Hawkwind

United Kingdom, 1969–now

London band formed in 1969, the pioneers of space rock. Hypnotic, sci-fi-drenched jams ('Silver Machine', the album Space Ritual) — with Lemmy on bass before Motörhead — made them a countercultural institution and a bridge to punk and metal.

MusicRoots documents 3 artists who influenced Hawkwind and 2 artists Hawkwind influenced in turn. Every connection cites a published source.

Who influenced Hawkwind?

• The Velvet Underground — The Velvet Underground's droning, hypnotic minimalism is a key influence on Hawkwind's repetitive space-rock jams (their 'Kiss of the Velvet Whip' nods to them).
• Pink Floyd — Pink Floyd's early psychedelic space explorations are a clear influence on Hawkwind — they even covered 'Cymbaline'.
• Can — Can's krautrock repetition and motorik drive are part of the hypnotic foundation of Hawkwind's space rock.

Which artists did Hawkwind influence?

• L7 — Named in the same list — the drone and the sludge under the punk speed.
• Monster Magnet — The space-rock half of Monster Magnet's sound, beside the MC5's garage attack.