reappraisal of American filmmaking in the late twentieth century

Radical Speculation: Science Fiction As Revolution

Joe Banks speaks to Iain McIntyre, co-editor of illustrated essay collection *Dangerous Visions And New Worlds – Radical Science Fiction, 1950-1985*

Anna von Hausswolff

Live At Montreux Jazz Festival

A tremendous live set from Sweden’s mistress of ecstatic gloom

“A Burst Of Dirty Thunder”: The Rise And Fall Of Grebo

Joe Banks speaks to Rich Deakin about his new book, *Grebo! The Loud And Lousy Story Of Gaye Bykers On Acid And Crazyhead*

Robert Fripp’s Drive To 1981: King Crimson’s Discipline at 40

He had become art rock’s ultimate sideman, but Robert Fripp still had more to prove. Joe Banks charts the maverick guitarist’s progress from spiritual crisis in the 70s to musical reawakening in the 80s

Reissue Of The Week: Van Der Graaf Generator’s The Charisma Years 1970-1978

Van Der Graaf Generator may have been early figureheads of the progressive scene, but their love of noise and chaos marks them out as one of the UK’s greatest avant rock bands. Joe Banks dives deep into their classic era boxset and picks out some key tracks.

The Auteurs Sing Uber Hate: After Murder Park At 25

Self-hobbled and confined to a wheelchair, Luke Haines dug deep into middle England’s psychic hinterland to produce the definitive anti-Britpop album. Joe Banks reflects on a “monsterpiece” that still resonates today

The Strange World Of… Hawkwind

Joe Banks offers ten musical reasons why maverick space rock titans Hawkwind matter

Low Culture 8: Why The For Carnation Should Not Stand In Slint’s Shadow

Slint’s Spiderland is regularly cited as one of the most important albums of the last 30 years, yet its shadowy twin The For Carnation remains defiantly under the radar. Joe Banks makes the case for its re-evaluation while pondering the evolution of post-rock

A Retreat Into Silence: Slowdive’s Pygmalion At 25

Ridiculed and written off, Slowdive produced a meditative post rock masterpiece before quietly splitting up. Joe Banks reflects on why no one was listening at the time, and why we all need to listen now

Keto

Blackened Pool

Impressive debut album imbues millennial folk with post-rock tension

The Common Cold

Shut Up! Yo Liberals!

New prole art threat from Preston’s noise rock veterans

Douglas Dare

Aforger

Exploded View

Exploded View

I’m A Freak Baby

Various

Hedvig Mollestad Trio

Black Stabat Mater

Stian Westerhus

Amputation

Melanie De Biasio

Blackened Cities

The Last Hurrah Or The New Normal? Radiohead Live

Joe Banks went to see Radiohead live on Thursday night and witnessed a band who were fitter, happier and altogether more relaxed than they have been for years. Gallery of live pictures courtesy of Valerio Berdini

JuJu

JuJu

Breathless

Blue Moon

The Duke St Workshop

Tales Of H.P. Lovecraft

Krokofant

Krokofant II

EMA

#HORROR Original Score

Anna von Hausswolff

The Miraculous

Neo-Prog 35 Years On: Marillion, IQ, Pendragon Etc. Revisited

With Marillion riding high in the charts, 1985 was the peak year for neo-prog. Joe Banks relives his misplaced childhood, and wonders if any of the music from this scene bears revisiting now

Baron

Torpor

Various Artists

In A Moment… Ghost Box

Midday Veil

This Wilderness