“I’m wired-up for sound,” claims Brock on the title track of this LP, originally released on the Flicknife imprint; indeed, it’s hardwired into his DNA. Brock’s devoted himself to Hawkwind for over 40 years, but there have been fallow periods – and ’83 was one of the more pronounced, resulting in this collection of solo pieces from his home studio, released early the following year.
Some, such as Green Finned Demon, were later incorporated into the Hawkwind set; in that instance the song was abruptly pulled only to reappear when a different line-up were able to vividly nail it. Others, though, see Brock veering slightly from the tried and trusted format and stretching his creative legs, experimenting a bit and giving the boundaries a gentle nudge. It’s like Hawkwind, but a tad different.
Very welcome among the bonus material is the inclusion of the two tracks featured on the hard-to-come-by Dr Technical & The Machines 7”, issued by Hawkwind Feedback’s Brian Tawn (see our Hawkwind collectables feature in RC 360).
No one would argue that this album ranks alongside the really classic entries in Hawkwind’s back catalogue but, partly because of its undeniable charm and for what Dave Brock means to the still legion Hawk fans, it’s much loved nonetheless.
