Space Lords
Nik Turner and Killing Joke bassist/remixer extraordinaire Youth have reunited for a return journey to kosmische city with Interstellar Energy. Prog catches up with the pair to find out the story behind their inspired collaboration and their future plans.
Words: Rob Hughes Portraits: Jaime Walfisch and Elkanah Evans
Martin ‘Youth’ Glover: mixing it up.
“When I was still at school, I remember buying Hawkwind’s Warrior On The Edge Of Time.”
Youth
“It’s all about Nik for me,” raves Youth. “He’s the great time lord of space and cosmic psychedelia, one of the true 60s innovators and pioneers. I love his egalitarian passion for music. And let’s not forget that he’s in the tradition of the great British mystics, there’s a magical energy around him that’s very powerful. He’s a space warrior, a grand old wizard of the cosmos.”
It’s fair to say that Youth is enthused. The celebrated producer and Killing Joke bassist is talking up his latest collaboration with ex-Hawkwind magus, Nik Turner. Backed by The Space Falcons, Interstellar Energy sees the pair voyage deep into heliospheric space rock, fuelled by rhythmic kosmische and a keen sense of discovery. A thrilling ride it is too. Improvised riffs, drones and pulses push upwards and outwards, cooled by Turner’s pure, melodic sax lines.