What Is To Be

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Exeter Hall, Oxford	10 December 2005
Bill: Assassins of Silence, plus Steve Litchfield Set list: Adjust Me - Utopia - Right to Decide - Lord of Light - Blue Shift - Damnation Alley - Moonglum - Silver Machine - Motorway City With a short acoustic intro from Steve Litchfield playing Down through the Night and Space is Deep, the Assassins launched into their last gig of 2005 with guest appearances from James Hodkinson on synths and vocals and Huw Lloyd-Langton on guitar. The odd technical problem aside, a loud and fun end to the year's gigging. Happy holiday season everyone.
The Harrow, Aylesbury	1 December 2005
Bill: Assassins of Silence First set: Sonic Attack - Utopia - Moonglum - D-Rider - Reefer Madness - Right to Decide - Magnu - Psychedelic Warlords - You're Only Dreaming/Motorway City Second set: Assault & Battery/Golden Void - Waiting for Tomorrow - Who's Gonna Win The War?/Angels of Death - Brainstorm - Master of the Universe/Where Are They Now? Encore: Kerb Crawler/Welcome to the Future/Silver Machine A few brave souls overcame the cold and wet December weather to support live music. Great to see people singing along and dancing to the Hawkwind tracks that they loved!
Snooker Club, Bicester, Oxfordshire	26 November 2005
Bill: Assassins of Silence, Mainstream, Soverin, Silver Penny Set list: Right to Decide - Magnu - Angels of Death - Utopia - Kerb Crawler - Brainstorm - Master of the Universe Despite the cold, the Snooker Club in Bicester saw an excellent turnout for all the bands for one of the last rock Saturdays of the year at the venue. The Assassins played a fast, rocky set, leaving the mellower ones for their last 2 gigs of the year...
Exeter Hall, Oxford	15 October 2005
Bill: Assassins of Silence, supported by The Mood Set list: Sonic Attack - Utopia - Moonglum - Reefer Madness - Assault & Battery/Golden Void - High Rise - Demented Man - Psi Power - Who's Gonna Win The War?/Angels of Death - Sword of the East - Master of the Universe/Where Are They Now? - Earth Calling/Shouldn't Do That - Psychedelic Warlords/Wind of Change Encore: Brainstorm - Kerb Crawler/Welcome to the Future Second encore: You're Only Dreaming/Motorway City A short but excellent set from the young Mood (keep an eye out for this band - they deserve to go far) led into a long-overdue return to the favourite Exeter Hall (blame Kevin for this!) for the Assassins. A shade under 2 hours of Hawkwind tunes for a very appreciative audience - they even wanted a second, unplanned encore! - also showcased some of the recent additions to the Assassins' set as yet unheard at the X: Kerb Crawler, Reefer Madness and a rehearsed version of Angels of Death! With Des taking to the stage in full Arthur Brown-esque costumery and masks, poi, stick and veil dancing from Guinevere and special guest from Ben Deschamps on flute, this really was a memorable evening, and we're looking forward to the next one (probably next year now) back at Alison's pub.
The Harrow, Aylesbury	6 October 2005
Bill: Assassins of Silence, supported by Steve Litchfield Set list: Spirit of the Age/Paranoia/Right to Decice - Utopia - You're Only Dreaming/Motorway City - Moonglum - Reefer Madness - Kerb Crawler - Dreaming City - Psi Power - Demented Man - High Rise - Assault & Battery/Golden Void - Earth Calling/Brainstorm - Sword of the East - Master of the Universe/Where Are They Now? Encore: Welcome to the Future/Silver Machine Following a very pleasant acoustic set from Steve (with spacey overtones - a poem by Terry Hawke, Down through the Night and Space is Deep that ended with a jam with the Assassins), the Aylesbury crowd were given a solid 90 minutes of classic Hawkwind tracks. A small stage, but a very big welcome...we're back there in December and February.
Coopers Venue, Bicester, Oxfordshire	30 September 2005
Bill: Assassins of Silence, Underground Zero, Grooveweird, BubbleDubble, Modal Logic plus special guests Set list: Moonglum - Utopia - You're Only Dreaming/Motorway City - Sword of the East - Brainstorm - Psychedelic Warlords - Silver Machine Joined once again by Huw Lloyd-Langton, the Assassins ran through a number of classic Huw numbers (Moonglum apparently being a highlight) and some old - yet often topical - favourites, with Guinevere making Sword of the East especially poignant. With 4 other bands on the bill, plus extreme lights from Lighthouse, this was a great spacerock evening all-round. We've now got an ever-growing selection of photos from the event.
The Baggot Inn, New York	17 September 2005
Set list: Brainstorm - Master of the Universe - Moonglum - Integration - Lord of Light - Golden Void - Silver Machine - Hurry On Sundown Dave and Kevin appeared as The One-Eyed Assassins with Mike Burro and Jay Adcock of Sloterdijk and the One-Eyed Bishops fame, to do a one-off performance in New York City. The odd technical problem marred a selection of mainly Hawkwind tunes with one of Mike's (Integration) thrown in too. Dave did indeed sell his bass at the end (hello Alona) but it's not because he's doing a Dave Brock and quitting after a US gig!
Heyford Beer Festival, Upper Heyford, Oxfordshire	21 August 2005
Set list: Spirit of the Age/Paranoia/Right to Decide - Master of the Universe/Where Are They Now? - High Rise - The Right Stuff - Shouldn't Do That - Reefer Madness - Brainstorm - Silver Machine So I was wrong...we got 2 days of lovely weather (now let's just hope it returns for the Bank Holiday next weekend) and another afternoon of live music in Oxfordshire. With sun blazing down on the festival and a delicious pig roast to fuel the band, the Assassins delivered a high octane performance to the suitably lubricated crowd. The delightful Guinevere was performing once again and she deserves a huge round of applause for a solid 45 minutes' worth of energetic dancing under a 30 degree sun!
SproutFest (aka Elder Stubbs Festival), Oxford	20 August 2005
'Acoustic' set list: Dreaming City - Demented Man - You're Only Dreaming Electric set list: Spirit of the Age/Paranoia/Right to Decide - Master of the Universe/Where Are They Now? - High Rise - The Right Stuff - Shouldn't Do That - Lord of Light/Welcome to the Future With Huw Lloyd-Langton: Silver Machine - Moonglum Fantastic weather led to a great turn-out and an enthusiastic, energetic and appreciative crowd. With a little bit of time befor Huw arrived, the Assassins did a quick 3 number mellow set which led nicely into Huw's own acoustic set (with Kevin joining on backing guitar for Rocky Paths and a guitar duet on Für Kirsty). Then, with belly dancer Guinevere (all the way from the wilds of west Wales!) putting in an excellent performance in front of the tent-stage. This was the first public performance for new drummer Joe whose powerful drumming seemed to go down well with the crowd. An unplanned rendition of Moonglum to round off the afternoon's entertainment with Huw joining the Assassins on stage was 'suitably awesome' (to coin a phrase). There are some great photos courtesy of Paul Brookes from the afternoon.
The Standard Music Venue, Walthamstow, London	8 July 2005
Bill: Assassins, supported by Lonesome Cabin Set list: Sonic Attack (reprise)/High Rise - Spirit of the Age/Paranoia/Right to Decide - Assault & Battery/Golden Void - Sword of the East - Lord of Light - Utopia - Psi Power - Children of the Sun - Ground Control to Pilot/The Right Stuff - Kerb Crawler - Brainstorm - Reefer Madness - Shouldn't Do That/Where Are They Now? Encore (with Huw): Dreaming City - Moonglum - Silver Machine It was good to see so many people turning up after Thursday's dreadful events, but even so, it was a much quieter Standard than normal. But those who were there made up for it with an abundance of energetic dancing. This was Simon's last gig with the band and a fine performance to end with - we wish him well with future musical ventures and welcome new drummer Joe who's already been seen and heard on the encore this evening. Apologies to anyone who came especially to see dancer Samantha Bond, but she inexplicably vanished on Friday afternoon and failed to show up or contact the band. James Hodkinson wrote: The Assassins delivered a powerful and convincing set. They did not quite offer the full range of effects associated with their stage show: both Kevin Perry (guitar and vocals) having had laser eye-surgery and Huw Lloyd-Langton, former Hawkwind guitar legend who joined the band for three numbers, preferring to do without the lasers or strobes. But just after 10 pm the projectors began swirling, the UV lamps were switched on and we were off into a tight, up-tempo and rocky set of predominantly seventies Hawkwind numbers. The Assassin's delivered as they do best, by putting their own stamp on songs that still remain recognisable and authentic. We were treated to more contemporary renditions of traditional pieces, such as the four chord thunder of Lord of Light, as well as more purist versions of older numbers: a slower tempo Assault and Battery with sixteen-beat hi-hat cymbal work reminiscent of the original from 'Warrior' and a semi-acoustic Psi Power complete with its synthy fanfare in the middle eight section. The ambience was authentic, complete with voiceovers (a teasing snippet from Sonic Attack could be heard) and Chris Crosskey's powerful electronic effects, which complemented a tight rhythm section and powerful guitar work. Lloyd-Langton's appearance marked the transition to 'Black Sword' era classics such as Moonglum and Dreaming City and also upped the volume. As well as a rather meagre and lacklustre crowd - fans possibly scared off by the previous day's events - the band had to overcome a couple of other blips: a new dancer who failed to turn up, the transition from now established and highly proficient drummer Simon Murdoch (departing for pastures new) to a new member Joe Chapman who had yet to rehearse. However, groovy numbers like Kerb Crawler still convinced people to dance and from mid-set onwards things were in full flight. Given the context, the Assassins continued to do their bit to keep this sort of music alive and dangerous and, on this day more than most, keep the flag of freedom flying. Follow this flag soon to a venue near you and experience them live. You are assured to come out with your ears ringing and your eyes burning, which is something not even the mighty Hawks can promise every time.
Ruskin Arms, East Ham, London	17 June 2005
Bill: Assassins, supported by Grooveweird  Set list: High Rise - Right to Decide - Moonglum - Kerb Crawler - Psi Power - Children of the Sun - Reefer Madness - Brainstorm - Ground Control to Pilot/The Right Stuff - Master of the Universe/Where Are They Now? A somewhat shortened set due to an excessively late running evening.
The Rhonda Hotel, Cymmer, Porth, Wales	30 April 2005
Bill: Assassins First set: Spirit of the Age/Paranoia/Right to Decide - Assault & Battery/Golden Void - High Rise - Psi Power - Demented Man - Down through the Night/Children of the Sun - Master of the Universe/Where Are They Now? Second set:: In The Egg/Brainstorm - Moonglum - Reefer Madness - D Rider - Ground Control to Pilot/The Right Stuff - Waiting for Tomorrow - Shouldn't Do That - You're Only Dreaming/Motorway City - Welcome to the Future/Silver Machine Avoiding a possible unfortunate incident with Hungarian Lettuce (oh - good prog band name!) en route, the Assassins arrived in the picturesque Welsh town of Porth to unleash 2 hours of space rock on an appreciative audience. Awesome versions of Reefer Madness and Silver Machine (which included excerpts of Born To Go and Flying Doctor!) and the new Waiting for Tomorrow must put this as one of the Assassins' best gigs.
The Zodiac, Cowley Road, Oxford	8 April 2005
Bill: Assassins, The Mon£yshots, The E Band Set list: Spirit of the Age/Paranoia/Right to Decide - Brainstorm - Assault & Battery/Golden Void - High Rise - The Right Stuff - Moonglum - Reefer Madness - Motorway City A sadly quiet venue saw the return of Des McGovern to the Assassins' fold for a short support slot - maybe the snow (yes, snow in April!) kept people away...
The Standard Music Venue, Walthamstow, London	19 March 2005
Bill: Assassins, supported by Valium Special guest: Huw Lloyd-Langton Set list: Spirit of the Age/Paranoia/Right to Decide - Assault & Battery/Golden Void - In the Egg/Brainstorm - Magnu - High Rise - Demented Man - Psi Power - Down through the Night/Children of the Sun - D Rider - Reefer Madness - Master of the Universe/Where Are They Now? Encore (with Huw): Moonglum - Welcome to the Future/Motorway City - Silver Machine With Valium standing in at the last minute to provide support, and another short-but-sweet acoustic set from Huw finished, the Assassins were back on stage in the East End at last. Running through their usual favourites, they also managed to slip in some newer tracks unheard in London: Psi Power, Reefer Madness (how apt given the current debate), D Rider and even In The Egg! Huw has also contributed some guitar and vocals to an Assassins' recording of Moonglum that should be available soon.
Exeter Hall, Oxford	28 January 2005
Bill: Assassins supported by Huw Lloyd-Langton First set: Spirit of the Age - In The Egg - Reefer Madness - Assault & Battery/Golden Void - Magnu - Brainstorm - D Rider - High Rise - Down Through The Night - Demented Man - Children of the Sun - Uncle Sam's On Mars - Right to Decide - Master of the Universe/Where Are Thet Now? Second set (with Huw): Moonglum - Dreaming City - Sword of the East - You're Only Dreaming/Motorway City - Silver Machine Encore: Angels of Death After a short but sweet acoustic set from Huw ending with Dave and Kevin joining him for Hurry On Sundown and Solitary Mind Games, the Assassins launched into a 90 minute set with a mix of Exeter Hall favourites and some fresh tracks. And In The Egg. At the end, Huw - now electrified - came back to the stage for a few of his tracks from his Hawkwind days and (of course) an extended jam on Silver Machine and an impromptu version of Angels of Death (we really ought to rehearse this one sometime). We hope to be back at the Exeter Hall in July (builders permitting!).
The Star, Bicester, Oxfordshire	15 January 2005
Bill: Assassins First set: Paranoia/Silver Machine - Utopia - Assault & Battery/Golden Void - Moonglum - Brainstorm - High Rise - Demented Man - Children of the Sun - Reefer Madness Second set: Spirit of the Age - Sword of the East - D Rider - Fifth Second of Forever/Dreaming City - Psi Power - Uncle Sam's On Mars - You're Only Dreaming/Motorway City - Right to Decide - Master of the Universe/Where Are They Now? Encore: Magnu - Silver Machine Well, we promised 2 hours of classic space rock and that's what you got. After kicking off unexpectedly (ha - that'll teach you to get there late!) with Silver Machine, you got new arrangements of Assassins' standards (Spirit of the Age and Uncle Sam's On Mars), a new song (D Rider) and finishing with an impromptu encore consisting of Magnu and a Lemmy-inspired repeat of Silver Machine. No Kerb Crawler though.
Cooper School, Bicester, Oxfordshire	7 January 2005
Bill: Girls Are Louder, Bop 'Til You Drop, Assassins, Andensum, ATN Set list: Right to Decide - Spirit of the Age - Psi Power - Sword of the East - Reefer Madness - Master of the Universe A very worthwhile cause for the first gig of the new year - thanks to all the other bands and the audience who between them raised over £3000 for the victims of the 2004 tsunami. A few photos from the gig have been added to the ever-expanding Coopers' gallery. Thanks to Kevin Smith for photos.