What Is To Be

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The Hobgoglin, Bicester	23 November 2006
Bill: Assassins of Silence, Inacun Set list: Utopia - Standing on the Edge/Assault & Battery/Golden Void - Magnu - Right to Decide - The Fifth Second of Forever/Master of the Universe/Where Are They Now? - Lord of Light - You're Only Dreaming/Motorway City - Brainstorm/Camera That Could Lie/Brainstorm/Welcome to the Future An unfortunate set of technical hitches marred the last gig of the year, but that didn't stop a tight hour's set with some outstanding moments (Where Are They Now? got the crowd singing along!),
The White Horse, Highworth (near Swindon)	18 November 2006
Bill: Assassins of Silence First set: Spirit of the Age/Paranoia/Right to Decide - Standing on the Edge/Assault & Battery/Golden Void - Magnu - The Fifth Second of Forever/Master of the Universe/Where Are They Now? Second set: Lord of Light - High Rise - Sonic Attack - Utopia - You're Only Dreaming/Motorway City - The Right Stuff/Blue Shift/Brainstorm/Camera That Could Lie/Brainstorm/Welcome To The Future First encore: Moonglum Second encore: Reefer Madness What a great small country pub! Obviously the people of Highworth love their live music, as there was a great crowd (some of whom had even walked miles to get there...now that's dedication!) who even made us do an impromptu second encore (I think they'd have kept us there all night if they could have). Hopefull we'll be touching down again here in the New Year.
Exeter Hall, Oxford	30 September 2006
Bill: Assassins of Silence, supported by Breathe Set list: Spirit of the Age/Paranoia/Right to Decide - Standing on the Edge/Assault & Battery/Golden Void - Magnu - Fifth Second of Forever/Master of the Universe/Where Are They Now? - Children of the Sun - High Rise - Sonic Attack/Utopia - You're Only Dreaming/Motorway City - The Right Stuff/Blue Shift/Brainstrom/Camera That Could Lie/Brainstorm/Welcome to the Future Encore: Moonglum After a comfortably numb and excellent set from Pink Floyd tribute band, Breathe, the Assassins played their first gig at the rebuilt - and sonically superior - X (Exeter Hall). With previous drummer Simon Murdoch standing in for sadly absent Carl, the band revisited some highlights from his stint with the band, including High Rise and Children of the Sun. An hour and 45 minutes' worth of high quality spacerock was the result, with dancing and a multitude of costumes provided by Jo Ashbeth Coffey.
Jericho Tavern, Oxford	1 September 2006
Bill: Assassins of Silence, plus Cyndee Lee Rule, Upstream Providers Set list: The Watcher - Magnu - Standing on the Edge/Assault & Battery/Golden Void - The Right Stuff/Blue Shift/Brainstorm/Camera That Could Lie/Brainstorm - Lord of Light - Kerb Crawler Despite Harvey Bainbridge being unfortunately unable to make it (stuck in his box maybe?), the Assassins put on an hour's set of mainly 70's Hawkwind material. Joined by Cyndee for the second half of the show, plus her husband Geoff on flute (looking suitably Nik Turner-ish in shades and shaven head), the full sound was complemented by an excellent lightshow from Photon Weaver and a great crowd.
Garth Park, Bicester, Oxfordshire	27 August 2006
Bill: Acoustic Assassins, plus other local bands Set list: Psi Power - The Fifth Second of Forever/Dreaming City - Down through the Night - Solitary Mind Games - Hurry On Sundown The Assassins of Silence? Acoustically? Oh yes indeed. Dave, Des and Kevin did a short but very sweet acoustic set to open Bicester's 'end of summer' festival, once again getting lucky with the weather!
Heyford Beer Festival, Upper Heyford, Oxfordshire	20 August 2006
Bill: Assassins of Silence, plus others. Set list: Spirit of the Age - Utopia - Standing on the Edge/Assault & Battery/Golden Void - Master of the Universe/Where Are They Now? - You're Only Dreaming/Motorway City - The Right Stuff/Blue Shift/Brainstorm/Camera That Could Lie/Brainstorm - The Watcher Encore: Moonglum Another return visit in aid of a good cause saw some unusual costumes and a full-on sound...in daylight too! As one satisfied punter said: "Au-bloody-thentic!"
Elder Stubbs Festival, Oxford	19 August 2006
Bill: Assassins of Silence, plus others Set list: Spirit of the Age - Utopia - Standing on the Edge/Assault & Battery/Golden Void - High Rise - Children of the Sun - The Right Stuff/Blue Shift/Brainstorm/Camera That Could Lie/Brainstorm Encore (with Huw Lloyd-Langton): Dreaming City - Moonglum Sproutfest II: The Cabbage Strikes Back. Fortunately dodging the horrendous weather over the weekend, the Assassins performed to an enthusiastic and appreciative crowd. Joined by Huw for a couple of his songs and percussionist Jamie Behringer, this was a definite excellent festival performance.
The Attic, Rushden, Northants	5 August 2006
Bill: Assassins of Silence, plus DJ Terry Hawke Set list: Spirit of the Age - Sword of the East - Standing On The Edge/Assault & Battery/Golden Void - High Rise - Utopia - Right to Decide - Moonglum - Fifth Second of Forever/Master of the Universe/Where Are They Now? - Children of the Sun/You're Only Dreaming/Motorway City - Reefer Madness - The Watcher Encore: The Right Stuff/Blue Shift/Brainstorm/Camera That Could Lie/Brainstorm Another swelteringly hot venue didn't stop the Assassins from delivering a 2 hour set of Hawkwind material covering from 70s through to the 90s, with a full lightshow by Photon Weaver. Hopefully, we'll be back here sometime soon when the word has spread round Rushden that this is a SHOW!
Snooker Club, Bicester, Oxfordshire	29 July 2006
Bill: Assassins of Silence, Mainstream, The Argonauts Set list: Spirit of the Age - Utopia - The Right Stuff/Blue Shift/Brainstorm - Reefer Madness - Brainstorm/Camera That Could Lie/Brainstorm - The Watcher Encore: Moonglum, with drum solo! With up-and-coming London band The Argonauts headlining on a swealteringly Saturday in a somewhat sweaty Snooker Club, the Assassins put on a tight and much appreciated set, with Des fully getting into the Ron Tree/Robert Calvert character. And we have the photos to prove it!
Bicester Carnival, Bicester, Oxfordshire	2 July 2006
Bill: Assassins of Silence, plus Good Mourning, Inacun, Mainstream Set list: Earth Calling - Utopia - Spirit of the Age - Right to Decide - The Watcher - You're Only Dreaming/Motorway City - Brainstorm/Camera That Could Lie/Brainstorm A blazingly hot morning obviously made it hard work for the council to get things organised on time, but the show eventually went ahead, with 4 bands waking up a Bicester possibly recovering from the day before's football. Despite technical problems, the Assassins did their bit and even managed to incorporate a marching band, several clowns and puppets of Blair and Thatcher into their set...quite a surreal gig!
Rock in the Rec, Arborfield Cross, Berkshire	24 June 2006
Charity festival in aid of Dreamflight (click here for full details about the event). Set list: Earth Calling - Utopia - Spirit of the Age - High Rise - Right to Decide - The Watcher - You're Only Dreaming/Motorway City - Reefer Madness Another baking hot day for an outdoor festival (we're very lucky on this front) saw the Assassins put in a tight lunchtime set (sadly taking us away from the excellent pig roast). Expect some photos and videos from the event soon.
Exeter Hall, Oxford	9 June 2006
Bill: Assassins of Silence, plus Glenda Huish, Hangman Joe Set list: Living on a Knife Edge/The Watcher - The Right Stuff/Blue Shift/Brainstorm/Moonglum - High Rise - Standing on the Edge/Assault & Battery/Golden Void - Magnu - Master of the Universe/Where Are They Now? - Spirit of the Age - Utopia - You're Only Dreaming/Motorway City Encore: Angels of Death - Silver Machine/Welcome to the Future Re-visiting some old favourites for the first time in months (Spirit of the Age, High Rise) together with some new favourites (The Watcher) and some extended segues, an excellent lightshow and sound, this was an Assassins' gig to remember. They'll be back in early September with guest Cyndee Lee Rule fresh from Tim Blake's UK tour.
The Grand Junction, Buckingham	20 May 2006
Bill: Assassins of Silence, Dayshift, Alicesyndrome; DJ Kozmik Ken. Set list: Living on a Knife Edge/The Watcher - Magnu - The Right Stuff/Blue Shift/You're Only Dreaming/Motorway City - Standing on the Edge/Assault & Battery/Golden Void - Moonglum - Master of the Universe/Where Are They Now? Encore: Sonic Attack/Lord of Light/Welcome to the Future A great instumental (Ozrics-esque) set from Alicesyndrome followed by a tight and heavier set from Dayshift, interspersed with spacey tracks from Kozmik Ken, set the tone for the evening. A great lightshow, amazingly costumed dancers (Guinevere returns for her first gig with the Assassins since last year's Spacerock Spectacular) showed the new line-up Assassins in fine fettle. Expect some mind-blowing photos from the evening in the next few days!
The Corridor, Cowley Road, Oxford	15 May 2006
Bill: Assassins of Silence, supported by The Gullivers Set list: Living on a Knife Edge/The Watcher - Right to Decide - Master of the Universe/Where Are They Now? - Magnu - Standing on the Edge/Assault & Battery/Golden Void - Moonglum - Brainstorm - You're Only Dreaming/Motorway City Encore: Silver Machine/Welcome to the Future Monday nights are never the busiest for live music, so all credit to the organisers at The Corridor for making a great effort to promote the gig - would that more venues worked like this! After The Gullivers' musical excursions (sorry!), the Assassins played a fairly short set to a small but appreciative audience.
The Corner Room, Pub Oxford, Oxford	6 May 2006
Bill: Assassins of Silence, supported by Hibachi Dealers Set list: Living on a Knife Edge/The Watcher - Angels of Death - The Right Stuff - Right to Decide - Master of the Universe/Where Are They Now? - Magnu - Standing on the Edge/Assault & Battery/Golden Void - Dreaming City - Moonglum - You're Only Dreaming/Motorway City - Lord of Light/Welcome to the Future Encore: Silver Machine An unfortunately quiet (in terms of the audience anyway!) Saturday evening saw the first full-length gig with drummer Carl. And a fine heavy performance it was from everyone involved, together with an awesome lightshow with lasers and projections a-plenty. Thanks to the Hibachi Delaers for making the trip all the way from Cambridge...hope for a return match soon! Carl Anderson wrote: More interesting to most BOC-L members, though, would have been the Assassin's set, which I thought (quite objectively) as excellent throughout and had several real standout moments. You'd never know they playing (what I think was) the first gig with a new drummer, as they ripped through everything with aplomb. I didn't jot up notes on the setlist or anything (that would have meant putting down my beer!) but it was pretty broad-ranging, taking it most eras of HW from oldest to newest. I was pleased to hear "Right to Decide", and thought the navigation of "Golden Void" (out of "Assault and Battery") was fantastic, with excellent instrumental work that really made you forget that you were standing in a pub venue -- you could have been long long ago in a galaxy far far away. "Moonglum" did a great job of reminding me how catchy that song is, despite the (honestly objectively inane!) lyrics. I'm not usually much one for bellowing along with the chorus at gigs in football chant stylee ;) but I couldn't help but piping up for lines like "Myshella now replacing Queen Yishana". I mean: that's just great :) There was a nice "Magnu", too, in which the guitarist worked in a little tease of "Hassan I Sabha", and I remember another brief tease of one song in another (possibly a bit of "Paranoia" in something else?) but can't remember. Anyway, it was good stuff! I don't think any UK Hawkwind fans would be disappointed by the Assassins: songs you love played by people who, obviously enough, love them. They've a bunch of Oxford-area gigs coming up through the summer, at least one further north, and then also the Nantymoel fest in Wales, so you've some hope of catching them!
Snooker Club, Bicester, Oxfordshire	25 March 2006
Bill: Assassins of Silence, Andensum, Lightbox, Good Mourning Set list: Magnu - Brainstorm - Moonglum - Master of the Universe/Where Are They Now? - Silver Machine A very wet (hey, we need the rain!) Saturday evening didn't stop a horde of Bicester music fans from turning up to the Assassins' first Snooker Club gig of 2006. New Assassins drummer Carl was in action for the first time, helping give a fast and heavy performance for the crowd to dance along to. It also looks like a certain Mr Lecter was guesting with the band...
Exeter Hall, Oxford	18 February 2006
Bill: Assassins of Silence, supported by The Mood First set: Standing on the Edge/Assault & Battery/Golden Void - Magnu - Utopia - Lord of Light - High Rise - Moonglum - The Fifth Second of Forever/Master of the Universe/Where Are They Now? Second set: Spirit of the Age/Paranoia/Right to Decide - Living on a Knife Edge/Brainstorm - Dreaming City - Shouldn't Do That - You're Only Dreaming/Motorway City - Blue Shift/Damnation Alley/Welcome to the Future/Kerb Crawler The first gig of the year back at The X (Exeter Hall) saw Kat's welcome return to the fold, as well as the 'new' line-up first seen at here last December. Along a bit of a topical political commentary, an awesome lightshow and a birthday present for Chris, there were also a host of spacerock classics. For those of you who missed it (shame on you!), there are some excellent photos available, and a live recording was made of the gig, so you may just be able to hear it.
The Harrow, Aylesbury	2 February 2006
Bill: Assassins of Silence First set: Spirit of the Age/Paranoia/Right to Decide - Utopia - Lord of Light - High Rise - Moonglum - Master of the Universe/Where Are They Now? Second set: Standing At The Edge/Assault & Battery/Golden Void - Brainstorm - Sword of the East - Dreaming City - Shouldn't Do That - You're Only Dreaming/Motorway City - Blue Shift/Damnation Alley/Welcome to the Future/Silver Machine Sub-zero temperatures didn't stop the music lovers of Aylesbury flocking to the Harrow to dance and sing along with the Assassins. Two 45 minute sets of Hawkwind material covering the 1970's to the early 1990's saw the band in fine form, with highlights including Des's masterful Calvert-esque rantings in Utopia about the perils of the modern world and the set's new addition Damnation Alley. The band should be back later this year.
City Tavern, Oxford	22 January 2006
Bill: Assassins of Silence, Dirty Sci-Fi Set list: Utopia - Assault & Battery/Golden Void - Moonglum - Brainstorm - Blue Shift/Damnation Alley First outing of 2006 saw a short set supporting new Oxford band Dirty Sci-Fi, and was the first full gig with new keyboard/synth player James Hodkinson. Personal injury, parking tickets and cold weather aside, a loud way to kick off the New Year! Some photos from the gig courtesy of Kevin Smith are now up on the site.